Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-24
SLAYER
KEEPS UP
NERVE
Farm Hand Calmly Aids in
Picking Jury to Determine
His Fate.

GRAYS, Oct. 23.-The finding of
Kings dead body at o'clock in the
morning, the nervousness of Wilburr
on the day after this discovery, the
unlawful relations of Mrs. King and
Wilburn, and an alleged confession
by Wilburn constituted the greater
part of the evidence before the Jury
by the State in the first day of the
trial of Nick Wilburn, farm hand,
In Jones County Superior Court, for
the murder of James King, wealthy
Jones County farmer, last December.
1t was testified that Wilburn as {.
member of the search party did not
want the party to go in the direction
of the place where the body was
found. This was ELECTED in the tes-
timony of Dr. C. A. White and J. A.
Gordon
Jesse Barber, negro, who was ar
rested for the murder but afterward
released, testified that Wilburn ad-
mitted to him that he (Wilburn) had
shot King, and threatened his (Bar-
bers) life If the fact was disclosed.
Barber said. on cross examination,
that Wilbur wept like a baby while
telling how he had killed King. Bar
Der also testified that twice he had
seen Mrs. King and Wilburn in COM
away
Confession Causes Fight.
There was prolonged wrangle be-
tween Attorney Cooper, for the de-
Tense, and Solicitor Pottle over the
latter's right to tell the jury in his
opening statement what he alleged
Wilburn had confessed. The Judge
upheld his right to outline Wilburns
alleged confession.
Attorney Cooper also objected to
the presence In the courtroom of De-
tective Moore, who obtained Will
burns confession He argued that
Moore should be excluded along with
the other witnesses. Moore was al
lowed to remain. however.
The State has summoned 20 wit
nesses and the defense IA.
1t is hardly likely that a verdict
will be reached before Saturday
n. orning.
Pleads mot Guilty"
When arraigned for trial, Wilburn,
attired in a new suit and freshly
shaved, stood up. smiling, and pleaded
mot guilty" In a clear, resonant
voice. He aided his attorneys con-
siderably in the selection of the jury,
NO less than twenty being struck up
on his suggestion.
From her cell in the county jail,
which Is connected with the court
house by a bridge Of signs" Mrs.
King, who is nervously awaiting her
trial, can look into the courtroom.
even obtaining a glin- pse of the jury.
Take WiIburn in Auto.
Apprehensive lest the strong feel
ing which was so manifest at the time
of the killing had not subsidized, Sher-
If Roberts took extra precaution In
bringing Wilburn from Macon to
Grays. Wilburn was handcuffed and
seated in an automobile between the
Sheriff and Detective Moore who fer
reted out the crime and obtained a
confession from the prisoner. The
party left Macon at 1880 O'Clock and
reached Grays just few minutes be-
fore court opened and just as the
train from Macon arrived. The crowd
was expecting wilbur on the train.
and there were few at the courthouse
to observe the prisoner as he was
taken out of the auto and into the
Jail.
Sheriff Roberts will not allow Will
burn and Mrs. King to see each other.
He has arranged cell for Wilburn
on the ground floor, Immediately un.
der the cell occupied by Mrs. King.
The two prisoners have no means of
communication.