The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-14
WITNESS BREWER
STOPS ARGUMENT
Is Placed Under Arrest for
Contempt of Court
INTERRUPTED SOLICITOR
Declared In Open Court That Solicitor
Helms Statement During an
Argument In shugart Hear
Ing Was Not True.
INTERRUPTED SOLICITOR

AS Solicitor Harrington p. Helm was
making the closing argument in the Ro-
land T. Shugart preliminary hearing in
the inferior court before Judge II. B. Abb
ernathy late yesterday afternoon one Of
his statements was denounced as a false
hood by Willis Brewer. Jr., witness who
was introduced by the defense and who
testified that he saw Shusart followed
into the Metropolitan bar room by two
men just previous to the time A. ]. Ban
holzer was shot The solicitor denounced
such testimony as being false saying that
in his opinion, Brewer was in Montgom-
cry, his former home. on the night of the
shooting. Brewer who was seated in the
rear of the court room arose and said:
And I desire to say that is a lie."
Brewer was place under arrest for con-
tempt of court His case was set for
hearing Monday morning at $3.50 o'clock
and at the solicitation of the attorneys
on both sides, including Solicitor Helm
he was released on his own recognizance
At the time of the incident the court
room was crowded and for the time being
there was some little excitement Attor-
neys stood between the two men and or
der was soon restored by Judge Aber-
nathy. -
Solicitors Remarks.
During the argument Solicitor Hefiin
said, addressing the court: Il want to
tell you that Brewer was not in Birming-
ham on the night of the shooting"
Brewer then jumped out of his seat,
took a few steps in the direction of Mr..
Hefln and denouced the statement as a
false one. After order had been restored
the solicitor continued. He said:
TN my opinion Brewer swore as he did
for pay: that he swore falsely and that he
is a perjurer I cannot see why he made
such statements on the stand unless he
did it for the coin of the relm."
Judge Alternately: II must say to you
gentlemen that you must have respect for
me and for the court
Solicitor Hefin: your honor do not
desire you to punish Brewer for contempt
of court. 1 am personally responsible for
any assertion that I might make in the
argument"
Judge Alternately then stepped out Of
the court room and te1epnoned to the
sheriff to send deputy down, evidently
intending to send Brewer to the county
jail for contempt. Just as Judge Aber-
nathy returned Brewer was leaving the
court room by another door, but was
called back by the Judge.
The argument of the solicitor was again
resumed He said: II make these charges
against Brewer based on the testimony
offered by Witness Rhame this morning.
who swore that Brewer came to him and
said that he was on the hog, and had
Just come from Montgomery on the morn
ing Of January 25.'
Attorney Shugart.
Attorney John T. shugart, the father
of the defendant. interrupted the soic-
itor by saying: please don't say that
Brewer got money for testirying as he
did" Harrington. God Almighty knows
that such was not the case. Let this mat.
ter pass Off for the present at least. We
are having enough trouble already"
Solicitor Hefln: II don't think that
Howell, the friend of Brewer. was In Biz
mingham on the night of the shooting,
either. Brewer has dragged the name Of
Hon. Willis Brewer, his father. and one
of the most distinguished citizens of Ala
bama, down In the mire. / had rather
break Jail than to swear falsely. In break
ing jail you do have to show some cour-
age. Swearing falsely displays the lowest
grade of humanity
Brewer Heard.
About the time court was ready to ad-
journ Brewer asked to be heard. He said:
II do not know what is the matter with
Mr.. He1in. Your honor heard the TRADE
of abuse heaped upon me. ana no man
with any pride or honor about him could
stand such abuse. meant no disrespect to
this court. The solicitor had ~ evidence
that l swore falsely while on the stand
They are trying TO convict an innocent
man"
Judge Alternately: II do not care to hear
anything further about this matter. In or
der to retain the respect of THIS court
am compelled to punish Brewer There Is
no alternative"
Attorney Stallings: IF it pieases your
honor l desire to say that l feel quite
sure Brewer meant no disrespect to the
court. humbly ask the court not to send
him to jail on account of the profession
and on account of the standing Of the
young man."
Upon the request Of the solicitor, Attor-
reys Morrow and stallings. the Brewer
matter was continued until tomorrow
morning at $50 o'clock by Judge Aber-
rathy.
Yancey Literary Society.