Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-23
SHERIFF AND son
ARE BOTH GUILTY

JESUP, Ca, March 20-The jury in the
Lyons murder case returned to their room
at 2:2O o'clock this afternoon and after
being out one hour and five minutes re-
turned with verdict of guilty with rec
Ommendation to the mercy of the court
Judge Parker at once passed a life SEN
tence on Former Sheriff w. B. Lyons, and
his son, Archie. The defendants in the
case stood on their feet with Attorney
James b. Thomas between them and re-
ceived the sentence in silence
Almost universal satisfaction prevails
and excitement is not so high as at one
time. This is the biggest case ever tried
in Wayne county. Excitement has beer
higher during the progress of this trial
than at any other time in the history of
the county. Every inch of ground was
contested.
The men were indicted for the murder
of Fleming Smith on December 18th, of
last year The case which ended today
was called for trial Tuesday morning of
this week, about two days were consumed
in getting a jury. This was because OF
the long list of subscribers to fund for
the prosecution of the case which made
1t hard for jurors to qualify because Of re-
lationship.
A day and half were consumed in get
ting in the evidence and the argument be-
gan at noon yesterday. Judge R. Z. Dart,
of Brunswick, opened the case for the
state. He was followed by Dave NJ. Park
or, a local lawyer, who opened the case
for the defense, then Col. L. L. Thomas
spoke for the defense. followed by Col.
w. w. Bennett and Solicitor General ].
II. Thomas, then spoke for the state. The
leading counsel for the defense, Col.
James B. Thomas then closed and ex-
oh Y
for the state.
A great many women and children at
tended the trial all the way through and
interest and excitement never subsidized
until the verdict was reached this after
noon.
Attorneys for the defense made mo-
ton for a new trial. 1t will be heard al
Waycross, Ca, May Sth, before Judge
Parker.
The tragedy was said to be the out
come of bal feelings between the late
druggist and the former sheriff and on
several occasions the men almost came to
blows. The interference of friends at the
time probably prevented serious results
Politics were said to be at the bottom OF
the trouble.
At the time of the tragedy Lyons and
his son entered the store and were APP
preached by Smith. One word led to an
other and the difficulty followed.
1t was claimed by the prosecution that
Lyons held Smith while his son shot hin
! to death.
/ The defendants plead self defense, il
being claimed that Smith was trying to
use shot gun when he was killed.
Judg eParker at once ordered the father
and son to stand up and imposed the
sentences of life Imprisonment. The con
vieted men received the verdict and sen
tence stolidly. but their wives and othel
women relatives broke down and sobbet
violently. The former sheriff tried il
vain I'd comfort his wife.
Judge Parker ordered the prisoner.
taken away from here, and sent them t.
| the Chatham county Jail, Savannah, fol-
safe-keeping until the motion for a new
trial is to be argued. The convicted mer
are depressed because of the verdict. bu
are resolved to fight to the last before
accepting sentence.