The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-08-02

roWler ana MISS Ayres at the Hills
vile Court House on March 14th.
Floyd Allen, supposed to be the
leader of the clan, and who began
the shooting, was put on trial at
Wytheville, under change of venue,
April 30th. After trial lasting two
weeks he was convicted Of murder In
the first degree, but was not sentenc-
ed, sentence being suspended so that
he might be a competent witness for
his sons and nephews accused of part
in the same crime.
Claude Tried Thrice.
Claude Allen, Floyd Aliens second
son, was put on trial for the murder
of Judge Massie. The jury gave a
verdict of murder in the second de-
gree, fixing his term in the peniten-
tiary at fifteen. years. He was next
put on trial for the murder of Com
monwealth's Attorney Foster. In this
case the jury stood eight for convic-
tion and four for murder in the sec
ond degree, and was dismissed.
His second trial for the same mur-
der began July 18th and ended as
above told. Father and son now both
await the death sentence and other
members of the family will be ar
raigned and tried as rapidly as pos
sible.
Next Venire From Bedford.
The afternoon session of the last
day of the Claude Allen trial opened
today at two-thirty. Victor Allen,
Friel Allen and Sidna Edwards were
brought over from the Jail in order
that a motion for charge of venire
might be made. The Commonwealth
moved for a venire of ,seventy-five
men to be summoned from Bedford
county, for the next trial. The Com
monwealth moved to consolidate the
indictments against Victor Allen,
Friel Allen and Sidna Edwards, which
the defense agreed to upon condition
that the Commonwealth would elect
the verdict upon which they would
try the case, dismissing the other in
dicements against the defendants,
there being five indictments against
each of the Allen clan This the Com
monwealth refused to do and it was
agreed that Friel Allen would be tried
next on indictment No. 2, for the
murder of commemorative Attorney
VIM. M. Foster, the trial to begin on
the 14th of August.
Retire at 2:4O.
| A
2:4O to consider the verdict and were
out exactly one hour and forty min
utes. When they returned the fore
man announced they had agreed upon
verdict of murder in the first de-
gree as charged in the indictment.
The defense moved that the jury be
polled, which was done with the same
result.
| The Aliens Weep.
| When the verdict was announced
the prisoners fiancee broke, down and
sobbed aloud and the prisoner for the
first time during the long trying days
of his trials showed signs of emotion
and he with his mother and all the
members of his family present wept.
Several of the jurors and lady spec
tators cried also.
The defense moved to set the ver-
dict aside as contrary to the law and
evidence and upon the ground of ex-
ceptions taken inthe case. Court was
adjourned at 4:3O until the 18th of
August, at which time Friel Allen
will be tried
There was a large number of spec
tators present. throughout the day
and the court room was crowded this
afternoon with spectators to hear the
verdict, the majority of whom were
ladies.
Second to Go to Chair.
This is the second member of the
noted Allen clan to receive a verdict
that puts him in the electric chair,
and it is thought the other three will
share the same fate. Two more are
at large somewhere in the mountains
of Carroll county, but it is hoped
they will be soon in custody, as fire.
quent rumors have been received here
as to their whereabouts, one to the
effect that Sidna Allen is suffering
from wound received in the shoot
ing at Hillsville on March 18th and
which will in time incapacitate him
for fight.