The Monroe journal. [volume] (Monroe, N.C.) 189?-1965, 1910-08-09
nv soon after they heard the gun

very soon after they heard the gun
fired.
Mrs. Carrie Parks testified princi-
pally as to the first shooting and
said it was not her brothers voice
that called Parks out on the porch
that night.
Mrs. Plyler, mother Of the defend
ant, testified to an alibi for him both
at the time of the first shooting and
at the time Of the killing. A num-
Der of witness for the defense testi-
fed for alibis for both McManus and
Mayhem, and several character wit
nesses gave these two defendants
good characters. In all, twenty-five
witnesses testified for the State and
twenty-four for the defendants.
The chief contentious of the State
were as to the motive and opportu-
nifty of Plyler for committing the
crime, and the connection of the two
negro defendants with him, they be-
ing in his employ and he having
made statements to them before and
after the commission of the crime
which implied collision; the threats
made by Plyler against Parks, and
the evidence as to his having done
the first shooting, and also his state
ments and actions after the finding
OF the body. The State contended
that it had knocked into a cooked
hat" the alibis set up by the defend
ants. The defense contende6 that
its alibis as to all the defendants
were clearly established; that the ev-
idence of the State given in rebuttal
Of the alibis really made them more
convincing; that the witnesses for
the State, as to threats, statements
and actions Of Plyler, had made con-
flicting statements at this trial with
those made at the inquest and pre-
liminary, although they were sworn
to tell the whole truth at each, and
consequently these witnesses we're
not worthy of belief. The defense
contended that it was unreasonable
that Plyler should have made the
statements, these witnesses said he
made, so publicly if he was intend
ing to commit a crime. That if the
defendants committed the murder, it
was unreasonable to suppose that
they would have left the body out in
the woods for two days when they
had ample opportunity to conceal it.
In short, the defense contended that
these and other circumstances, taken
together, should raise in the minds
Of the jury at least reasonable
doubt of the defendants guilt and
therefore they ought to acquit them.
Judge Allen delivered clear and
impartial charge to the jury, ex-
planning to them the rules which
govern the consideration Of evidence,
giving them the law by which they
must be guided, and reviewing fully
the contentious Of both sides. The
jury was generally considered to be
a most intelligent one. Judge Allen
remarked from the bench, on Sun
day after the verdict was rendered,
that upon consideration of the evil
dence, there could be no criticism of
the jury whether their verdict had
been guilty or not guilty. The fol-
lowing gentlemen composed the
jury: A. NJ. Newsome, W. P. Little,
J. D. Faulkner, J. G. Helms, w. D.
Hasty, w. B. Smith, |. J. Carpenter,
J. w. Martin, J. E. Moore, A. L.
Locke, H. |. Hagler, G. w. Smith.
The prosecution was represented
by Solicitor Stack and Redwine &
Skies; the defense by Adams & Arm
field, Williams, Lemmond & Love
and Parker.
Other cases disposed Of by the
court were as follows:
Baxter Crowell, assault and bat
terry; 6 months on roads.
Charles Huntley, assault and bat
terry with deadly weapon; $40 and
costs.
Tyre Price, George Hart, Tom
Welsh and Joe Brewer; submit to
forcible trespass; costs and bond Of
500 each and to appear at Janu-
ary and August terms of criminal
court for two years and show that
they have been of good behavior.
Bow Harris, submits to forcible
tresspass; costs.
John Carter, selling liquor; not
guilty.
Jas. X. Polk, assault and battery;
guilty.
Sutton Long, SANDER; plea Of nolo
contendere entered which is accepted
by the State upon payment Of costs.
Raymond Baker, embodiment; not
guilty.
]. E. Doster, assault and battery;