The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-12-16
Judge Williams Comments on Tes-
timony Of Detectives in Liquor
Cases--Decision Expected
Early Next Week
SIMPSON DISAGREES
WITH The COURT
Declares Belief that Defendants are
Guilty Court Hints at Rumor
of Bribery-Jurors Ex-
press Opinions

In an address to the jury yesterday
afternoon Immediately preceding their
discharge from duty at this term,
Judge N. M, Williams Of the county
court discussed matters pertaining to
the cases and verdicts found by the
jury wherein Smith and Simmons, the
correspondence school detectives
were the main witnesses.
The attitude of the court and intima-
tions made were in a measure a sur
prise to the bar and jurors alike.
Though the court did not state flatly
what action he would take in the mat
ters, he left the impression by his re-
marks that the verdicts in all cases in
which Smith and Simmons we're the
chief witnesses would be set aside. 1t
was gathered at least from his re-
marks that such action was being con-
templated by Judge Williams.
Conflicting testimony given by Smith
and Simmons in the cases as to, dates,
the time Of day and other points per-
tanning to the cases, il is believed,
prompted the court 10 SUCH action.
Statements from the jury that was be-
ing dismissed intimated that the opin-
ion OF the court was in a measure at
least shared oy them. In at least IL
cases the testimony of Smith and Sim
mons figured largely. OF these, con-
victions were returned in four in
stances.
The following cases are those under
discussion in which the Smith and Sim
mons testimony featured: Charley
Deal, selling guilty Bill Cox, selling.
not guilty. Jack Marshall, selling,
guilty. Gertrude Jackson, selling, not
guilty. Clyde Mcintyre. selling, not
guilty. Leonard Hawkins, selling,
guilty. jim Shaw, selling, guilty. Mrs.
Mcintyre, selling, not guilty. Bige
Taylor, selling, not guilty. George
Wray, selling, not guilty. Jake High
tower, selling, not guilty. Mrs. Foster,
selling, continued j. c. Hunter, sell
ing, dismissed.
The court called the attention of the
jury to the fact that in his charges to
them he had advised them to consider
the testimony of Smith and Simmons
,..s+L ssaou+;r,,, md oiroup,cpoofio,, I,e
pecially, the court stated, was this true
in the case of Hightower. "The court
does not think thta the county attor-
ney's office should be in any way cen
sured for the employment of these
men-S Smith and Simmons" said Judge
Williams. 1T is sometimes necessary
to take this procedure. Sometimes,
men in that business are good citizens
and the fact that they received remun-
Grafton for their services as detec-
| tiyes, or spotters, should not be held
against them. 1t will be remembered
that in the latter cases in which these
men appeared as witnesses, the jury
was disposed to return verdicts of not
guilty.
The offices of the county judge and
the county attorney are frequently
open to criticism. There are many
things in these offices that the citizen
ship does not understand. The move
politically, is probably dangeroul
proposition. 1t may be barrier to m,
holding office here again. don
think shall ever want to hold offic'
here again 1t is my opinion that tn
court should arrive at conclusion an
stick to it.
"The court is at this time consider
ing seriously the fact OF whether Q
not it should set aside the verdicts !
+ these cases, which verdicts were arri'
\ ed at on the testimony Of these spo
r ters.'
Judge Williams then called the Q
(Continued on rage TW0.l