The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-11-20
THE SESSIONS COURT.
Judge Memminger Comments on Per-
jury-Wants Exemptions From
Jury Service Removed.

The sessions court, Judge Men,
min"er presiding. has disposed Of t
considerable amount Of business this
week. and some impression has been
made on the heavy docket, leaving,
however, many cases yet 20 be dlspos-
ed Of. The remainder Of this week
and next we'll be required to dispose
of the business.
On Tuesday morning, in his re-
marks to the grand jury, Judge Men,
minser called attention to the evil Of
perjury, which is becoming so prevail
ent in the courts throughout the
State, and asked the grand jury to
| look out for any cases where it was
patent that the witnesses were per-
iuring themselves, and to bring in
indictments against those swearing
falsely-not particularly at this term
Of court, but at any term Of court.
He spoke of the new court house,
complimcnting the building very high
| ", and urging that it be kept clean.
Another matter to which Judge
Memmineer called especial attention
was the great number of exemptions
from jury service, and he urged the
grand jury to use its influence with
the members of the general assembly
from this county to prevent further
exemptions from jury service. He
would like to see some member Of the
general assembly so bold as to intro
duce bill to wipe ont all exemp-
tions, leaving it to the discretion OF
the presiding judge to excuse those
who, for personal reasons, ought to be
excused, orewhose service to the pub
lie demanded that they be excused.
Edmund Boyd, colored, was convict
ed Of breach Of trust with fraudulent
intent, and was sentenced to serve
three years. Boyd was not represent
ed by counsel It appeared that the
members of Mt. Olive colored church,
through the efforts Of Magistrate ".
C. Sigh. has collected $36 from GER
tain parties who had been guilty Of
offences on the church grounds, the
parties paying the money to Magis-
trate Sigh in order to prevent prose-
cutions against them.
Boyd. it was testified, secured this
money from Magistrate Sigh for the
church, and proceeded to spend it.
Boyd claimed that the members Of
the church were afraid to take steps
against the offenders, and had told
him that if he would do so he could
have what he got out of it.
Will Young, colored, charged with
assault with intent to kill, the Of
fence alleged being the drawing of
pistol on a nero, Gordon Hodges, at
Mavbinton, was acquitted. He was
defended by Mr.. P. D. Barron, IF
Union.
Bob Johnson, colored, was convict
ed of manslaughter, with recommen-
dation to mercy, and carrying con-
cealed weapons. He was charged
with murder in the killing Of Henry
Robinson, colored, on Mr.. Alan John
stones place, on March 1 Of this
year. The testimony was to the effect
that number of negroes were gamb-
ling on the Sunday when the shooting
occurred, and that after the game
Bob was beating with a stick on a
nickel on the ground daring anybody
10 pick it up, when Henry Robinson
picked it up and Bob snapped his
pistol at the ground where the nickel
was, whereupon Henry shot at Bob,
and the difficulty ensued in which
Henry received his mortal wound. The
witnesses said when Bob was beating
on the nickel which lay on the ground
lie was "funning,' and that Henry
was the first to get mad, when he
shot IT Bob. Several shots were fir
ed. The jury remained ont Tuesday
afternoon, Tuesday night, and until
Wednesday afternoon. The Defend
ant was represented by iSr. E. S.
Blease, who gave notice Of a motion
for new trial.
l.. J. Williams, alias Walker Daw-
kins. colored. was convicted of utter
ing a forged instrument and sentenc-
ed to seven years service. He was
not represented by counsel, and con,
Quoted his own case, cross examining
the witnesses and making a speech to
the jury. Williams was arrested i'll
Florida by Sheriff Buford, through
whose efforts he had been located.
Tho nffonce with which he waA