The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-10-13


q half speeches today was the pro-
gramme in the Haywood Skinner mur-
der trial and the Indications are now
that the speaking will extend late into
Tuesday, perhaps taking the whole day.
Colonel j. c. L. Harris finished his
speech for the defense this morning
and held that Haywood shot solely be-
cause he thought it necessary, and cited
the holes in SINNERS clothes and the
location of the wound to show this. He
argued for the good character OF
Schmitz and Bernard, witnesses for
Haywood.
Mr.. w. n. Jones followed for the de-
fense- His argument was as the others
and he declared the state had engaged
in personal prosecution as shown in
the violent attacks on the defense wit
nesses. He declared it was Impossible
for the second shot to have struck Skin
ner, who with a pistol in his pocket was
ready to shoot Haywood.
Mr.. r. c. Strong spoke for the state
and argued that the defense witnesses
had contradicted each other and dis
sected the testimony of Schmitz and
HOcutt. He said that it was the first
shot that struck Skinner and that if
he did then put his hand in his pocket,
he had the right as he was Seing shot a t.
Mr.. j. y. Holding consumed the clos
ing hours of the morning session and
all the afternoon for the defense. He
reviewed every phase of the killing,
showed how tho evidence all dovetail-
ed and claimed self defense for Hay
wood.
Especial to The Messenger)
Raleigh, \. c., October 1O.-In the
Haywood murder trial today, J. c. l..
Harris for the Defense concluded his
speech begun yesterday He devoted
much time to endorsement of the t2S-
timony of Schmitz. HOcutt, and other
Witnesses for the defense. and claimed
that it was proven that Skinner WaS
trying TO draw his pistol when Hay
fact alone, without the testimony OF
witnesses. was enough to show Skin
ner'S attitude at the time. and that
Haywood had the entire right. under
such circumstances to protect his lie.
He declared that then HayWOOdS life
was in danger. and now it is his liberty
and reputation, and that the jury
could, by the verdict of acquittal,
change his face to a perfect sunrise.
Wesley y. Jones followed for the de-
fense. He said the place of tragedy
was the most public in Raleigh. He
asked who selected the place, declGr-
inS that Haywood did not though ke
had a pistol but that Skinner selected
il. How bitter was the feeling of the
public ut that time. but now the affair
Is getting in the white light. To ,hiS
language. Solicitor Daniel objected.
Judge PEBBLES sustained the objection.
Jones continuing said this was the day
of vindicaUon for Robert \. Simin-
and for Haywood. He spoke o. lie
good appearance Of Witness SChnH-z
on the stand ana charged the attack C.l
HOcutts character to mali"nancy dIId
ignorance. He claimed il was impossi-
BILE for Skinner To have been hit by the
second shot. Even if Skinner had HAD
TO pistol il would have been moth
ing more than mauSIIugdter. JOaeS
described the meeting of Haywood dEd
Skinner. saying that Haywood Went
10 the court house. transacted his bII..-
mess. came on UP the street. 4 dom
know whether Skinner saw him or nos.
Skinner went into the postoffice. th-r
the men met. Haywood it seems was
trying u pIIcate Skinner. There i:
something back of it all. SAID Jones
4 don't know what. but Haywood vas
trying 70 explain. and Skinner knockcl
him down What was 4 pedce.toi:
man like skinner doing with a pistol
unless he intended using it? If i ul2-
ever made out 81 complete self defense
il IS Ernest Haywood.
Robert g Strong. followed for III,
state. who said that the defense IA,
tried To prove that the states Wit
nesses had lied but had failed. Di,
any one believe that SaulS would e.
ter u court and swear away a man
life? The burden OF the truth is on tn
defense 10 show that the killing wa
in self defense. The defendants wit
neses cOntradicted themselves. The:r
were three carriages in front of III
postOffice. making it almost impossI 81
for SchmitZ and Hocutt to have see1
what they SwOre they saw. Thci
testimony is thoroughly cOntradicteG
Why should we find a motive for thei
testimony when we have witnesses I
contradict their testimony? .Schmit
gained confidence ia his testimon