The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-12-01
OvERTON ADMITS
HE KILLED LAWLER
Says the Judge Attacked Him First
and Severely Cut Him, and That
He Fired in Self-Defense.

Judge William T. Lawler. whose
death was followed by the suicides of
Huntsville attorney and sheriff of
Madison county, who believed they
were suspected in connection with his
death, was killed the night of June ID,
by David d. Overton, his political
rival, Overton testified here today in
his trial on charge of having muir
dered the purist. The killing which
occurred on the Whiteburg bridge.
was in self-defense, Overton declared.
He said he was attacked by Lawler
with knife when he refused to join
Lawler in a plan to delay report of
the Madison county grand jury which
was then in session.
Overton declared he drove Lawler
to the Whitesburg bridge in his buggy
at the latter's suggestion to discuss
political differences which they hoped
to settle. He denied he had anything
|, TO do with the disposition of LAWYERS
body or with the alleged painting out
of blood spits on the bridge.
He informed Sheriff Robert Phillips
of the tragedy the night it occurred,
he said, and when he saw Phillips the
next day, the sheriff told him the
| body chad not been brought to town
and that no one would find it," Sher-
iff Phillips killed himself the week af-
ter the discovery of LAWYERS body,
leaving word he could not bear the
suspicion he believed was directed
against him. Three days before. Shell
bv Peasants. a Huntsville attorney,
committed suicide.
Saws OvertOn Was Wounded.
DR.. G.. V. Williams. of Chattanooga,
who treated Overton's wounds in that
city last June. was the last witness
| for the defense which rested it's case
late today. He described what he said
was a serious cut on the former clerks
neck near the jugular vein.
1t is expected the State will conduct
an examination in rebuttal tomorrow,
and that Overton's fate will be in the
hands Of the jury before night
Overton's testimony touched upon
what he said were the friendly rela-
tions beween Lhwler and himself
when they were officials together in
the Madison county court house, and
of factional feeling which he said
Lawler developed when Overton op-
posed him in the spring for the pro-
bate judgeship.
Overton testified that while the
campaign was in progress he made
efforts to meet Judge Lawler to COM
pose certain political differences be-
tween them but that Judge Lawler
refused to consent.
Met by Appointment.
"After the election, on the after
noon of June ID, I saw Lawler at the
court house." Overton testified. "He
said he wanted to see me. We went
to the basement and talked. Lawle1
told me the grand jury which was in
session was trying hard to destroy
both of us, and wanted him to give
information to destroy me. He said
he declined and thought it was time
we were getting together. told him
I would be glad to meet him anv time
with State Senator Robert f. Sprag-
gins present. He replied that he would
meet me in Spraggins' office at eight
Io'clock.
"That night 7 drove to the court
house shortly before eight, and found
Lawler. He Informed me Spraggins
could not be present. We got into my
buggy. Lawler suggested that we
drive down the Whitesburg pike. AS
we drove we discussed politics. Law.
Ter said he had found out the work.
ings of the grand jury, and then in.
sisted that if we cooperated we coulC
render the work Of Special Solicitor
Tate and his grand jury worthless.
Wanted Grand Jury Fixed.
"At the Whitesburg bridge we got
out of the buggy and discussed the
political situation more in detail
Overton continued. "Lawler suggested
that we would wait until the towr
was quiet and see members of the
grand jury and get them to delay
their report until we could effect 6
reconsideration.
"Lawler mentioned the names OF
certain jurors might see told hin
| would not think of waking them uI
at that time of night to ask them tt
reconsider their work as grand Jurors
"Lawler showed feeling for the first
time, and declared he would hold me
responsible if the grand jury injured
him. / suggested we return to town
At this moment Lawler grabbed me
and beggan to cut me. 1t was a com.
plete surprise to me. At the time we
were on the Whitesburg bridge.
II tried to retreat, and tripped up
Lawler rushed at me and when he
would get me down would cut me. |
had revolver and realizing my pre-
dicament began to use it as a club
striking Lawler on the head several
times"
AS Overton described what he said
occurred ON the bridge all eyes in the
crowded court room were fixed upon
| him Mrc I la... "a IL.