The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-09
WALTER JONESON
 TRIAL FOR MURDER
 OF JOHN HOLLAND
(coNrINuED FpoM PAGE sl


 --~-~~~~--~-~~~~@~-e~ ~-~~--~~~-~>~~~~~->>-~-- gun from the negro and that Arthur Jones shot and killed him.
 Walter Jones, the defendant. testified that he had known John Holland about six months before he was killed. He said that tre negro had conditioned" some chickens for him and that they were on friendly terms.
 Walter Jones' Story
 Describing the incidents that led to Holland being lured to the woods on the day he was killed, the defendant said that the negro and Will Watson, a white man who was in the party, were "gunninge for each other and that he (Jones) wanted to straighten cut the difficulty between the two. He denied that he had taken the shotgun carried by the negro away from him and said that he asked Holland to let him examine IL, which, he states he was doing when the shot was fired that killed the negro. He stated positively that Holland was trying to pull pis- tol from his pocket when his brother fired the fatal shot, but when cross examined by MT. Burr could give no reason why tho negro made the alleged demonstration. He denied substantially his confession made to the solicitors about week ago as to the reasons why Holland was taken to the woods. He was closely examined by Mir. Burr and while admitting he made the con fession said it was not true.
 The defense closed their case and after the state put on in, rebuttal . few witnesses who were present when the confession was made. the ease closed and the arguments began.
 Locke Regins Arguments
 Assistant Solicitor Hugh Locke made the opening argument for the state. His presentation of the case to the jury was able and convincing. MT. Locke reviewed the testimony introduced by the state and pointed out to the jury the strong chain of evidence that connected the de- fendant with the killing of Holland. He stated that the guilt of the accused had been established beyond reasonable doubt and that he was as guilty under the law as the man who Actually fired the shot that killed the negro. He closed his able address with an appeal to the jury to do its duty and render a decision in accordance with the evidence that had been presented before 1t.
 Argument of Defense
 c. D. Comstock followed for the de- fense He opened his argument by ap- pealing to the jury to try the case before |. on the evidence. and the evidence alone that had been presented from the wit ness stand and that all other eonsidera- tions should be excluded when the jury made up it's verdict. He said the state hoped to convict on the theory that a conspiracy had existed to take the life of the negros Holland. He contended there was nothing in the testimony introduced by the state thavA bore out their theory, but on the other hand he said the evil dence went to show that Walter Jones was on a peaceful miseion. that he was in the capacity of a peacemaker between Holland and Will Watson who had had misunderstanding about the theft of some chickens. Mr. Comstock said that Walter Jones should not be blamed if his brother shot too quick and that he took no part in the killing of Holland. He appealed to the jury to let justice be tempered with rrercy, and said that the evidence tended to show that Walter Jones was a friend of the negro instead of an. enemy Re- ferring to the alleged confessions of Jones and his brother he asked the jury to cor slider all the circumstances under which it was obtained. MT. ComstoclS spoke vigorously and with much earliest ness as he argued for the acquittal of his client.
 Burr Closes
 Borden Burr made the closing argu- rnent for the state. It was probably the strongest address t6 the jury made dur ing the trial of the Jones boys In his opening remarks he commented on the disa agreeable task that had developed upon the jury and solicitor in this case. but that it was a duty they all owed their country and state. He vigorously iejected the theory of the defense that Walter Jones was on a peaceful mission when he with three other white men, en- ticed Holland into the woods where he