The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1913-06-19
COBB FOUND GUILTY.

About the time we went to press
last week there was an unexpected
turn in the case then being heard in
Halifax Superior court, charging K.
w. Cobb and Henry Gurkin, two
Young men Of Rosemary, with the
murder of Mr.. Thomas Shaw, a
prominent mcrchant-farmer, living
in that community, on the night OF
the third of May. The evidence was
not sufficient to justify the solicitor
in asking for verdict of murder in
the first degree against Gurkin and
a motion was made for his discharge
and the Judge gave him his liberty,
and thereupon he was made States
witness and testified as to what he
knew about the case. But his evil
dence was not very strong, and only
went to prove some statements that
he had made before the trial began.
Gurkin was later arrested and is
held under bond as an accessory to
the fact and will be tried at the next
term of court.
The taking Of evidence for and
against the defendant Cobb contin-
ued until Thursday morning about
eleven o'clock and then argument
began. The arguments continued
until about five o'clock Friday after
noon, when Solicitor Kerr closed for
the Safe. Judge Lane delivered an
able, impartial charge and the jury
took the case and about nine o'clock
returned a verdict of guilty of muir
der in the first degree.
The following account of the clos
ing scene of this noted trial is taken
from the Weldon correspondent of
the News and Observer:
Weldon, June 14.-Judge Lane
this morning. after overruling mo-
tions for a new trial, sentenced R.
w. Cobb, found guilty of murder in
the first degree, to die in the cleo
trio chair September 10, 1913.
The stiffness of death prevailed in
the court room when the young
prisoner walked steadily in front of
the desk and faced the court with
not the culver Of a muscle as his
hend was held up. He was appar-
emily the coolest person in the
crowded court room.
His little sweetheart, Miss Ednah
Dickens, of Rosemary, who has been
faithful in her attendance every day
and every hour since the trial began
to the close, was seated near, crying
softly behind her handkerchief,
while the aged father of the prison
er stood with dry eyes, yet suffer-
ing countenance, and many others
even visibly moved as in measured
tones Judge Lane said:
Defendant Cobb hold up YOUR
right hand. The jury has returned
a verdict of murder in first degree.
If you have anything to say why
sentence of death should not be pro-
nounced, you may now speak"
The prisoner shook his head in re-
ply in steady voice, Nothing sir"
Sentence was then pronounced,
ending with, "And may the Lord
have mercy gu your SOUL"
Counsel for defendant gave notice
OF appeal to the Supreme court.
No case in Halifax county in thir-
ty years has attracted such great
interest, and surely no defendant
has in twenty-five years been more
faithfully and ably represented. J.
T. Pippen and R. C. Dunn labored
faithfully for the acquittal of their
client and took advantage of every
circumstance tending to show that
others than. the defendant could have
committed the crime. In the hands
of Solicitor Kerr. E. L. Travis and
A. l.. Clark the interest of the state
was handled with skill and ability.
Eafc rhoukon