The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1915-10-30

0dS6.
To hear the arguments in the case of
State of Mississippi vs.. Harry Lester,
charged with the murder of Baggage
man Peter Marcy, on an L. C N. train,
on the night of April 23rd, the Hancock
county court house Monday was crowd
ed to overflowing. It was noted that
the number of ladies present was un-
usually large. The audience was we'll
repaid for its present by the
splendid and finished address of At
torney Carl Marshall, assisting the
prosecution, and the closing argument
of District Attorney Ebb j. Ford es-
sentially convincing and splendidly
delivered.
During the arguments Monday Lester
sat at the bar with his wife at his side.
Each time morning and afternoon when
she entered the courtroom she kissed
him. Frequently she would place her
arm over his shoulder affectionately.
His countenance never changed from
its impertuable composure through the
day, as he from time to time seemed to
enjoy the aroma of the cigarette he
smoked.
MARCEY'S MOTHER IN TEARS
A dramatic incident of the day oc-
cured during the argument of the
prosecution when the exhibits had
again been made to the jury. Colonel
Charles Marshall, superintendent for
the L. G N. railroad, came in, accom-
panied by Mrs. Marcy, and Miss
Marcy, of New Orleans, mother and
sister, respectively, of the deceased
baggagemaster. They were attired in
black, and were given seats near tho
jury inside of the the rail, Mrs. Marcy
camein crying, and as Attorney Carl
Marshall progressed with his remarks
and made reference to Marcy, Mrs.
Marcy completely broke down and again
on several occasions, her daughter at
her side consoled her mother through
out the trying ordeal. Mr.. Marshall
called the attention CT the jury to the
presence OF the women and to the tears
of the elder.
Court opened promptly at 9 o'clock,
Judge Neville arrived here from his
home at Gulfport Sunday night in or
der to be here on time Monday morn
ing. The unusually large crowd which
has been following the trial was on hand
and when court reconvened Monday
afternoon the crowd was larger than the
morning crowd.
Attorney Carl Marshall frequently di-
rected his remarks to A. j. Bi lbo
brother Of GoYernor-elect Bilbo, and
called him by his name, Mr.. Bilbo, a
member of the jury.
He called the attention of the jury
to the instructions of the court, namely,
that verdict of guilty as charged
meant death to the defendant, or that
the jury could give the defendant a life
Imprisonment. That if the jury found
Lester guilty, but disagreed on the
punishment, the court. would give the
prisoner life term.
Attorney Dixson, of Dixson and
Snesd, of New Orleans, of the defense,
followed Mr.. Marshall. His argument
was aleng the lines of tearing down the
testimony of the State, and in effort to
show that the time, places and distances
as shown in the evidence were not to
be reconciled. He said if Lester had
committed the crime he would not have
remained in the vicinity of Gentilly,
where the murderer is said to have lett
the train, three hours later when the
New Orleans police patroland squad
of officers came out to make the arrest;
that had he been guilty. he would have
made his escape good or would have
walk ed into town to his room, and would
have retired. Rc closed his remarks at
I1f:40 d. M, when Judge Neville an
nounced a recess until 2 o'clock that
afternoon.
At2 o'clock court reconvened. Mr..
SEeed, representing the defendant, con-
tinued tne1defense, following his part
ner, Mr.. Dixson. He told the jury that
the prisoner was placed at q disadvan-
ltage, beng an entire stranger in Han
lcoek county. He stated the evidence
as adduced by the state was entirely
|circnmstantial, and that the testimony
tof the police OF New Orleans and the
witnesses Tor the L. .& II. Railroad Com
pany did not corroborate. AS to fixing
| the crime On Lester he said no ANA
teur would attempt so bold crime, but
that only professional would have un-
dertaken to have held up train single
handed. Mr.. Sneed spoke for forty-
ave minutes.
District Attorney Ford made the clos
ling argument. He said il had been :
long and tedious trial. about thirty