Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-24
SECOND SUICIDE CROWS
OUT OF LAWLER MURDER
Sheriff of Madison County Shoots
and kills Himself at
County Jail.
ASSERTS INNOCENCE IN NOTE
Many People Surprised That Official
Should Have Thought Himself Sus-
Worry Over Criticism Be-
lieved to Have Led to Act
ASSERTS INNOCENCE IN NOTE

HUNTSVILLE. ALA. June %
Sheriff Robert Phillips. of Madison
County. shot and killed himself at the
county jail here late to-day. 'he second
suicide growing out of the recent
murder Of Probate Judge Iawler The
sheriff left note saying he had been
suspected of murder. asserting his
innocence and declaring ne had been
fooled" and could not stand the
strain
Sheriff Phillips had been known as
a political friend TO n. D. Overton for
whom warrant has been issued in
connection with the La wler murder.
and il was said by the sheriff's friends
tonight that worry over criticism be-
cause he had not arrested Overton had
caused the suicide. That the sheriff
should have thought himself suspected
Of the Lawler murder. however was
as great surprise to many as that
caused he~e on Wednesday. when
shelby :. Peasants. local attorney,
VAS found shot 10 death in his own
Office. leaving note saying he killed
himself because he was suspected of
numbering Judge Lawler. Acting So
!icitor Tate In charge OF special
grand Jury investigation. declared no
suspicion had been directed toward
Peasants.
Sheriff Phillips recently issued a
statement replying TO criticism be-
cause overton had not been arrested,
and saying he was doing all in his
power TO apprchend him. Later. when
a $1,000 reward was offered for Over
ton. The sheriff asserted neither he nor
his deputies would share in IL II they
arrested Ovcrton. which he reiterated
they were making every effort TO do.
APPEARS TO NE UNDER
HIGH NERVOUS STRAIN
The sheriff to-day appeared to be
under high nervous strain. He went
into cell in the rear of the Jail late
to-day. and a few minutes later Walter
Craft. jailer. and a deputy sheriff hur-
ried hack on hearing a shot. They
found Phillips shot through the head.
they said, with a note and pistol
lying nearby.
The note, which was addressed 10
the dead mans wife, said he and his
son. Marcus, went TO serve summons
last week in the vicinity Of the place
where Judge LAWYERS body was found,
and that this had caused him to be
suspected of the murder.
1T Is more than | can stand to live
under" the note continued THE
man thought gentleman has fooled
me. don't want the name on my
children. can't stand to be accused
| of such crime.
| The note did not name the man who
fooled" the sheriff
The note then referred TO business
matters and to the rearing of the
young children. and added: II can't
afford to live here and he looked upon
as a murderer when God knows l am
as innocent as the angels in heaven"
The note was unsigned. but accord
ing to Coroner Poole and others who
knew the sheriff. was in his own hand
writing. 1t was accepted by the cor
oner as having been written by the
sheriff, who was ffty-two years old
and who had been in Office year and
a half.
| Investigation Of the Lawler murder
continued to-day. Charles NJ Males.
also arrested In connection with the
case. being brought here again from
Birmingham to testify. He was start
ed back to Birmingham after a brief
appearance before the grand jury.