The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-06-14
THE SESSIONS COURT
ADJOURNED WEDNESDAY
JUDGE GARY CALLED TO COLUM.
BIABY SUPREME COURT.
Arthur J. Gauntt Acquitted-Other
Cases Tried-Special Term to
be Ordered.

Arthur j. Gdultt, SSHCi ally hiio \" IL
as "Dink" Gauntt, was acquitted on
Tuesday of the charge of murder. The
killing with which he was charged was
that of Mark L. Gauntt, "Dlnk
Gauntt's second cousin, which occur
red at Mark L. Gauntt's home, near the
city limits, in August of last year.
The defendant denied the killing,
contending that he was at the nome
of Mr.. ]. J. Porter, just across the
street. The main witness for the State
was Ray Williams, little negro, who
swore he saw the defendant do the
shooting. Ray Williams said when
"Dink" finished supper, he got up
from the table, went through Mark
Gauntt's room, looked at Mark Gauntt
lying in the bed, went across the hall,
got a shot gun from his own room,
came back to the door of Mark
Gauntt's room and fired the fatal shot.
There was testimony that both the de-
ceased and the defendant had been
drinking for several days, and that on
the day before Mark had told "Dink'
he must leave. The testimony was,
however, that "Dink" had appeared
apologize and humble towards the oe-
ceased, and that on the day e. the Kill
ing any feeling against "Dink'' which
Mark may have had had passed away.
The testimony of the defence was
directed principally towards establish
ing that "Dink" was at the Porter
home at the time the shot was fired.
Mr.. Porter said the defendant was at
his home when the mother of the de-
ceased called for Mr.. Porter, but Mr..
Porter said he did not hear the gun
fire. Other witnesses testified along
the line that their attention was at
tracted by the gun fire and that they
looked towards the Gauntt and Porter
homes and "Dink" did not cross from
the Gauntt house to the Porter house
after the shot, and one witness, lady
20 years of age, Mrs. Rivers, testified
that her attention was attracted by the
shot. that she looked Immediately, and
that when she looked she saw "Dink"
on the Porter piazza.
The defence vigorously attacked the
testimony of the little negro, Ray
Williams.
The defendant was represented by
Eugene S. Blease, Esq, who managed
his case ably and made an exception
ally strong argument. Solicitor Coop
er was vigorous in his prosecution, and
his argument to the jury was splen-
did presentation of his case.
Willis RoOk Convicted.
Willis Rock, colored, was convicted
on Wednesday morning Of assault and
battery of high and aggravated nature.
He was charged with assault and bat
terv with intent to kill in the shooting
of Constable Thos. P Adams, at Rocks
home in March of this year, While
Constable Adams was attempting to
execute warrant against Joe Rook,
Willis Rocks son, for violation of the
dispensary law Rook was sentenced
! to serve four months or to pay 500.
He was represented by Messrs. John
stone G Cromer.
Hot Supper Murder Case.
The case of the State VS.. Rich Cole
man. Vince Coleman and Will Brown,
colored, charged with murder in the
killing of another negro, Ulysses Calf
ney, at a negro hot supper in the May
binton community, in April of this
wear. was tried on Tuesday. The Cole
mans were represented by Mr.. J. B.
Hunter, by appointment Of the court,
and Brown was represented by Mr.. B.
Y. Chapman At the conclusion OF the
testimony the solicitor announced that
he would not ask for verdict against
! Vince Coleman. Rich Coleman was
convicted of manslaughter and was
sentenced to serve eight years. Will
Brown was acquitted.
/ Judge Frank B. Gary adjourned court
on Wednesday evening, on account OF
| the fact that he had been summoned
by the supreme court to Columbia to
an en- banc session of that court held
| ON Thursday