Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1909-03-17
PINSON Is CONVICTED.
Guilty of Manslaughter and Recon-
mcndcd to Mcrcy-NOtcd Case.

Laurens, March 12.-Guilty Of
manslaughter, with a recommended
tion to tie mercy Of the court, was
the verdict rendered by the jury in
the case Of young Cothran Pinson at
9.55 this morning. The jury delib-
Grated for sixteen and one-half hours,
reaching verdict shortly after 8
O'Clock this morning. MIR. Cannon,
for the defense, gave notice of a
motion for q new trial.
A Memorable Case.
The case was n memorable one, in
Guiding members of some of LaurenS
county's most prominent people. IT
excited unusual interest and the
court house was literally packed
throughout the trial, many of those
present being ladies from the county
and many from the city.
Wade Cothran Pinson, a youth was
death of one who had always been
his friend. His defense was that the
occurrence was purely accidental,
while the State endcayorcd to show
that he had on that night conceived
malice towards Boyce because the
latter was the lucky man in getting
Miss Mary Brown as a partner when
supper WAS served, and if not mur-
der, 1t was an exhibition of such
gross negligence as to constitute
manslaughter. or involuntary man
slaughter. The trial was ably con-
Quoted by counsel for both sides.
Judge Prince very forcefully charged
the jury on the laws definitions of
such terms as apply in the case.
The Arguments.
Five arguments were made in the
case, three by the defense and two
for the prosecution. The firm of
Feathcrstone and Ferguson was as
sociated in the defense during the
last few days. Mr.. Richey cor the
State opened the argument before
the dinner hour and held that it was
a murder, excited by jealousy. Mr..
LaurenS bar, made strong plea
showing that it was purely an acci
dent. After the reconvening at !
o'clock Mr. Featherstone in a speech
Drim full OF cloQucnce and strength
argued that while it was careless.
ness, it was not criminal carelcssness.
Both young Pinson and his father
shed tears during Mr.. FeatherstoLc's
argument. Solicitor Cooper, for tn.
state, urged the jury to view the
facts and inquire if it was not cul-
pable negligence at the very lea st.
lie did not touch on the jealousy
tneory advanced by Mr.. Richcy.
Judge Princes charge lasted forty
minutes, and the case went to the
jury at $50 o'clock.
The killing.
The tragedy which eliminated in
placing COthran Pinson on trial for
his life in the Court of General Ses-
sions here was enacted after thu mid
night hour on the public highway.
four miles below the town of Cross
IIill, in Cross Hill township. Novem-
Der Ith, last year. The Young man,
Pinson, and the victim OF his deadly
pistol, ThornwCll Boycc. tompanicd
by Miss Brown. all Of Cross Hill were
returning from an entertainment
given at the home Of Mrs. Eugene
Lcayell. who resides Just across the
line in Ncwbcrry county. They were
travelling in snGlc-scatcd buggy.
with Boycc seated in the lap Of Pin
son and driving the team.
Miss May Evelyn Brown.
The principal witness for the State
was Miss Mary Evelyn Brown, who
was in the buggy with Thornwcll
Boyce and Cothran Pinson on tn
way home from the party on the
night Of November 9Th. Miss Brown
is quite a young lady and was plain
ly excited when first taking the wit
ness stand. However, her answers
Wee clear and straight forward, con-
Hicting in nowise.
Upon direct examination by Solici-
tor Cooper Miss Brown testified that
she had gone to party at Mrs. E.
l.. Leavell's; that she went with Miss
Dobbins and Olin B. Pitts, hut came
back with Pinson and Boyce in order
to "let Miss Dobbins and Mr.. Pitts