Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-12
JUDGEHOLDS
CORONER'S
WRIT NOT
LEGAL
Delay in Hearing viii Mean
Woman's Commitment to Jail,
Attorney Says.

Following close upon a deci-
sion by Superior Court Justice
Pendleton Saturday morning
that a warrant signed by the Cor
oner of Carroll County was not
enforceable in Fulton County.
G. 4. Crawford "a nephew and
beneficiary under the $250,0O0
will of Joshua B. Crawford, went
before Justice of the Peace C. H.
Giradeau and swore out a second
warrant charging the widow,
Mary Belle Crawford, with muir
der.
constables r. F. Mauldin and w.
W. Rogers went Immediately to the
home Of Mrs. Crawford, at West
Peachtree and Fourteenth streets, %
arrest her and take her before Justice
Grardeau for commitment trial.
The first warrant charging Mrs.
Crawfod with murder was signed by
Coroner c. w. Baukin, of Carroll
County, who had disinterred the body
of Joshua B. Crawford and found
evidence Of poison. Crawford died IN
Fulton county March p, 1903.
Hearing May Be Delayed.
The warrant reached Atlanta FRI
day, and Sheriff Mangum notified
Mrs. Crawford to appear before JUS
tice Of the Peace d. K. Johnson Sat
urday morning, when a hearing would
be held as to the authority of the
Sheriff to serve the warrant in Fulton
County.
Colonel ]. s. James, attorney for
the heirs, said later that he did not
know whether both sides would be
ready for the commitment trial, as
the prosecution has several material
witnesses out of the State.
In the event of delay in the COM
mitment hearing, he said, Justice
Girardeau would have no other alter
native than to commit Mrs. Crawford.
to Jail.
Arnold Sees Exonerstion.
Attorney Arnold said Mrs. CEaw-
ford would be completely exonerated
at the prospective hearing before q
justice Of the peace. He said the ac-
ton was nothing more than a move
IN force" civil procedure
1T is not really the Crawford heirs
who are fighting me-" said Mrs. Craw-
ford, but the rather distant rela-
tives who were not mentioned in any
will. l settled with the real heirs &C
cording to the VIII left by Mr.. Craw-
ford's first wife. Every one was
satisfied
Il gave Charlie Crawford more than
he was even entitled to by the will
that was made before l even knew
the man later married. He thanked
me for the generosity by later letting
the very distant relatives prevail
upon him to fight me. He decided
them an interest In his share of the
property and filed suit. Since then
he has fought me. The closer rela-
tives have never been anything but
my best friends"
Sheriff Mangum will select the
Justice Court for the hearing instead
of the attorneys. 1t is more than
likely it will start in the forenoon.
and it is not improbable it will be
necessary to conclude Monday.
Widows Side of Case.
Attorney Arnold, for Mrs. Crawford,
issued the following statement Friday
afternoon:
There is nothing whatever new in
the recent developments of the Craw-
ford case.
-Four years after Crawford's death
some of the collateral kinpeople Of J.
B. Crawford and his first wife, who
are seeking to recover this estate.
worth perhaps 100000, from the Wild
ow and legatees under Crawford's
will, went to Carroll County with
their lawyer, ]. S, James, and DR..