The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-04-14

JoIIC elm NulS against
Two Men for Attempting to
Influence Venirenan in Be-
half Of Powell.
Weldon Roanoke News
Tie murder trial of f. f. Powell, in
Halifax Superior Court, charged with
killing G. ", Dunn, in Scotland Neck,
Mr.. Dunn baing shot on March 4th
and dying on the 18th day of the
month, came to in abrupt end Fri
day afternoon. after ten jurors had
been chosen, $50 veniremen examined
and after the defendant had ex-
hausted 1S Of his perrmptOry chal-
lenges, and with % veniremen in
court not examined.
o. Judge Ward announced after ex-
hauSting the first venire that in his
opinion the case should go to another
county and that he would rule on he
matter at the afternoon session. AS
soon as court avis opened Friday
afternoon he said: Gentlemen, |
W III iIION Z IIIIo CtlSC " CtlIOUtltl COullbN 9.
In doing SO ! in 40 sense reflect on
the citizenship of Halifax county.
When | went into this case | did not
think it necessary to move it, but
after examination of $50 jurors | am
now convinced it should go to an
other county. There seems to be a
fiXedness of mind on the part of the
men examined here as to the guilt of
the prisoner, the majority of them
declaring that on oath they could
not give the prisoner fair trial.
This feeling appears to be natural,
and | might so feel myself under
similar circumstances. Warren was
selected as the county, and at the
June term beginning June Goth.
Solicitor Kerr then sprang a sen
satiOn by asking for a rule against
l.. r. Carter, of Scotland Neck, and
c. T. Lewis, of Palmyra, on the seri-
Gus charge OF attempting to influence
Venireman L. A Daniel, knowing him
to be summoned on a special venire,
| in favor of Powell.
Judge Ward, after examination of
Daniel, on oath, issued rule for
Carter and Lewis, returnable before
him in Halifax Superior Court Satur-
day morning at halfpast nine O'Clock.
Information was received that Car
ters mother had just died. Judge
Ward said, 81 regret this very much,
| but this is a matter that must be
dealt with promptly and by this
| court, so shall require Carter to ap.
pear before me Saturday morning. y
Full particulars of the trial in de-
| tail follow:
Court convened Thursday morn
ing, March 81, at ten O'Clock with
Judge George W. Ward presiding
The defendant, E. E. Powell, was
brought into court and had a seat
near his attorneys-Judge r. w
Winston, and Gay & Midyette. The
attorneys for the State were Solicitor
John II. Kerr and W. E. Daniel as
sisted by Congressman Claude Kitch
in.
The State was ready for trial, but
the defense asked for a continuance OIL
removal. Judge Winston in arguing
for continuance or removal read af
tidavits and newspaper clippings and
did not believe that his client could
get fair trial in Halifax county
"We are not asking that our client be
liberated. Our only plea will be ins an
ity and we think that he should be
confined in an asylum for the insane
for the remainder of his life" He also
asked for continuance on the ground
of the illness of Chief of Counsel G. b
AycOck for the defense. W. E. DAME
and Congressman kitchin argued
against q removal or continuance
presenting affidavits to the effect
that the defendant could get a fail
and impartial trial in Halifax county
Judge Ward promptly ruled "wt
will 90 on with the case.
The examination of the regular
Jurors for the week then began.
G.. II. Johnson, of Scotland Neck
was excused.
H. l.. Faucett believed prisonel
guilty, but could give fair trial, stood
aside.
W. J. Partin had formed and ex
pressed ali opinion that the prisoner
was guilty but could give fair trial
rejected by defendant.
b. G. ROdwell believed prisOne
guilty.
r. ". Lucas could not give prisone
fair trial.
j. \. Carter, of Littleton, accepted
as juror No. L.
| Il. \. Hardy, challenged by TIL
State and stood aside.
c. VI. Cotton could not give fai
trial.
This exhausted the list OF regula
jurors and the court took a recess til
, O'Clock with one Juror sitting alon
in the box.
At the afternoon session the call O
special veniremen began promptly.
l.. L, Garner had expressed opinion
prisoner was guilty and could no
give fair trial.
Henry Stokes and W. F. Opheli,
placed at foot OF panel.
Bud Barnes not acceptable to de
fendant
R. G. Branch could not give defend
ant fair trial.
w II. Iiloo was Helu " Oe ldlI tu
impartial juror. Peremptory cha
lenge by defendant.
S. S. Viverette had served within
years.
j. X. Dickens believed him guilty.
H. J. Adcock foot of panel.
Robert Shaw had served in 2 years
". L. Cook not a free holder an
rejected by defendant.
I. W. Myrick foot of panel.
". c. Dickens challenged by Stat
and not acceptable.
c. c. King was Of opinion tha
prisoner was guilty.