The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-23
GRIFFITH CLEARED
 BY JURY'S VERDICT
SYMPATHETIC AUDIENCE LISTENS TO FINAL APPEALS BY ATTOR- NEYS-THE DEFENDANTS RELA. TIVES WERE ALL IN COURT.

'We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty was the verdict handed down in the criminal court yesterday afternoon after the first ballot in the case of Roy Griffith, who was on trial for the killing of John Ayers at Bessemer several months ago. The case went to the jury at 415 o'clock and the first and only ballot was taken in less than five min utes afterward.
 It is doubtful if a more sympathetic audience ever listened to a trial in the Jefferson county court house than the one in attendance on this one. The rel atives of young Griffith were present in large numbers. quite a number coming rom Columbus, Ga, the old home of the defendant From the beginning of the trial the sentiment was strong that Griffith would be acquitted, and this sen timent developed stronger as the case progressed.
 The array of counsel on both sides was exceptionally strong, and the arguments presented by each were masterpieces of eloquence Hugh c. Crane of Birmng- ham and Col. A. A. Carson of Columbus were the defendants counsel, while Capt Frank S. White assisted Solicitor H. P. Heflin in prosecuting the case Messrs. Crane and Hefiin delivered the opening arguments Tuesday afternoon and Messrs. Carson and White concluded yesterday. Attorney Crane worked up the evidence Tn the case and his opening argument was strong plea for acquittal Colonel Carson began his speech imme- diately after court convened yesterday morning and spoke for over two hours. A strong testimonial as to his eloquence was shown by the fact that during his address he had the absolute attention of everybody in the court room from the judge down, tears bedimming the eyes of even the opposing counsel at times. Captain White concluded the argument with an address lasting two hours and a half, and his plea for a conviction was a rival in eloquence to that of Colonel Car sons.
 For moment after the announcement of the verdict silence reigned, then Colo enl Carson arose and said: "Gentlemen 1 of the jury, from the bottom of my heart I thank you" and the pent up emotion WHICH lHe IeldllNeS ana lTleHuS or Inc defendant had held so well under control during the trial, burst out.
 The killing of Ayres, as will be remem- bered, occurred in a struggle between hin. and Griffith, during which he threw Grif- fifth across a bed the scene of the fight being the bedroom occupied by both men. No one witnessed the tragedy, but Grif- fths statement was that during the fight Ayers secured a revolver. A strug- gle followed over the gun, during which Griffith secured another pistol and reach ing his arm around his back shot at Ayers, one of the bullets passing through most instantaneous death.
 Both men were of exceptionally good family. Among Griffiths relatives in at- tendance on the trial was c. J. Willis of Columbus, an uncle, while Colonel Car son is lifelong friend of the defendants family. Colonel Carson was formerly solicitor general of the state of Geor- gia
 While the jury arrived at verdict in less than five minutes after leaving the court room it was nearly half an hour before they sent word that they were ready. Judge Weaver in the mean time had left the court room and was not located for several minutes, and as A consequence it was after o'clock when the verdict was read.