The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-13
LIFE SENTENCE GIVEN ID SMITH Slayer of Laurent Is Convicted
 At Columbus NEW TRIAL IS REFUSED Attorneys for the Lowndes County Planter Will Appeal the Case to
 the Supreme court-De-
 fendant Unmoved.
NEW TRIAL IS REFUSED


 Life imprisonment in the penitentiary awaits Charles R. Smith, the wealthy Lowndes county planter, who slew Eugene A. Laurent of Nashville, at Artesia, Miss, just 2S days ago, unless the supreme court of Mississippi changes the sentence pronounced by Judge John L. Buckley upon the noted defendant this afternoon at 6;45, just after overruling the motion for a new trial in this county. We the jury find the defendant guilty as charged and ask the mercy of the court, ' was the verdict read by Clerk Gunter this morning at s:45 o'clock. MT. Wither- spoon of the defense stated that the yer dict was not complete or expressive of the jurys decision and he asked that the body be sent back to agree upon an other verdict according to the courts charges.
 We the jury find the defendant guilty as charged but disagree as to the pun ishment," was the verdict when the jury returned at 9:o5 o'clock, 20 minutes later
 Judge Buckley thanked the jurors for their attention to all evidence and argu- ments presented them regarding the case and discharged them forthwith. They have been confined ten nights.
 Waiting for the Jury.
 The defendant came into the court room at o'clock, the hour for converting. He was joined by his daughter, Miss Estelle Smith, and her companion, Miss Mercer, housekeeper at Smith Oaks"
 The trio awaited the jurys entrance in silence Miss Smith and her father both looked as though they had spent a sleep less night.
 When the twelve men came into court only a small crowd of people was pres ent. Attorneys Landrum, Witherspoon and Baldwin, the defendants attorneys, were on hand and District Attorney Cur rie, J. l. Sturdivant and R. c. Betts of the prosecution were also there.
 The verdict was received in quietude by everyone The defendant did not change his expression in the slightest. His interest did not seem to be at any tension His only movement was to turn sideways in his chair and face the twelve men who held his life in their hands as they formed around Judge Buckley's stand.
 Miss Smith Breaks Down.
 Miss Esteile Smith. the daughter who mas been QFdSSeu lllO lHS lTdSSug, WuO has borne bravely everything that has been said concerning her was perhaps the most crushed by the verdict. She raised her veil and sobbed bitterly, convulsively yet silently.
 R. E. Smith of Sherman, Tex, brother of the defendant, known as ''The Alfalfa King" who has been by his side through out the trial, was perhaps the most af- fected of anyone else besides the daugh- ter. The other three brothers, who have also remained with Smith, lending every aid possible for brothers to render under such conditions, were able to control their feelings better.
 Mn McConnico, leading counsel for the prosecution, who closed the arguments in the case last night, and who was greeted by such an audience as never has been recorded in the history of the court room, left Columbus this morning at 2:30 o'clock for Nashville, his home. He was accompanied by his secretary. This accounts for his absence when the jury reported
 Plea for New Trlal.
 None of the Laurent family was in court when the verdict was announced. They received the news at the Stone hotel within a few minutes. Mrs. Lau- rent, mother of the dead boy, said: Jus tice has been done" The attorneys for the defense prepared a plea for another trial and the motion was read to Judge Buckley this afternoon at 4 o'clock.
 The defense claimed 36 grounds upon which their action was based The in strument stated the verdict did not sus- tain the evidence, there was a public sentiment of ill feeling and prejudice against the defendant, the defendant s mental disease was overlooked, the de- fendant did not know right from wrong | 4o1 flA at 1to puted and uncontradicted evidence in the case shows the defendant was afflicted with a mental disease, the jury ignored | the insanity plea, the jury did not un- | derstand the issue of the case and many | others.
 Demonstrations Explained. | About 15 witnesses, some of them the most prominent men of the city and county who had been present throughout | the trial were examined this afternoon as to the demonstrations In the court room which were demonstrations on be- half of the state" and while all agreed to the demonstrations, many agreed, | when cross examined by the district at torney, that they were demonstrations re- sulting from a tilt of opposing learned l counsel.
 The defense submitted the motion with out argument and Judge Buckley prompt l ly overruled their contention. | MT. Landrum said this afternoon: Tn view of such a public sentiment against my client I could hardly expect any | other verdict"
 MT. Witherspoon said: "The supreme court will set the verdict aside'' | MT. Sturdivant of the prosecution said: l 'I cannot speak of any verdict from a | case in which I am concerned l The verdict was no surprise to the peo- pie of Columbus.
 LINC0LN'S MEMORY IGNORED