The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-07-29
Verdict Found in Three Minutes.

Georgetown, July 27.-Pursuant
to the proclamation Of the governor
issued several days ago in response
to petition submitted to him by So
licitor Walter H. Wells, the spring
term of court for the trial of John
Jenkins, alias Slippery Jim Joint"
for an assault with criminal intent
upon a woman was convened here
to-day at 10 o'clock, Judge John 8.
Wilson, Solicitor Wells and Stenog-
rapher Covington officiating.
The grand jury was Immediately
assembled at the opening of the
court and after a short but instruc-
tive charge by Judge Wilson the
grand jury retired to their room to
investigate whether or not a prima
facie case could be made out against
the accused. After remaining out
about Is minutes the grand jury re-
turned and published the result OF
their investigation in court, which
was true bill against John jenkins
for assault with criminal intent al
charged. Accordingly petit jury
was drawn for the regular trial. Jen-
kins did not have counsel for his de-
fense and the court assigned Messrs.
Walter Hazard and M. w. Pyatt for
the defense, while Solicitor Wells and
James Wingate represented the State.
The testimony began about eleven
o'clock. The prosecutrix was the
first to be sworn. At the request OF
the solicitor and under the act Of the
last legislature, 80 providing, every
one was requested by the judge to
leave the court room, excepting the
near relatives of the prosecutrix, the
attorneys and other necessary ofn-
cials during the testimony of the
young lady.
The prosecutrix while on the stand,
embarrassed and in a faltering tone,
told the story clearly and distinctly,
positively identifying the accused,
who stood before her. Her startling
story brought tears to the eyes OF
many who were present and as she
left the court room, passing the
prisoner in the box, she said: Il
hope I will never see that brute alive
again."
Several other witnesses testified,
among whom were Deputy Sheriff
Ward, F. L. Siau, Jr., and several coll
ored witnesses.
At the conclusion of the testimony
the Judge charged the jury, as ne1th-
er side. cared to make speech. The
judges charge was short, clear and
instructive.
The jury retired about 2:15 o'clock
and returned in less than three min
utes with a verdict of guilty with an
assault with criminal intent, as
charged in the indictment, for which,
under the new act of the legislature,
the only punishment that may be i1-
ficted was death.
At 1925 o. m. Judge Wilson SOL
emnly pronounced the sentence OF
the court, which was to the erect
that John Jenkins, alias slippery
joint" must pay the penalty for his
crime on the gallows on August 1S;
next.
Jenkins appears to. be about II
years of age, perfectly illiterate and
of a very stolid nature. While the
sentence of death was being pro-
nounced upon him he smiled almost
necessarily and seemed to have
thought that it was smart to be the
centre of attraction Of 80 large q
crowd, which almost bulged the
walls of the court house.
jenkins was quietly carried back
to the Jail house and during the
whole trial there was perfect order.
Judge Wilson highly commended the
people for their action in the matter,
their orderly conduct, and while It
was a case of nature to excite the
highest anger, the law was allowed
to take it's full course and everything
will continue orderly until the execu-
ton is consummated.