The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-05
Defendant Declines TO Submit
Any Evidence at Decatur
CROWDS ARE NOT 50 LARGE
courtmartial of Military Men Results
In Relase of Two and Plea of
Guilty BY the
Third.
BY JOHN T. EVANS.

BY JOHN T. EVANS.
Decatur, May 5.-(Special.)-All is quiet
at Camp McKleroy tonight. Not a single
arrest had been made up to midnight, al
though several false alarms were sound
ed during the night. Every man of the
provisional company has been on the alert
expecting a disturbance. but at Il o'clock
Captain Gregory released the reserves, as
suring them that he did not anticipate
the least trouble during the night.
Camp MsI<leroy, Decatur, May 4-(Spe-
cial)-The defense in the trial of John
Collier, who Is charged with the murder
of Miss Belle Bloodworth, was willing to-
day to submit its side TO the jury OF
Morgan county citizens for consideration
without either Offering any evidence or
making an argument.
This announcement was made by Al
torney w. w. Callahan, who was appoint
ed by Judge Speake to defend Collier this
afternoon when Solicitor D. b. Almon
made the announcement that the state
would close Attorney Callahan was will
ing he said. for the jury to take the case
under consideration without even an argu-
ment being made, but the court held that
it would probably be better for the at
torney to discuss the different phases of
the case with the jury. Attorney Callahan
spoke at length this afternoon. and IL Is
said that his argument was one of the
best that has ever been heard at the local
bar.
The jury and the 200 or more spectators
In the court room were held spellbound
by the eloquence of the attorney. He per-
haps made the fight of his life to save
the neck of the negro When court ad-
journed this afternoon at o'clock there
was one more argument TO be .ade in the
case This will be completed In lie morn
Ing, and the case will then pass into the
hands OF the jury after the court delivers
the charge.
Immediately after the Collier Jury retires
the case of VIII Jackson, who is under
indictment for the murder of Policeman
Steele here last week. will be taken up.
The present indications are that the SOL
ders sent here from Birmingham to pre-
serve order will hardly leave before Sat-
urday afternoon.
Detective on the Stand.
Detective Hefin of Birmingham and
Special Officer Lance. who worked up
evidence in the cases against Harvey
Smith and Collier were on the stand this
morning. The latter testified that he held
Collier after placing him under arrest IN
the woods near New Decatur all night
There were two other prisoners and the
defendant told the witness that neither of
the other negroes was implicated In the
murder of Miss Bloodworth. Witness said
that Collier told him that Smith had re-
marked that he was the one that commit
ted the murder.
Considerable wrang1ng followed at this
iuncture participated in by Solicitor AL
o,.I faI 1Fat
looked as If personal difficulty was A
possibility, but Judge Speake in few
conservative remarks quiete6 the lawyers
down. and after a short delay the trial
proceeded. Attorney Callahan remarked
in court that he would be compelled TO
retire from the case II he was not to re-
ceve respect due him.
Fred Bloodworth. a brother Of the un-
fortunate young woman. told Of visiting
Collier In Jail at Birmingham recently.
He said that he held up a sweater for
Golfers inspection while don there and
that the defendant finally admitted that
1t was his. The sweater was found by
L. p. Martin
Lacey Smith a son OF Harvey Smith.
who has already been convicted and SEN
fenced to death for murder, told OF hear
ing a conversation his father had with
reference TO the killing. This conversation
was had with Collier and each accused
the other of the murder. One or two
other immaterial witnesses were examined
before court adjourned for dinner.
Or. Watson Describes Injuries.
When the afternoon session commenced
DR. Watson was called to the stand. He
again testified that he examined the body
of Miss Bloodworth on H. night she was
killed.
He said that he detected a strange odor
4
orandum book which was found and Is
said to belong TO Collier. On cross-exam-
ination the witness testified that the odor
could not be described.
Fred Bloodworth WE again called and
he stated that his sister was employed at
her fathers store at the time she was
killed. He told OF the route taken by
Miss Bloodworth In going to and from
her home to the store
He declared that to his knowledge Col
ller was not at the Bloodworth home on
Sunday following the killing. Charlie
Ross a negro testified that he knew Col
lier and said he remembered seeing him
the night OF the killing I'm his barber
shop. The witness said that when he
first heard of the killing Collier was in a
barber's chair being shaved. lie said that
he remarked to the defendant at that time
that It was n good thing he was not In
New Decatur that night. He said that
Collier smiled at this remark. This with
the exception of Mr.. Bloodworth swear
ing that Collier had Away maintained to
him that he knew nothing of the killing
until Sunday following closed the testi-
mony for the state.
After long conference with the defen-
dant Attorney Callahan announced that
no testimony would be oT~ered in Golfers
behalf The speech making then COM
menced
T. p Troup. for the state. made the first
argument In the case. He recited the
evidence offered by the state against Col
1ier. and his earnest plea was listened
to attentively by the jury. Attorney Peck
for the defense then spoke at length. At
torney Callahan closed for the defense
shortly before o'clock.
Attendance Not So Large.
The attendance at the trial of Collier
today has not been large and the specta-
tors passed in and out of the court house
and yard quietly.
The guard lines have been maintained
fcoutintIad an Third paoAl