The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-07-13

The case against Jesse Nelson for
striking Mrs Alfred Setter resulted
in a verdict of guilty, and a sentence
of six years to penitentiary or chain
gang.
AS we went to press last week the
case against Mr.. F. L. Collins, charged
with homicide, was being tried and
resulted in verdict of not guilty.
The defendant was ably represented
by Hon. N. L. Smith of the Camden
bar and Capt. w. G. Davis.
Thursday morning opened with the
beginning of the case against S. NJ.
Youmans, charged with the killing
of J. R. Keels. The defense was rep
resented by Capt. W. c. Davis and
Hon. J. Il. Lesesne. The attendance
was large throughout the trial which
lasted until Saturday night. Sixty
one witnesses were sworn.
The jury was: W. T. Lesesne, fore
man. E. B. Fielder, P. D. Carter, JIG.
Bryant, G. 4. Cochran, Joel Benbow,
II. A. Hodge. P. II. Broughton, G. A.
Ridgill, A. S. Corbett, P. B. Hodge,
J. n. Riggs.
Solicitor Wilson left nothing un-
done, and he was ably met at every
move by defendants counsel. The
arguments of counsel could not have
been bettered, and when the jury
went into the room it was almost
unanimously expected that in a few
minutes they would returu with a
verdict of mot guilty." but the jury
hung, and continued to hang all
night. Sunday morning found them
still disagreed. Judge Aldrich had
them brought into the court room to
ascertain if there was any possibility
of an greement. The foreman in
formed him there was not, and to
this the other jurors assented, even
Mr.. E. B. Fielder, whom it is said
was the only man that did not favor
an acquittal. The judge asked if
they wanted any of the testimony
read, or if any part of his charge was
not plain to them. They said no,
and after expressing himself about
the gravity and expense of mlstrlals
in such cases and compliJnenting the
jury upon their intelligence, be told
them he would not coerce Il verdict,
and ordered a ,nistrial to be entered
upon the minutes.
Our information is that the jury
in a few minutes after getting into
the room stood eleven for acquittal
and one for conviction of manslaugh-
ter, and this one man would not hear
to any proposition looking for en-
|liehtenment from the court, claim
ing that he understood the evidence
and the law, and that the deceased
did not assault the defendant. 1t is
also said that Mr. Fielder says he
went to God in prayer and was by
Him directed in his course. When
Judge Aldrich was convinced Of the
utter uselessness of further detaln-
inc the Jury, he discharged them, ,and
ordered that new bond be given by
the defendant, which was done as
soon as the papers could be prepared. |.
Our space being very limited this
week prevents US from giving our
impressions of this trial. Counsel for
the defense made magnificent argu-
inents and the solicitors efforts for
the State were superb.
We give below a brief synopsis OF
some Of the testimony for which we
are indebted to Mr.. John K. Breedin:
| The first witness for the Safe was
DIR. w. ". BROCkINToN.
| Who testified that he examined
Keels' body at the request of the cor.
oner, and found five wounds in front.
One struck above the breast bone and
went in, another struck just above that
one between the second and third rios
and one leaving the edge of the rib
passed into the abdominal cavity. -Four
passed through the body and were
found between the body and the shirt.
The doctor said the wounds were nee.
! essarily fatal.
w. T. P. SPROTT.
Was standing about 30 yards from
the court house when his attention was
attracted by pistol shots. He saw
Youmans fire shots in rapid success.
sion, then the fourth shot. keels stag
rered around column and while fall
ing the fifth shot was fred Heard i,
said that Keels would have fired ii
Youmans had not done so first, but saw
no weapon about Keels. Did not see
Keels attack Youmans. When arrest
ed Youmans was trying to reload his
pistol. Had known Keels for 10 years
and knew his reputation was that OF q
violent and dangerous man.