Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1903-10-22
Raleigh Post, Oct. 18th

hdi6ISH Eoct- SCj. lOhH
The jury il the trial OF Nj. Eraesi
Haywood for killing Mr.. Ludloa
Skinner in front of the post Office OF
the afternoon of Saturday, February
21st, 1903, returned q verdict of '3o.
guilty" al 1915 yesterday, after ne.
ing out only fifteen minutes.
Col. ThOs. ii. Argo concluded his
argument for the defense at 11:2O.
and at 1870 Judge Robert Peehles
began his charge to the jury. This
consumed an hour and at 1890 the
jury retired to make up their ver-
dict.
The court DON was crowded by
spectators, many Of them warm
friends Of the defendant, who had
gathered to witness the outcome Of
the longest criminal trial in the his
tory of Wake county. When the
jury retired many of the crowd be-
gan to thin out so the court room
Was by no mean packed when a
knock was heard on the door Of the
jury room just fifteen minutes later
and the jury filed in.
Judge PEBBLES Immediately or
dered Sheriff Page to station dep
uties in different parts of the court
house and arrest any man who made
any demonstration of approval or
disapprovai when the jury gave It's
verdict.
Mr.. Ernest Haywood, the defend
ant, had stepped out of the court
room but he was quickly summoned
and took his seat, surrounded by
his devoted brothers, Mr.. A. w.
Haywood, DR.. Hubert Haywood
and Mr. Edgar Haywood, who have
ever STOOD by him throughout the
trying ORC al. Mr.. John G. Winder
and Rev, DR.. Thomas E. Skinner,
the venerable father Of the deceased.
occupied their usual seats yesterday
just behind the five prosecuting at
torneys. Solicitor Daniel was not
in the court house when the verdict
was given.
Deputy Clerk Register called over
the names Of the twelve jurors and
each answered "here," as a death
like stiffness pervaded the court
room. "Have you agreed upon your
verdict?' he asked and the reply
came, cove have" Mr.. E. P. Wigs,
the spokesman Of the jury, rose ana
Mr.. Ernest Haywood stood up facing
the jurors, "What say you, is the de-
endant, Ernest Haywood, guilty or
not guilty as charged in the bill of
indictnlent?" "Not guilty." was
the quick response and every juror
orally gave his assent.
"Gentlemen OF the jury, the court
feels that ii would be dereIIct In It's
duty in djscharging YOU without
thanking you for your patient atten-
ton given to the evidence and the
many speeches of counsel, and the
patient, faithful discharge of your
duty" said Judge PEBBLES. "I know
there has been a good deal Of public
opinion about this case, and a great
deal said about it, but public opinion
is sometimes, and very frequently
erroneous. / say to you, IN your be-
half, that Z do not see how you could
have done otherwise upon the evil
dence before you. Whether there is
anything behind this evidence or not
is not for you or the court to say.
From the evidence before you think
your verdict was eminently proper.
For some or other, unknown
to you and unknown to me, on the
evening of the 21st of February,
1903, MI. Ludlow Skinner, reputed
10 be one of the most peaceful Of men
an all the land, saw fit to commit an
assault upon Mr.. Ernest Haywood,
and. SO far as the court a see, with
out any provocation. That assault
resulted in his death, and that is to
be deplored; but the court thinks
that o have discharged your duty
and found exactly the verdict which
the court would have found had it
been in your place. You are dis