The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-27
Several Witnesses Say Liddon
First Attempted to Draw
Pistol From Pocket
COMPLETE SURPRISE IS
SPRUNG ON THE STATE
Two Ladies Arc Among the Witnesses
Who state That They Saw
Liddon Try to Draw His
Weapon

Bond in the sum of $1,000 was granted
to Robert L. Alexander yesterday after
noon by Judge I. H. Benners of the in
ferior court, before whom the preliminary
trial of Alexander for the killing of A.
o. Liddon was heard. The bond was made
Immediately.
The defense sprang a decided surprise
by introducing witnesses showing that
Liddon had attempted to draw pistol
from his pocket an instant before Alex.
ander drew his. The most important wit
ness to this fact was Mrs. lola Davis,
who testified that she was walking direct
ly behind Liddon at the time the shooting
began Other witnesses told of Liddon
making a movement to his hip pocket,
while one testified that Liddon had made
threats on Alexander's life. Miss Ola
Hamilton also testified to the same eff
feet.
1t was shortly after 8 o'clock when
the defense announced that 1t would rest.
The state endeavored to introduce wit
nesses in rebuttal to testify as to whether
or not Liddon had fallen to the ground
before the third shot. The defense OBJ
jected to such testimony being introduced
in rebuttal, Judge Benners sustaining the
objection. and the state announced that
1t would rest The state also announced
that it would submit the case without
arguing. The defense stated that it was
willing, but submitted some authorities
showing why the prisoner should either be
granted ball or full liberty. Judge Ben
ners stated that the authorities were
not necessary; that he was "of the opin-
ion that the defendant was entitled to
bail and he would allow it in the sum of
S3OOO"
Friends of Alexander crowded around
and congratulated him. Request was made
of Judge Benners that he be allowed 70
remain in the court room in charge OF
a bailiff while the bond was being signed
which was readily granted.
Mrs. Davis Testifes
Mrs. Davis testimony was, in effect
II was crossing Second avenue at the
corner of Nineteenth street at the time
of the shooting. did not know either
Mr.. Alexander or Mr.. Lddon. I was
walking behind the man who was shot
When / crossed the last track he was
nearly to the curb of the sidewalk. Sud-
denly he reached into his pocket and
attempted to draw pistol. 1 saw a man
who had just come out of the cigar store
reach for his pistol a moment after the
man in front of me attempted to draw
his. The man who was shot was unable
to get his pistol it seeming to stick to
something, and then the other man fired
He shot twice and the man In front oil
me started falling and I turned my head
He was shooting directly at me. I did
not see the third shot as 1 turned my
head
Miss Ola Hamilton testified that she
had just turned the corner from Nine
teenth street into Second avenue (the
Florence corner) going toward Twentieth
street, when she heard Il man say, 1--WE
might as well settle this now II turned
and saw a man just OFF the curb stand
ing half turned from me with his hand
under his coat she said. The shooting
then began and started running across
the street.
g. NJ Arlington told OF Llddon having
remarked to him about Alexander tina.
he would do him as l did his brother"
Witness said he repeated this to Alex
ander and told him that he had better
keep his eyes open. He stated that he
had known Liddon for several years, first
in Selma and then In Birmingham, and
that he had known Alexander for about
a year
Saw Hand Go to Pocket
j. L. Ham testified that he was stand
ing upon the Pizitz corner with two