The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-02-26
ROBIN COOPER
CROSS-EXAMINED
Carmack's Slayer Holds His Own
With Ease-Noted Trial at Nash
vile Progressing Rapidly.

Nashville, February 22.-When the
court adjourned tonight in the midst
fo the cross-examination Of John D.
Sharpe, the honors were easy be-
tween the State and the defence in
the Cooper Sharpe trial for the slay~
ing of former United States Senator
Edward W. Carmatk. Young Robin
Cooper, under a bitter cross-examina-
tion Of nearly four hours, held his
own with ease. He was always cool,
careful and displayed an inclination
to be absolutely fair that evidently
Impressed the jury and just as evil
IDENTIFY exasperated Attorney General
McCarn. The next witness, and the
only other one Of the day, was John
D. Sharpe, another of the defendants.
Sharpe told his story well under
direct examination, and made good
impression. But he was turned over
to Attorney General Garner, of
Maury county, for eross-examination.
Mr.. Garner has somewhat Of a repu-
tation in his own county for clever
work, but he was an unknown guam
tity in Nashville. When court ad:-
journed for the day the defence's s
counsel drew a long breath and we're
no longer in doubt as to Garner s
ability. His cross-examination is Of
the rapid fire order.
John Sharpe is man Of high tenn
per and Garner soon had him beside
himself. He eontradicted himself on
znany minor details, but never on the
more important particulars. Once he
got on. dangerous ground. On direct
examination Sharpe swore that he
saw the killing and that "Carmack
fell after Robin Cooper had fired
three times"
One Of the bullet wounds, neces-
sarily fatal one, pierced the sena-
tors neck within one-sixteenth of an
inch Of the spinal cord and came out
under his tongue. As Sharpe swore
that Carmack was facing young Coop
er, aiming revolver at him, thiS
would be impossible to reconcile with
the statement.
On cross-examination Sharpe said,
however, that Carmack turned his
head just as the second shot was fir
ed. He did not explain how the SEN
ator could turn his head far enough
to permit the ball to enter the median
line Of the neck on straight Line.
The State pushed Sharpe hard up to
nearly s p. m, then asked that a con-
tinuance be granted until tomorrow,
when it was allowed.
Sharpe left the stand with sigh
of relief. His faithful little wife, who
has never missed a minute at his side
in court, sprang up to meet him and
eheered him with smiles and words
Of encouragement.
Robin Cooper Testifies.
Before cross examination began
Robin Cooper testified to his rela-
tions with Carmack, which he said
were limited 10 a speaking acquain-
tance.
The cross-examination by Attorney
General McCarn then began.
"As matter Of fact you have nev-
er occupied cell have youX'
Objection sustained.
In reply to questions witness said
he was a lawyer.
"You did a great deal Of pardon
work?"
"Only once. I got a pardon for
Jesse Linder.''
"Your service then was prlnc1pai~
" to see Governor Patterson and the
pardon board?"
tI appeared before both.'' He said
Linder got fifteen years and served
about two.
The drift Of the questions was evi-
dent-to show Cooper's connection
with Governor Patterson and how IN
fluential they were.
Attorney General McCarn suddenly
switched to the day of the tragedy.
"When did yor telephone Mrs.
Burch, your sister, to find your faith
er?''
"About $50 a. m
"And you wanted your sister to
keep him off the stpeets?"
eyes, SIR
"Still your father had only left
you moment before?'
Eyes, sir
"When did you learn that your
fathar WAS armed 90