New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-11-16
ROBIN COOPER ACQUITTED
Second Trial on Charge OF Killing
Carmack Ends.
JUDGE DIRECTS VERDICT
Action Taken on Recommends
ton of Attorney General-Few
in the Courtroom.

Nashville. Tenn, Nov. 15.-Rooin ). coop
.r ch.-,.d with the murder of ex-senator
Edward w. Carmack on November o. i'''
was found not guilty In the criminal Noo'
this morning on the recominei'u''iou VI
Attorney General Anderson. This Verdict
closed what is probably the most ceieprat-
ed case in the history of Tennessee Id
striking contrast to the scenes at the hrSt
trial. when the courtroom was packed b9
those eager to hear the evidence the'e
were only a few persons besides the couh-
sci present.
Attorney General Anderson said ne "ouiu
like to have a jury for the disposition VI
the case. and jury No. was called.
This defendant and Colonel Duncan b.
Cooper and John Sharp were indicted JONI
ly for the murder of Senator Carmack'
the Attorney General said. The case re-
suited in the acquittal of Sharp. Coionei
Cooper and this defendant were found
guilty Of murder In the first degree. Inc
Supreme Court affirmed the case OF Colonel
Cooper, but as to this defendant there was
q reversal
Judge Neil then said that in view OF the
statement of the Attorney General and the
fact that no furher effort was being made
to prosecute the case, the jury should re-
turn a verdict Of not guilty. which was
done.
Edward Ward Carmack, editor of 1.-THE
Nashville Tenneesseean'' and former United
States Senator, was shot and killed In one
Of Nashville's principal streets on the after
noon of November s, two years ago. On
March 19 of last year Colonel Duncan
Cooper and his son Robin were convicted of
murder in the second degree and sentenced
to twenty years in prison. On April 13 the
Supreme Court affirmed the conviction Of
Colonel Cooper. Thereupon Governor NAL
colin r. Patterson pardoued the elder man.
new trial was granted to the son. John
Sharp, who had been indicted jointly with
tho Coopers, acquitted. 1t was pre-
dicted at the time that Robin Cooper would
eventually be freed.
The trouble which eliminated in the
shooting and deeply stirred all Tennessee
began a few months before the tragedy,
when Mr.. Carmack ran for Governor in the
primaries on a state prohibition platform
Mr.. Patterson opposed Carmack, and won
in the primaries.
Colonel Cooper was one of Patterson's
leading supporters. Carmack attacked
SOlOneI cooper eulloTlally, anu tiie ldllei
sent warning to the editor that he must not
repeat the offence. The ex-senator disre-
garded the warning. however, and pub
lished another editorial lampooning Colonel
Cooper more bitterly than ever. That day
the shooting took place.
According to the testimony, Colonel
Cooper. his son and John Sharp, a friend,
were on their way to the courthouse to see
Governor Patterson. They met Carmack.
who, 1t was testified, at once opened fire
One bullet went through the shoulder of
Robin Cooper. Then. SO he testified, the
wounded man drew his pistol and fired.
killing Carmack.
On the other hand the prosecution had
witnesses who testified to hearing the
elder Cooper shout, as they sighted the
editor: We've got the drop on you. Car
mack"
Governor Patterson In pardoning Colonel
Cooper, declared that the evidence showed
the elder man had not fired shot, and
that there had been no conspiracy to kill
the ex-senator. Nevertheless. the stir
caused by his executive clemency caused
Governor Patterson to abandon the contest
for reelection.