The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-13
Sentenced to Life Im-
 prisonment.
TOOK STAND IN OWN BEHALF
Admitted Possession of Rifle ant
 Cartridges.
Declared They Were Needed In Oper' alton of Illicit Distiiiery By Prickett and HimseIs-Prickett
 StrenuOusl.' Denies
 Partnership.
nv rRANk P. GLASS, JR.

RY FRANK Ps OAASSp SkSs
 opelika. Oct. 12-The jury in the trial of Uhland Culpepper. charged with the murder of Mary Elvin Haden, who was shot and killed near Phoenix City several weeks age,-tenight- turned a verdict of guilty. Culpep- per was sentenced to life tmprison- ment.
 onelika. Oct. 12-(Special.) )--Pro- ceedings in the case of Uhland Gull pepper charged with the killing Of nt- tie Mary Haden, were continued at the opening of the Lee County Court or Law and Equity this morning when Il. W Sheer. marshal of Phoenix City, was recalled to the stand by the State. Attorneys on both sides finished their examination early in the afternoon, and the fate of the young man now rests with the jury.
 Attorneys f0r the State finished their examination shortly after the calling of the case, and at 10 o'clock the de- fense began introducing their wit nesses in quick succession. Alter about half an hour of character Wit nesses, the defense requested permits sion of the court to have conference with their client. after which they placed him upon the stand. His tes- timony created no sensation.
 It was expected that the defense would spring a surprise of some sort. but evidently thinking that the State had failed to establish its case or ideh- tity each witness, excepting the de- fendant himself. was questioned along purely character lines.
 Little interest is apparently being taken in the case. as the spectators barely filled the first row of seats Tn the large auditorium this morn ing. During the first day of the evtd- ence taking quite a large number or spectators were present. but this Is accounted for by the fact that the jury in the Sam Bailey case was expected to report during that morning. There is however a well defined sentiment among the people of opelika. because nf the aerequent killings during the mast month, and the States attorneys are sure that this sentiment will have It's effect upon the jury.
 In the testimony of the defendant and his cross examination by the States attorneys, a perfect compos- ure and frank manner characterized ali utterances. His speech was clearly heard, and answers to every question propounded were given without the slightest hesitation. He told Of the borrowing of the rife from Prickett and of having formed an agreement with Prickett for the operation of an "unlicensed" still on his place.
 On being recalled to the stand, Tlarp Prickett denied all connection with CulDeppor III the matter OL aH IlllClI distiNery,. and of having been on the Culpepper place with the defendant. and of having any knowledge of where the rifle was to be found when he made his search with the sheriff and his deputies.
 Defendant Agitated.
 At the calling of the case at s:30 o'clock this morning Marshal Speer testified as to the finding of the rife. and identified the cartridges introduce ed as evidence. Sheriff Moon identi- fled the rife and cartridges. and stated that he had the rife in a carriage when the defendant was taken from the Phoenix City guard house, and that when the defendant saw the rifle he was greatly agitated.
 The State called T. ]. Haden, father of Mary Haden. to the stand to testi- fy as to | e general direction of the tracks and the location of Culpepper's house, but on the cross examination Haden stated that the diagram offered in evidence was not drawn to an &C., curate scale. He stated that there had been no difficulty between himself and the defendant. The state rested at this point.
 Attorneys for the defense called Capt. Martin Ballew to the stand. On the direct examination he testified to the fact that the rife in evidence be- longed to his company and that at 
 seven rifles out of the armory. He also stated that the rifle in question: a Krag-Jorgensen, could be bought in the open market.
 J. R. Moses. Robert Davis. Jr.. and Dr. D. E. Morgan all testified to the good character of the defendant the first witness stating that he had never heard of the defendant threatening to kill anyone who interfered with the operation of the illicit distillery.
 Culpepper on Stand.
 Uhland Culpepper was then called On the direct examination he stated that he had not heard of the shooting until the next morning, and that he had not heard the ringing of the alarm bell at the Haden's at all. He said that he had gone to the Haden's the morning after the shooting, and short ly returned to his house to get his wife and child. He returned to the Haden house about g o'clock in the morning, remaining there until the early afternoon. He stated that he was arrested on his return to his home the second time. and that his house was searched.
 Did you have this gun offered here as evidence.
 Yes"
 What size shoe do you wear?"
 An in these smooth shoes, an S1-2 of pointed toes. and a in brogans."
 The defendant then testified as to having gotten the gun from Prickett three weeks before the shooting. and told of the caution which Prickett gave that the rife be kept hidden for inc reason that officers in searching for the still would find 1t in the house or open place, and get both in trouble. He stated that he carried the rife out to his house for the use of himself and Prickett, as they were to operate a still on his place. The place where the rifle was kept in the ground was near the place of the still
 Culpepper stated that Prickett had bo1eht the cartridges for him with a dollar. and that he had received twen- tv of them He admitted denying to inc Sheriff that he possessed a rifle of such calibre.
 On the cross examination Culpepper testi6ed as to having been in Girard on the day preceding the night of the