The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1909-06-23
Criminal Court: Proc sdiags.

Criminal Court: Proceedings.
When we went to press last week
the jury was out in the case of Quit
man Gayden; charged with seducing
Miss Corie Estelle Lucas. The jury
came out shortly before 10 o'clock
and announced that they were hope
lessly disagreed. Judge Aldrich or
dered them to return to the room and
find verdict. Not to agree would
be "childs play" he declared. The
jury returned to their room and came
out in few minutes with q verdict of
not guilty.
The defendant was represented by
Messrs. Efird & Dreher and Graham
& Sturkie, while the Solicitor was as
sisted in the prosecution by Mr.; W.
w. Hawes.
The next case taken up was that Of
Rufus Reeves, a negro charged with
larceny. 1t was alleged that Reeves
had stolen fifty cents from another
negro with whom he was sleeping. In
this case the jury failed to agree and
mistrial was ordered. Judge Al
drich remarked that it was a shame
that jury could not reach verdict
in SO simple a case and one where
such small amount was involved.
He declared that this was the first
mistrial he has had since he has been
on the bench.
John G.. Darby, chief of police for
the town of Batesburg, was acquitted
upon the charge of assault with in
tent to ravish. The prosecutrix was
widow lady, clearinghouse keep
er and dressmaker in the town of
Batesburg. The assault was alleged
to have been made on Sunday even
ing, February 9TH, this year. The
woman swore that the big chief (for
he is man OF powerful build and
towering around seven feet) had way
laid her behind mammoth oak on
one of the principal thoreughfares of
Batesburg, and attacked her by plac-
ing one hand around her throat and
the other on her body; that he then
dragged her for several feet, and only
turned her loose upon the arrival of
her son who was but short distance
away and to whom she called for as
sistance. -...
The defendant denied having seen
the woman at all on the 7th Of Febru-
ary, and swore that he was attending
services at the Baptist church at the
time the alleged assault was alleged
to have been made. In support of
this alibi a number of witnesses were
sworn, among them being the Rev.
W. T. Hundley, pastor of the church,
and the Rev. S. o. Cantey, both of
whom testified that Mr.. Darby was in
the church from 7:3O until the close
of the service. There we're number
of other witnesses sworn for the de-
fence. In fact, the whole town was
represented at the trial, more than
100 witnesses having been summoned
by the defence alone.
The testimony and arguments were
concluded on Thursday afternoon.
Judge Aldrich charged the jury Fri
day morning and after remaining out
for 80 minutes, returned with YER
dict of not guilty.
The defendant was ably represented
by Messrs. Efird & Dreher, of Lexing-
ton, and Col. E. F. Strother, of Bates
burg. CO.. E. l.. Asbill, of Leesville,
assisted the Solicitor in the prosecu-
ton.
This was the last case tried with the
exception of the Bynum case, an ac-
count of which will be found in
another column.
John Dreher, negro who was con-
victed along with three negro women
of resisting an officer, was sentenced
to serve three years on the chaingang.
Eliza Eleazer received a sentence of
12 2months on the gang or to pay fine
of 800. Lula Dreher and Bessie
Dreher were each sentenced to pay
fine of SIS or serve six months on the
chaingang.
No Court This Week.
Iu6re ldrich returned to LeXing-