The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-21
SLAYER OF LAURENT TELLS
 WHY HE COMMITTED ACT
Witness Testlfies to Relations of Laur- ent and His Daughter-Miss Smith Is Put on the Stand, But
 Refuses to Answer.
By JOHN B. PATTERSON.

COAdAipuSt nlSSs, cdAudi9 V--NoPO- cial.) l.)-The ghost which has lurked be- hind the shadow of the killing of Flu gene A. Laurent since that tragedy at Artesia, Miss, last Friday afternoon, came out in uncovered nakedness this afternoon and exposed itself as even the most morbid and expectant lovers of scandal and gossip could have wished for. But with it came the ghosts from the interwoven threads of greater scandal, and more than one sensation was furnished a crowded courtroom packed with people already wrought up to a terrific nerve tension.
 The greatest sensation was when K. T. McConnico, that brilliant representa- tive of the prosecution, who is a per sonal friend of MT. Laurent, deceased, who comes from Nashville, Tenn, arose from his seat, just after MT. Smith, the defendant, had been on the witness stand for an hour, and had Justice Matthews issue an instanter for Miss Estelle Smith, the central attraction in this great case. This action came like 8 clap of thunder from clear sky and caused the greatest surprise.
 Miss Smith Sent For.
 It was then 3:45 o'clock, just the hour nhlSS Holililn WdS SupPOSSu tO Dt iedR- ing for her home near Artesia. An of ficer was dispatched to the depot but he soon returned with the information that she had left on the train.
 Telephone communication with Ar tesla to some person there by a deputy sheriff informed Miss Smith through a third party that she was wanted by the prosecuting attorney In Columbus. She stayed aboard the same train and returned to the courtroom after the trains arrival.
 The second preliminary hearing was called for 10 o'clock this morning. Jus tice Beverly Matthews and consulting advisor, Mayor Emmett S. Donnell of Columbus presided Sheriff Prowell opened court at 11:15 o'clock.
 More Counsel Wanted.
 Zack P Landrum, defendants attor- ney, arose and stated that he and MT. Smiths two brothers, who had just ar rived from Artesia, had held a con- ference at the jail and that Mr. Smith s brothers desired most counsel for the defense and that he desired to waive this hearing and allow MT. Smith to remain in jail until after the grand jurys action on the facts in the case.
 MT. McConnico presented the states views in the case in a manner which was convincing enough to Justice Mat thews to announce that the motion was overru1ed and he ordered the trial or hearing continued. MT. McConnico styled the request for postponement as a naked proposition to continue the case because the defendant wants more time."
 Plea of Not Guilty.
 The affidavit charging MT. Smith with murder, which was signed by J. s. Lau- rent from Nashville, brother of the dead man, was read to MT. Smith, who an swered mot guilty"
 Dr. Edward Lehmberg of Artesia, who was on the stand at the first hearing in Artesia, practically repeated his testi- mony. He stated that MT. Laurent was shot twice behind the ear. His testi- mony only revealed that MT. Laurent was dead from pistol shots
 J. c. Graham conductor on the Mo- bile and Ohio, Starkville branch, which runs into Artesia Junction, was the next witness. He stated that he and Laurent and several others were in conversation talking and joking as the main line train came in. Laurent was within three feet of him as MT. Smith approached, and Laurent stepped slightly forward and ex- tended his hand to Mr Smith, who went after him, pulling his gum He heard no remarks from either principal. Laurent ran about 35 or 40 feet and then into the baggage room. He did not see the shoot ing.
 MT. Landrum cross-examined MT. Gra- ham.
 In Baggage Room.
 The examination brought forth a state ment from Graham that the baggage room was rather dark when Laurent ran into it. will A. Rogers of the Mobile and Ohio Bridge company, who was witness at the first hearing, was the next witness He was nearly opposite the baggage room door, walking southerly; saw the crowd open and fellow come running toward him. The fellow, whom at that time he did not know, ran behind him, ducked from side to side once or twice and he called to man who came up toward him with a pistol in hand, Hold on; don't shoot while he Is behind me. I aint no shortstop.'' The fellow then ran from be- hind him to the baggage room with the other man, whom he stated looked like Mir. Smith, the defendant. after him. Did not see actions of MT. Laurent in bag gage room except that after the first shot of a pistol in MT. Smiths hand Laurent tried to hide behind a sack of mail, or else pull the sack over on him.
 The cross-examination did not bring out any new testimony of material import ance. The defendant frequently spoke to his attorney during the questioning.
 Cotton Buyer Testifies.
 The next witness was A. l.. Jones, a cotton buyer from Columbus, who was at Artesia Friday afternoon. Saw man hit another, saw man lodging through crowd with a man behind him. Did not see shooting. MT. Smith had pistol in hand when he went into baggage room Saw a large man standing near baggage room door try and stop MT. Smith from entering.
 Al the close of this testimony Mir Mc- f,onnico stated that the testimony of the other witnesses was cumulative frons that already introduced and the state would rest.
 Charles R. Smith was then asked to take the stand in his own defense. Mir.
 
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