Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-06-10
FREEDOM FOR HICKS
WHO KILLED SMITH
Coroner's Jury Quickly Finds That
Shooting Was Justtiin ble-De-
PENDANTS story of Fracas.

James r. Hicks, colored, was this
morning declared by coroners jury
To- have been Justified in the killing OF
Joseph Smith, also colored, on the
night of June S, and within half an
hour after the return of the verdict
HlckY was released from the custody
of the police ana taken TO his home at
80 Edison street W. ;. kinney, also
victim OF smiths attack that led to
the Iatai shooting, ana Mollie Peters,
the negroes whose coquetry was re-
sponsiDle for the row rnat ended in
ueatn, were also released after being
held as Witnesses
Inc coroner Jury which freed Hicks
OF me cnargc OF niuruer Was oOmpUs-
eu VI a.. "A. stevens, Kane kIeuneiln
ana FRED LynDcrg, 'Fne inquest was
began yesterday afternoon under the
direction ot justice OF the Peace stan
ley A. hanks, as acting coroner, and
Was conciuuru tnls morning, witn the
verdict:
I'VE find that the killing was Justif-
able and that there was no felonious
intent"
At the coroner's hearing Hicks, Kin
ney and the Peters girl, ali principals
In the tragedy, as well as MALI dozen
colOrCd men ana habitues Of the Doug
ias oiup, testified.
The story told at the inquest brought
out the jealous hate OF Smith, who IN
his rage sought out MS rNal ln the
affections Of the colored girl, and the
interference i'm the row by Hicks That
meant either the death of Hicks or
Smith. The evidence showed tndt
smith had attacked Kinney In the
Douglas club rooms with razor ana
that Hicks had attempted to quell the
beligerent. when smith turned upon
him vita the razor and began hacking
at him with the evident intention OK
cutting his throat. Gripping Hicks by
the coat lapel smith HAD first slashed
Hicks down through the cheek before
the latter drew his revolver In self
defense and hred the two shots, the
FIRST of which entered the knee and the
second going through smith's heart
HICKS TELLS HIS STORY.
Hicks was lying on his cot in the city
Jail when his wife. accompanied by the
tailer entered TO tell him that he
would not be held for murder. With his
face and head swathed in bandages IL
was only his voice that gave expression
to his relief AS he was preparing TO
leave the Jail for his home he told his
first story Of the eventful night to .
newspaper when he said TO News
representative:
I'm glad, and I'm sorry. ] never
thought / would be convicted OF muir
der, and I'm glad to know there won't
be any charge. But I'm sorry to think
I had TO kill a man. But II was either
Smith or me.
THAT night when 7 was In the club
room I heard a noise down stairs in
the storeroom. and because we have
had some thefts there when / Went
down ] took my revolver with me. i
didn't find anything wrong, and when !
went back TO the clubrooms / still kept
my revolver in my pocket. had beer
playing game OF checkers and sat
down To the table again. All OF a ssd'
den Kinney hurst into the room with
smith after him. aud Smith had a
razor In his hand. Kinney started be-
hind the bar and Smith caught him and
began cutting AT his arms. | jumped
up and caught Smith 70 pull him away.
and Smith caught hold OF my coat AMI
then began cutting me. He had his
arm around me and / couldn't get
away-and there was just one thing
for me 20 do, to shoot
The body OF Smith Is still lying ut
O'Donnelrs mortuary. awaiting advice
from the dead mans relatives who
live In El Paso Texas.