The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-02-20
ROBIN COOPER TAKES STAND
IN HIS OWN AND HIS
FATHERS DEFENSE
One of the Largest Crowds Ever Seen at Nashville Courthouse As
embes at Trial of the Muderers Of Senator Carmac-Yong
Lawyer, in Clear Voice and Refined Accent of Educated
Southener, Tells of Incidents Leading up to Killing.

Nsshvinc, Feb. 2o.-The adjourn
ment Of Thursday only seemed to whet
the appetite of public interest in the
trial of Col. Duncan B. Cooper, Robin
Cooper. and John d. Sharpe, for
The killing of former Senator Z. W.
Carmack When the court opened to-
dav. one of the largest crowds ever
seen around a Nashville courthouse,
awaited the arrival of the deputies,
One reason was that II was rumored
that Col. Cooper would be the first wit
ness for the defense. Another story
had II that a mysterious witness from
Missouri, who saw the shooting and
who had been threatened with death
II he testified, would appear for the
state.
The missing state witness not hav-
ine arrived. Judge Anderson at IL
o'clock, said. Robin Cooper, take
the stand
murmur Of surprise and expecta-
tIon swept over the room The court
rapped for order sternly. Some wom-
en- arose. the better to see, and then
deputies ordered them TO remove their
hats,
Robin Cooper Is a slender. boyish,
clear cut looking youth. He gave his
age 27, his profession as lawyer. He
said he was son Of d. B. Cooper, and
knew John Shupe. the other defend
ant, yerv we'll In a clear voice and
with the refined accent of the educat-
ed southerner, Cooper gave brief
sketch of his life He said he lived
with his uncle, James Bradford, OF
counsel for the defense. and practiced
law in the latter's office. He said he
came to town on Monday, Nov 9, With
his uncle, Mr.. Bradford. arriving at
8 a. N.
Did you see your father that morn
: lng?"
HE came to my Office soon after he
arrived He came into Mr.. Bradford's
private office, where ! was IN confer
ence with Mr.. Davis"
From the moment her favorite
brother began to talk. Mrs. Burch lean
ed forward In her chair, looking eager
ly into his eyes and seeming scarcely
TO breathe as he talked. Col. Cooper,
seated next 10 his youngest daughter,
Mrs Wilson, sat back in his chair and
apparently took little interest In the
preliminary question. When his son
referred to him as Papa" the colonel
smiled and played with his gray mil
jtary moustache. The jury betrayed
much interest
Il talked awhile and someone called
me to ohancery court, where ] had
case. Then papa told ME he was afraid
he was going to have some trouble
with Mr.. Carmack-"
81 object" said Attorney General
McCsrn. ut is a self-servipg conver-
sation and is incompetent"
ANY conversation heard by Miss
Lee Is competent: and anything else
is not said the court
A sharp discussion followed and the
record was appealed to as to what Miss
Lee overheard the morning of the kill
ing 1t disclosed that Miss Lee said
she heard some expressions made by
Col. Cooper concerning Carmark "hav-.
Ing no right 10 use my name. and
have a right 10 protect myself"
BY. Judge Anderson: did you have
more than one conversation with your
father"
Only one. 1t related to but one sub
1ect"
Relate the conversation"
We object shouted the states at
Sustained" said the court; you
can explain the remarks heard only"
m Did your father make the remarks
Miss Lee repeated?"
He did,
In what connection were they
made?"
ihey were made In reply to state
inents OF mine. He said he was afraid
Of trouble. asked him why. He
said, In substance, that Mr. Carmack
IN his paper had been printing edito-
iaiS attacking his character and as
ne put it. sho4ing poisoned arrows.
ne said 1t was becoming uncomfortable.
i1e mad seen Mr. Craig the night be-
Iore' and told him to tell Carmack
sid' ne must ceaseusing his name in
h'S paper. He said Mr.. Craig returned
and said he had seen Carmack but
Sarmack said he would agree to moth
Ing
As l remember It, Mr.. Craig said to
papa that Carmack was in a yicious
mood. He said he also told Craig to
.eh Carmack that unless he ceased us.
ing his name the town Was not big
enough To hold them both.
Il was greatly worried and said I
believed my uncle could bring influ.
ences to bear to show Carmack tbo IN.
justice of his course. 1t was then that
papa said; He had no right to usc
my name and have right To protect
myself Fo'e0'
fapa said he believed Mr.. Bradford
souid help in the case and would see
nim later In the day. In the mean.
.,ne ne said: eff | could have an In,
oe .eryiew with Mr.. Carmack, / believe |
could settle"
,"e entire counsel was on their feet.
bu bnu q shsrp argument followed as 10
,yN TS tar explanatory remarks could 90,
n,a ne court held that anything In OK.
p'ahation was admissible. but that tho
tnlark ,,al as to Coopers proposed inter-
"e" with Carmack was incompetent.
Aiter this conversation, what bc,
,s m, OF your father?''
=. ne LETT tho Office and said he wouId
W mack pack later In the day.
"nal did you do then?"