Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-13
COOPER'S TRIAL
ATTRACTS MANY
COURT INVITES SPECTATORS
TO RETURN
JUDGE PROMISES CHANGE OF
PROGRAM TODAY
General Washington Continues Dra-
matte Appeal for What He Con-
siders Justice-Anderson
Argues on Law Only
fBy Associated Press. ]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. March Il
"Come back again tomorrow, ladies'
and gentlemen, and Wen have an en-
tire change of program for you.
This was the cheerful announcement
made today by Judge Hart in the
Cooper Sharpe murder trial, after the
immense crowd had been treated to
nine more hours of stirring southern
eloquence in which lawyers for the
defense sought to justify the killing OF
E. w. Carmack.
The defense win need considerable
more argument before closing it's case.
Former Judge James M. Anderson
talked at rapid gait today until he
got weak and then said:
'.I am very exhausted, your honor"
turning to Judge Hart, "and ask your
indulgence until tomorrow"
The court was willing to let him quit
and the spectators filed out, looking
forward to the promised entertainment
of the next day.
Was Carmack's Friend
Strangely enough. Lawyer Anderson
was close personal friend and
political supporter of Senator car
mack. Only once in his speech did ne
refer to Colonel Cooper as the old
soldier" and not once did he appeal to
the sympathies of the jurors. He
boldly disclaimed any idea of pleading
that any editorial or speech could
Justify the Staying of Carmack, anu
declared the defense rested solidly
and alone upon the law implanted in
all living beings-the law of self
preservation.
"The law gives them this right" he
declared, whether Colonel Cooper mad
threatened Carmack's life or not. And
even If Robin Cooper had gone over
there and struck Senator Carmack in
the face with his open hand, he would
have had a legal and moral tight to
have killed him if the senator at
tempted to draw a revolver"
Washington's Argument
When the trial was resumed today
General Washington of the defense
continued his argument:
General Washington said:
'I want to direct your attention to
James c. Bradford. He enters the case
the morning of the tragedy at the Max
well house when the governor tele-
phones him and Immediately his great
efforts are apparent in trying to avert
tragedy.
yet these hungry, starving lawyers
for the prosecution--hungry and starV-
ing for facts--would have you believe
that this splendid lawyer, this Chris
tian gentleman, this scion of an aristo-
cratic old family, suddenly became q
raging he-devil thirsting for blood and
plotting murder.
Then he passed on to Adjutant Gen
eral Tulley Brown, to whom he paid
tribute as Confederate soldier and
added:
II tell you, Brown Is as much hero
as Hobson was. Yet they say he lied"
General Washington referred TO MISS
Lee. He said she was In the office en-
tertaining company.
II am not surprised" said he, that
al p n
She and Mrs. Blake were talking about
a new hat"
Voice Is Falsetto
General Washington, in falsetto
voice, indulged in mimicry of the two
young women. The crowd that lined
up behind the defendants, previously
referred to by Attorney General Nc
Carn as the defendants ''rooters,"
laughed repeatedly at the antics of the
attorney. Judge Hart raped Tor Or
der. but the deputies made no effort
to suppress the demonstration.
These "rooters'' climb up on the step
of the bench, face the jury and evident
ly endeavor to convey their approval
over the judges shoulders to the twelve
men who are trying the case. Judge
Hart has repeatedly cleared them off
When the laughter began again today
he cleared the steps again and ordered
the deputies to keep them cleared.
General Washington once more
reached the actual shooting and called
a messenger boy to help him re-enact
the tragedy. This was the third time
this has been enacted.
You are Carmack," he exclaimed.
Washington seized the automatic re-
vover, croucned down with cleaning
eyes and bristling mustache. The boy,
frightened, began to back away as
Washington stealthily advanced. The
crowd laughed, and the judge did too.
"a son who sees his fathers enemy
revolver in hand and does not kill that
enemy as he would a dog Is not fit to
be food for worms" the attorney de-
clared
Again and again the attorney re-
enacted the tragedy. Again and again
he declared Robin had a right to shoot
Carmack like a dog. Again and again
he declared that Carmack was a cow
ard: that he hid behind Mrs. Easton
trying to get his revolver into position
for action.
General Washington concluded after
having spoken eleven hours.
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