The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-11-25
THE WASH HUNTER CASE.
Hard-Fught Case Soon to be Argued
in United States Supreme
Court.

ington is to the effect that John G.
Capers, Esq, has filed an important
brief in the case Of G. Wash Hunter,
convicted of manslaughter on an in
dictment charging him with murder
in the killing Of E4bert F. Copeland in
1906, and sentenced to eight years.
Imprisonment in the State peniten-
tiary.
This is one Of the hardest-fought
cases in the criminal annals Of South
Carolina. According to the version
Of the killing given at the trial Cope
land and Wash Hunter, the defend
ant, were engaged in poker game
in the store of R. Lee Hunter, near
Goldville, in company with R. Lee
Hunter, a twin brother Of the defend
ant, and Ross Leake, friend Of al
the parties. A dispute arose as to
the number Of cards held by Copeland,
bringing on the difficulty which re-
suited in the killing. Copeland had
a leg which was practically useless
and used crutches, but the testimony
was to the effect that he was a pow
erful man in all respects except that
of his MANNED leg. The testimony OF
the defence was to the effect that in
the difficulty Copeland, bracing him
self with an arm on the table, and
holding Hunter in the breast was at
tempting to cut him with pocket
knife, when Hunter fired the four
shots which resulted in Copeland's
death.
The deceased was brother OF
Messrs. E. B. and o. o. Copeland, OF
this city.
The case came on for trial at the
fall term Of the sessions court for
Laurens in 1905. before the late
Judge James Aldrich. a verdict OF
guilty of Granddaughter was returned,
but a new trial was granted by Judge
Aldrich on the ground Of j-regulari-
ties in the management Of the jury
after it had been charged with the
consideration of the case. The first
trial was during the first week OF the
two weeks term of court. e"f Judge
Aldrich ordered another trial during
the second week Of the court. Tne
second trial resulted in mistrial.
At the next term Of the court the
case was continued by Judge Purdy,
who was then presiding, on account OF
the fact that Hon. Cole. L. Blease, OF
counsel for the defence, was engaged
in his official duties in the legislature
as a. member Of the State senate from
Newberry county.
Judge Watts was presiding at the
summer term Of the sessions court
and the case was again ordered to
trial, and another mistrial resulted.
At the next term Of the court Judge
Ernest Gary presided, and another
tria al was had, which was the fourth
trial Of the celebrated case, and after
keeping the jury out until it was seen
that an agreement was Impossible,
another mistrial was ordered.
The State then moved for a change
Of venue, and after thorough argu-
ment and the presentation of a num-
Der of afidavits, Judge Gary transfer
red the case to Greenwood county Tor
trial. The defence appea&ed, but
Judge Gary was sustained, and the
remittitur came down just in time for
the next term Of the court at Green
wood, and Hunter was placed on trial
in the sessions court Of Greenwood
county before Judge Geo. W. Gage
and a jury, and was convicted OF man
slaughter and sentenced to serve
eight years in the State penitentiary.
Bail was granted and bond given and
the case was appealed to the supreme
court Of South Carolina, which az
frmed the judgment Of the circuit
court. On a writ Of error granted by
Chief Justice Y. J. Pope, the case was
then taken to the supreme court OF
the United States, where 1t is now
pending, and will soon be argued.
In all his trials in the circuit courts
Hunter was represented by Hon. Cole.
L. Blease and Mr.. W. R. Richey, OF
Iaurens. In the Laurens courts the
State was represented by Solicitor Il.
A. Cooper and Messrs. Ferguson &
Featherstone.
At Greenwood the State had the as
sistance Of Mr.. F. Barron Grier, Of the
Greenwood bar. Since the case has
been in the United States supreme
court the attorneys for the defence
have been assisted by Mr.. John e.