The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-11-25
cRoss.ExAMINATIoN SEVERE

/ Two hours.
CROSS EXAMINATION SEVERE
| Upon the ruthless cross-examination OF
| Solicitor Thompson, Overton stated that
| he avoided local doctors; that they were
all his friends, and had been treating
| him for a serious ailment for years; al
| though he did not know whether he left
Judge Lawler dead or alive, he passed
several homes on the Whitesburg pike
and did not summon aid but rather
sought to conceal himself always. He
admitted he told Brooks tc go to the
bridge and keep him posted on what he
saw. He also stated that he remained in
! concealment most of wednesday night,
all day Thursday and night, and in tho
rain under some bushes and walked many
miles, and ate and drank nothing. He
stated he gave Nails the key to his desk
in which there were several guns.
Wasn't that large ~evolver in your
head?" suavely asked solicitor Thomp-,
son.
mo, sir" replied overton, mo one
knocked Judge Lawler on the head"
Where did you go after the MUIR
der?" again asked Mr.. Thompson in
an easy voice.
After the murder I started back for
town" replied Overflow
Everyone in the courtroom SEEM
ingly caught the purport of the above
question and answer, but Solicitor
Thompson quickly changed the ques-
lions to another phase of the killing.
He explained tonight he merely sought
to get Overton's statement in the rec
ord.
Overton further stated that he knew
Judge Lawler was dead when he was
in the office of Senator Spragins on
Saturday morning and that he pur-
poeely evaded telling all of the truth
STORY OF ESCAPE
when I left the office of Senator
Spra gins I met A. D. Kirby continued
Overton under cross-examination. Tile
asked about my face and 1 told him
about an automobile accident with Nc
Williams 1 purposely gave him an
evasive answer"
escape and of how he remained in
the woods, sleeping out of doors for
several days in the rain, despite his
alleged serious wounds, and that he
did not leave the vicinity of Hunts
vile until nearly two months later,
when he went to Louisiana. His broth
err, brother-in- law and son were main
ly instrumental in keeping him hid.
From the details brought out by So
licitor Thompson, Overton bore hard
ships which even the healthiest man
would have found unbearable Despite
the hue and cry for him. Overton
stated that he came home shortly aft
er the finding of the body and re-
NAMED onward of a week. while you
were lodging here and there you
knew Nails and Brooks were innocent
anu yet you never said word?" ques-
toned Solicitor Thompson.
'I object" said Judge Allen, and he
was sustained
VISITED FIVE STATES
In his travels Overton went through
five states before he told of his cap
ture near Smithville. Again Solicitor
Thompson reverted to the actual kill
ing of Judge Lawler.
Wasn't 1t a fact that it was you
who attempted to persuade Judge Law
Ter to influence the grand Jury not
to indict you?" questioned Mr.. Thomp
son.
NO, did not" replied Overton
calmly
she sat in the rear of the states counsel.
What became of Judge LAWYERS hat?'
said Mr.. Thompson.
II do not know replied the witness
HE had a hat, felt hat. l think. We
were perfectly friendly to the time he
started cutting me-
eff you met Judge Lawler in the vault
of the courthouse on Wednesday after
noon where every lHiiis Wds SeeAuueu anu
private, why the necessity of a night
meeting?" said Mr.. Thompson.
He wanted Senator Spragins to be
present" replied Overton.
'Tn other words you both wanted Sena-
tor Spragins to be a party to a plan to
evade the law by multiplying the effort of
the grand jury?" questioned Mr.. Thomp
SON
II did not say that" replied the wit
ness.
Overton admitted he owned seven pis-
tolls and a shotgun. and the cross-exami-
nation ended.
In the redirect examination he stated
the pistols were an accumulation OF mis-
police activity, as we'll the brass
knuckles. He also stated there was $1,000