The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-01-07
KILLING ON STREET
FOUR SHOTS FIRED INTO MAN AT
CHARLESTON.

FOUR SHOTS FIRED INTO MAN AT
CHARLESTON.
Evidence Seems to Show That Man
Acted in Fear Of Serious Bodily
Harm.
Isadore NJ. Acosta, Of Memphis,
Monday shot and killed Edward J.
Meehan at Charleston, better known
in the sporting circles of that place
as Mickey. After examination by
the coroner's jury Acosta was ab-
solved, on the grounds OF justihable
homicide. While the verdict practi-
cally means acquittal, friends of
Acosta put up $1,000 bond for his
appearance before the grand jury
next February.
The evidence showed that Police
man Bowick, who was standing at
Market and Meeting street Monday
morning when he heard four pistol
shots. He started down Meeting
street to investigate and met Acosta
near the Circular church. He said
that he asked him if he had heard
the shots. Acosta replied, stated the
policeman, that he did the shooting,
and supposed that he had killed
man on Chalmers street. Officer
Bowick then informed Acosta that he
was under arrest and took him to the
scene of the killing. AS they neared
Chalmers street Officer Bowick said
that Policeman Slattery came from
around the corner, holding pistol in
his hand. He called to his brother
officer not to fell uneasy, as he had
the man who did the shooting.
The next witness was Officer Slat-
terry, who stated that he ran to the
scene on Chalmers street from his
post on Broad street, and found Nee
han lying dead on the north side
walk, short distance from Meeting.
The body was lying face down, and
partly under it was pistol. He
picked up the weapon and found that
it's contents were intact. He rushed
around the corner and met Officer
Bowick and Acosta coming down the
street.
At the police station the prisoners
name was taken and he was charged
with shooting and killing Meehan,
whose name was given then as Ma
hon, because Acosta did not know the
man well, and the police had not
time to find any one to identify the
body. He was lodged in lobby cell
and was held there until the inquest.
Acosta was asked at the inquest If
he wished to make statement, but
was told that it was not compulsory.
In calm manner he related the de-
tails that led up to the shooting. He
said that Meehan had followed him
to within a few steps OF his boarding
place, on Chalmers street. At this
point Acosta said that Meehan asked
him for $50 and threatened to kill
him if he did not give him the money.
Acosta said that he refused to give
the money, and when Meehan whip
ped his weapon out of his pocket he
hurriedly drew his pistol out Of his
right overcoat pocket and fired four
shots. He said that he believed that
his life was in danger and that If he
had not acted as he did he would
have either been killed or seriously
wounded. He said that he hated to
kill the man, but that he was forced
to do so.
When questioned by juror he
said that he met Meehan about the
first OF the month. He related that
about two or three weeks ago Nee
han followed him and on Meeting
street, near Chalmers street. demand
ed at the point Of pistol that he give
him 500. He did not give him the
money then, he said, but the next day
gave him $50. He was approached
again, he told the jury, and this time
gave him $50. According to his view
of the affair Meehan was blackmail-
ing him. He did not propose to give
him any more money, he said. and
bought the weapon with which he
killed the man. He also stated that
Meehan was drug fend of some
kind and that he did not care to take
any chances with him.
A dispatch from Memphis says that
Tsadore NJ. Acosta of that place, who
shot and killed E. J. Meehan at
Charleston, is we'll known there.
where he has extensive property in
terests. He resides with two daugh-
tiers and is known as a quiet, peace
able citizen.