The Savannah morning news., 1903-04-08
TRIAL OF TILLMAN
HE is TO APPEAR IN COURT TO
ANSWER CHARGE
OF NUMBERING GONZALES.
GRAND JURY FOUND A TRUE BILL
AGAINST HIM.

TIIIman Is to BE ArrniEned In Adj
vance of the Time Anticipated-It
Was Thought His First Appear
nnce in Court Would BE Next
MOndny-Any One of Several Mo-
tiOns May BE Made by His COun-
seI-PrOminent Lawyers Are RE-
tanned in the Case.
Columbia, S. c., April 7.-Col. James
II. Tillman is expected to appear in
court tomorrow morning for the first
time to answer for the killing of Mr..
n. g. Gonzales.
This is a somewhat unexpected turn
in the case. The general understands
ing has been that the case would be
called for trial on Monday, and that
both siChs would announce their read
mess for trial to proceed. Under the
expectation that the trial would be-
gin on next Monday, the states wit
nesses have been summoned for that
time, and all arrangements have been
made with that view.
The grand jury of the county, hav-
ing returned true bill against James
H. Tillman for the killing of Mr.
Gonzales this morning at the open
ing of court, Solicitor Thurmond, so
as 10 comply with the letter of the
law, said that, as he saw counsel for
Col. Gilman in court, he would sug-
gest that the arraignment of the prls-
oner take place Tomorrow. Under
the law the defense can claim three
days for preparation after the ar
raignment and so that this time would
not be claimed next week. Solicitor
Thurmond made the suggestion. AS
q usual thing, the arraignment Is
waived.
This morning Congressman George
w. Croft suggested that arraignment
be fixed FOR tomorrow morning, up
on the assembling of the court. This
was agreed to. The request of coun-
sci for a fcimal arraignment and TX
ing an hour was generally regarded
as indicative of a purpose to make a
motion in connection with the case
May Announce Ready.
When the hearing takes place in
the morning counsel for Tillman may
simply announce that their client Is
ready to go to trial at such time as
the court Indicates, or counsel may
make any one of several motions. which
would be barred unless the arrange
ment be ordered.
The defense can tomorrow make a
motion to attack the validity of the
drawing of the grand jury. 1t can
make a motion for a change of venue
to some other county. 1t can move
to quash the indictment on which the
true bill was found, or it can simply
ask for immediate trial. What the
defense will do is not known.
Counsel, when asked this afternoon
what was contemplated, stated that
and that the matter would be consider
ed, but it was not likely that publici
ty was desired as to the decision. No
intimation was given as to what, If
any, move would be made.
Bail having been refused Tillman by
Chief Justice Pope, the impression
was that he was anxious to have the
case go to trial.
Senator B. r. Tillman arrived here
this afternoon and visited the Office of
counsel in the case for his nephew.
The state has announced its readi-
ness to go to trial and will be repre-
scented by former Attorney General G.
d. Bellinger, Col. Andrew Crawford
and State Solicitor Thurmond.
The defense will be represented by
Col. George w. Croft Col. p. II. Nell
son, former Judge Buchanan and
former Congressman George tombstone.