The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-06-25
END OF THE WILLIS TRIAL
HAS NEARLY BEEN REACHED
DEFENSE CONCLUDES THE INTRODUCTION OF
EVIDENCE AND REBUTTAL TESTI-
MONY COMES NEXT.
WITNESSES TESTIFY CONDITION OF
DEFENDANT-cRossExA ANIMATION BY JOB GARNER
TRYING SEARCHING

the killing. Would leave his work fog
fifteen minutes al a time and stare
into vacancy.
Jim Sharp.
Jim Sharp was called He saw vii.
lis in restaurant at Mt. Pleasant
shortly before the killing. Defendant
had talked at random. Had refused
to take dinner with him, saying that
he wasn't eating scarcely anything
Witness thought that there was some.
thing wrong with Willis and had made
this remark to his wife.
Lawrence Harris.
Lawrence Harris, member OF the
Mt. Pleasant police force, was next.
Said that Willis had walked his beat
with him at night prior to the killing.
Defendant talked very little. APP
peared worried. Had requested the
witness to disarm Massey. Was
present when Willis regained con-
seriousness after taking the poison.
Willis had felt in his pockets for
something.
Charlie Burns.
Charlie Burns, constable at Mt
Pleasant, stated that he was with
Willis shortly after the murder. He
had assisted in forcing milk down his
throat. Willis wouldn't take it at
first, but after the milk partially
strangled him had said: I'll take it
but / have done what l wanted to-"
After Willis regained Consciousness
he had searched his pocket, finding
locket and knife. Referring to the
locket. which contained Mrs, Willis
picture, the defendant said: This is
the cause of it all. If | die lay this
on my heart"
Joe Digger.
Joe Digger. a brother-in-law of the
defendant testified to the i'll treatment
of Willis by his wife. Said that VIII
lis was always kind to his wife.
Mrs. Anna Lewis.
Mrs. Anna Lewis, sister of the
defendant, stated that Mrs. Willis had
said. referring 10 her husband. That
devil out yonder is drunk This was
at Ashwood. She testified in regard
to the abuse of the defendant by his
wife. Said that he was not well
treated.
Mrs. Will Willis.
Mrs. Will Willis, wife of the chief
of-police of Mt. Pleasant, and sister
in-law of the defendant testified re-
garding the condition of Willis prior
to the killing. He had appeared great
ly worried and had eaten but little.
She said Mrs. Willis was very "fussy"
towards her husband,
The defense then announced that
they probaly would offer no other wit
nesses, and asked the court to adjourn
until afternoon, in order to permit q
conference.
Willis crossExamined.
Henry Willis on trial for the muir
der of his wife, was put through Q
and rapid cross.examinatioQ
by Attorney General Garner Tuesday
afternoon, and while the defendant
put on a brave front, he was consid.
erably shaken by the astute prose-
cutting attorney and emerged from Q
number of corners with the scars OF
the contest plainly apparent to the
jury
Did you love your wife?"
Yes"
DO you love her memory now
yes"
Did you silf her because you loved
herr"
mo"
Did you kill her because you hated
her
No"
Then why did you kill herr"
We'll ! thought she was going to
bring my children to Columbia, rent
The. house with those other women,
and bring the children up in democrat
zing surroundings was the reply OF
the defendant after some hesitation.
The defendant denied that he ever
struck his wife or pulled her to the
floor, that he ever had serious trouble
with her before the tragedy or shot
her and said he did not know OF any