The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-24
POLITICAL HISTORY OF
 TENNESSEE DETAILED
Aged Defendant Is Questioned By the Defense All Day and Testimony Is Not Ended-Prosecution
 Drops John D. Sharp.

sixth day of actual testimony in the case of Colonel Duncan B. and Robin J. Cooper and John D. Sharp, charged with the murder of former Senator E. W. Carmack, closed with the aged de- feRdant, Colonel Cooper. still on the witness stand. His own counsel were questioning him and when court ad- journed they intimated that they were about half through. They had taken him over the trouble, commencing four years ago and brought him down to the start from his sons office to the governors mansion. It was during this walk that the senator was killed. Colonel Cooper made an excellent wit ness. He appeared very cool. collect ed and almost disinterested. The only time he showed emotion was when counsel were reading the editorials which led up to the killing. Then his already fiorid face flushed more deep ly and the scarlet stole up over his bald head aocentuating the wilderness of what little hair is left him.
 That the state will grill Colonel Cooper on cross-examination to the y, saying. Possibly, too, this is why the defense did not conclude direct exam inatton of the colonel today Tomor- row they propose to have him describe the actual killing. If this had been done today, the state would have had a stenographic report of 1t In an hour and could have used the intervening time to prepare a cross examination. The stenographers who are making a daily record of the case and when court adjourns each night are only a half hour behind with the transcript. As 1t is all the attorney general will have tonight is transcript of Colonel Coopers testimony of what transpired up to the time he reached Seventh ave nue, few moments before the killing. There is little dispute over these in cfdents. but the theories of the de- fense and the state differ widely as to how the actual killing occurred.
 Crowd Fills Court Room.
 Not quite such immense throng greeted the deputies this morning when they opened the court room but there
 
 room and furnish an audience for A couple of overflow meetings
 John Sharp, the defendant. on the stand when court adjourned yesterday seemed much refreshed and inyigor- ated by nights rest and walked jauntily to the witness chair to again submit himself to the states probe. The states attorneys were jubilant. too. The adjournment gave them a chance to get a stenographic report of the witness testimony on direct examination, and they had spent a good part of the night studying it Robin Cooper. through with his ordeal seemed brighter and happier than he has any day since the trial commenced and his favorite sister, Mrs. Burch. fairly radiated happiness
 There was a hurried conference of the states attorneys and then to the surprise of everyone, General Garner announced:
 "The state does not desire to cross- examine MT. sharp any further"
 Sharp Is Stopped.
 Sharp appeared much relieved and started to leave the stand but was waved back by General Meeks, who began on redirect examination.
 You were questioned last evening as to why you suddenly broke your engagement to go to the governors mansion?"
 "I was"
 Did you have any engagement"
 No sir. l had no engagement at tho mansion. l had merely been asked to go there with Colonel Cooper.
 One or two more questions as to the position of the principals in the tragedy at the time of the shooting followed, and the general seemed inclined to cease. Then Sharp leaned over and whispered some thing to the stenographer, who whispered to General Meeks.
 T wish to ask you about the Lee lot and the Leek lot
 They are together on Seventh avenue near Union. The Lee lot is on the cor her; the Leek lot Is next"
 Then the state changed it's mind and General McCarn began:
 You never made public your stats- ment until you got on the stand?"
 Never"
 You were asked by newspaper re- porters for statement?"
 Often"
 You refused one?'
 'I did. l refused to give statement because I did not want it perverted.',
 You told every one who asked you that you'd make 1t at the proper timer
 T did l would have made one to the attorney general had he asked it"
 That's all"
 Call Col. Duncan B. Cooper" said Gen. eral Washington.
 Colonel Cooper Called.
 Then the central figure in the now fam ous tragedy arose and walked calmly to the stand
 Colonel Cooper is short, heavy-set and very forid. He Is somewhat bald, but what hair he has, like his mustache. is very white. His eyes are clear and hard and his face is free from wrinkles. As he began to talk his two daughters leaned forward In their seats and drank in every word he spoke
 The colonel safd he was s4 years old  ~ EG1oNJZUuJnQ ON 4AGw. lS