The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-25
ATTORNEYS ARGUE
 J|NWR|GHT CASE Judge Evans Makes Strong
 Plea for Sheriff BRICKELL CLOSES Impeachment Proceedings Following Bullock County Lynching Con-
 cluded-Expect Verdict
 Within Few Days

Montgomery, May 24.-tspccial)-- We cannot get mad with a. man when he does that which the God in him prompts him to do," said Judge A. A. Evans in the supreme court of Ala bama Wednesday In closing the argu- ment for the defense In the proceed ings to impeach Sheriff P. ". Jinwright for neglect of duty.
 This notable statement was made by Judge Evans in commenting on the fact that evidence had been given | showing that Sheriff Jinwright had not seemed particularly disturbed or angry over the execution of the negro Ab- | erdeen Johnson by mob on Sunday, April 2.
 | Judge Evans made a strong speech for the defense, his argument contin- uing for more than an hour and a half. The noted lawyer said that Jin. wright had used diplomacy in not at. tempting to use force with the mob particularly when he was absolutely helpless. He declared that the Bullock county sheriff would have been foo to have attempted force under the cir cumstances and that the method whicf Jinwright used In reasoning with the mob was the wisest course he could have pursued.
 Judge Evans pointed out that Jin- wright had made an agreement with the mob to deliver the prisoner over to the sheriff of Crenshaw county and that with such an understanding 1t was nRPaSSarV In rd ha iot 4i.t but one way of proving to the mob that he intended to keep faith with them. Jinwright used diplomacy rather than force according to the well known jurist, and he declared that this wa, far the best method under the circum- stances.
 Referring to the charges of con- nivance, Judge Evans said
 T cannot see how this court can think from the testimony that has been given that Jinwright was guilty of connivance with the mob; that he was guilty of incompetency. or that he was guilty of neglect of duty"
 Attorney General Robert c Rrickall closed the argument In the case. The attorney generals speech was brief, but 1t was a strong exposition of A num- Der of the facts which had been brought out in the testimony of witnesses.
 The attorney general recited to the court the duty of officers, and read the law which clothed them with power to act under certain conditions. He declared that Jinwright had not done a single af- frmative act to protect his prisoner, that all of the evidence pointed clearly to that fact, and that while direct connivance with the mob had not been shown, it had been clearly shown from circum- stances that Jinwright had had some secret understanding with the mob
 Attorney General Brickell discussed at length the agreement which Jinwright was said to have had with the mob The state attorney pointed out that this agree ment had been made behind locked doors. and that not one of his deputies was ad- mtted to the room during the conference He said that when the conference ad- jouEned several members of the mob left their guns in the room.
 The room was locked during the con- ference" said the attorney general, but 1t was not locked when some of the mob left their guns in the room"
 The attorney general declared that the strongest evidence pointed to the fact that Jinwright had neglected his duty. '+Neg- lect of duty is plainly shown from the fact that the sheriff did absolutely noth- ing to protect his prisoner" said the state attorney.
 Argument was closed shortly before noon, when the court went into recess. the judges retiring to the consultation room. It is not known when the decIs- ion of the court will be announced. but the impression prevails that it will be made known within a day or two.