The Monticellonian., 1904-09-08
DR. L|GHI[E CONVICTED
Another Chapter of Famous Alleged
 Insurance Fraud.
ALLEGED CRIME WAS VIOLATING CRAVE
sesrcy Physician Must Pay Fine of $2,ooo and Serve Six Months in White County Jail.-Case Appealed to Circuit Court-Confss5lo of Gregory.


 Charged with violating the grave of Ed Pitts by removing his body from the Searcy cemetery to his barn, where it was afterwards burned, Dr. Richard trial before Justice of the Peace M E. Harlan, at Searcy, September ,, and his punishment fixed by the jury at six months in the White county jail and to pay a fine of $2,000. An appeal was taken and the bond fixed at the amount of the fine. which was made. The defense offered no testi- mony. and the star witness for the state was Walter Gregory. who told in detail of the grave robbery. Grave robbery is only misdemeanor i'll Arkansas. This disposes of the charges of conspiracy against Dr. Lightle until the White County grand jury begins it's investigation Of the charges of arson and conspiracy. on which Dr. Lightle has been bound over.
 The trial of ex-Mayor John X Roberts, of Searcy. will be held at Judsonia on a change of venue Sep tember 23. The charge against him Is also grave robbery.
 The evidence Of Gregory was the sensation of the trial. He turned states evidence and told the story of the robbery Of Ed Pitts grave and the substitution of the body for that of Dr. Lightle who had planned to leave the state ill order that life in surance amounting to $2l000 might be collected on the representation that the bodY of Pitts was that of 1ightle Gregory implicated both Roberts and Lightie.
 The case was called at 9 o'clock a II o'clock the jury was completed. | was composed principally of far mers residing near Searcy. and was as follows: J N Norwood. Carroll James C. E. Hooks. Gaston Quick John Parker Tom Carter, W A .lolston R. A Warner. A. C. Smith. $ (. Knickes. NJ $. Doyle and John Weeks
 Dr Lighte entered a plea of not guilty and the trial was begun.
 The following witnesses were exam ined: S NJ Powell. of Little Rock. state agent for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.,; Henry A. Janson, of New York representing the Mutual Life Co; E. C. Bright and Mrs. Ea Pitts widow of the man whose body was taken from the grave.
 Walter Gregory was the next wit ness. He said that he had known Dr. Lightle for the past twelve years. He knew Ed Pitts. who died in April of this year and was buried at the cemetery. He attended the burial, and so did Dr. I.ightle. Dr. Lightle, John Roberts and witness had a scheme on foot to secure a body and burn it in Dr. Lightle's office. Dr. Lightle told witness to come to his office The doctor told him he had $2l 900 life insurance, and they could collect it. John Roberts and Dr. Lightlc said they would try to get body from Little Rock This Was two or three weeks before he CPitts) died Witness told about the three going to the grave of Ed Pitts. and how they saw Dandrige Medley and Kay Deener. They had Roberts buggy and spade and got one spade from Dr Lightle. The witness watched first after they got to the grave of Ed Pitts, and the three took il time about delving into the grave. The coffin was not removed, but wit ness and Dr. Lightle got the body and wrapped it up in quilt and set the corpse mp in a buggy and Dr Iightle drove the buggy to his resi- delce and witness and Roberts walked They reached Dr. Lightle's residence and found the doctor there and the corpse was in the buggy A new grave was already dug in Dr Lightles barn. ana the body was re buried
 They took up the body of Ed Pitts on Tuesday night, after he was buried on Sunday Witness had conver sation with Kay Deener next day on the street. and Deener asked witness what they were doing in the ceme- tery last night" and ii they were burying a corpse or taking one,
 Witness reported this to the doc tor, who said he would see Deener Dr. Lightle told witness how he was going to leave his watch, thermom. cter and keys on Pitts body. and how he was going to walk to Bald Knob | and would wear false whisllers and | mustache. He saw the doctor put