The Cairo bulletin., 1908-11-27
C00PERS' PLEA
IS NOT GUILTY
CARMACk'S SLAYERS IN COURT
THREE ARRAiGNEp SEP.
ERATELY BY REQUEST,
TRIAL SET FOR DEC. 8
Attornew Week Objects to Early
Date Fixcd--Judge Hart De-
cIined to Hear Argument
On Later Date.

/ Nashville, Tenn. Nov. 2G.-Col
Duncan b, Cooper Robin j. Coope
and John d. Sharp were formally al
raigned yesterday In the crimina
court charged with the murder of ex
! Senator Edward w Carmack, an,
/ the trial set for December s Eacl
was arraigned separately, the indiet
/ ments read to them, and a plea o
not guilty entered. Counsel for de
| fense objected to their clients being
brought in person into court ant
asked to be allowed to waive forma
iairaignment, urging the past custom
| in this respect, but the attorney gen
eral insisted in following the law to
! the minutest detail, and the court
sustained him.
Objection was also made to the
case being set for December on ac
count OF the absence Of Judge j. M
Anderson, who 1t was stated Is lead
ing counsel in the case, hut Judge
Hart waived this matter aside with
the ramrk that this question would
posed, that continuance could be
asked for and considered on its
merits.
The defendants entered the court
room from the east door of the court
house to avoid the crowd at the south
dooI Robin Cooper walking first with
Sheriff Sam Borum. Tney were fol.
lowed by Col. Cooper, accompanied
by his nephew, Ernest Cooper, of
Shelbyville, and John ID. Sharp with
Deputy Sheriff Bass. On entering
the court room they We're given seats
before athe bar.
Separate Pleas Entered.
Immediately M. H. Meeks, for the
defendants. stated to the court that
counsel wished the defendants to
plead separately and accordingly Col.
Cooper was asked to step forward.
He did so and took a seat directly in
front OF Judge Hart Deputy Clerk
Romans Haley then read the indlct.
ment charging him with the murder
of ex-senator Carmack. Col Cooper
listened closely and at its close Judge
Hart asked. Are you guilty or not
guilty. Judge Hart asked. Not
guilty" was the answer in clear
voice Robin Cooper was next called
and the indictment against him read.
His answer to the usual question was
IN q low voice, scarcely heard be
yond those Immediately about him.
Mr.. Sharp was called and the indlct-
ment charging him with murder was
first read. His reply, given In a loud
voice which could be heard all over
the room, was: Not guilty, sir. "
The Indictment charging him with
being an accessory before the fact
was next read and in the same man.
uer and words he entered his plea of
not guilty.
During the reading of the indict.
ments TO the defendants separately
the manner Of each was closely
watched by all in the court room.
Cot Cooper showed not the slightest
With his son Robin the case was
different. He lacked the stoicism or
his father, and besides showing some
effects from his confinement and
wounds. he was nervous During the
reading of the indictment against him
he sat with bowed head. He scarce
~ raised his head until Judge Hart
asked Are you guilty or not guilty."
Then he looked at the court and re-
In Ism htaf -
suilty.
Mr.. Sharp presented different
picture. He. too. was pale. but seem
irgly more from anger than any
other cause His manner WAS de-
fiant and his answers given in Ie-
tcrnlined tone. When he took his
seat TO listen to the reading Of the
he nodded to Clerk Ha-
ley to go on with the reading He
held himself erect and looked AZ the
clerk while he read the two papers
listening closely 20 every word His 1
answers exhibited great feeling
Judge Hart was on the point of or 4
1ering the prisoners back 10 jsil 4
when Attorney General elf McCarh /
addressed the court and stated that I
an open DAY appeared on the docket. 1
and aksed that the case be set for
trial Dec. s.
Defense Object.
Attorney Meeks for the defense I'm
mediately arose AMI interposed an
objection. He stated that IL had been
ILde rstood that the case would b.
,et for the January term and with
hat Understan ling. Judge J. NJ An
it rsOn was not expecting to b. in .t
h. city earlier on account of ls
.ealth- He stated that Judge Ander-
on was leading counsel and urged
hat the case be not set Al this term.
Judge Hart simply said. You can
orange that later" and allowed tbei
sSe TO be set on the date named. I
'cntinHing Judge Hart said.
q