Evening journal., 1917-01-04
COULDN'T SHIFT
BLAME FOR. THEFT.
Harris Gets 10 LasheS and
Six Months Imprison-
ment for 0ffense
DEAF MAN ADDS
HUMOR TO COURT

Attempts on the part OF Walter
Harris, colored, TO shift a charge of
the larceny OF a sweater from the
store OF John NJ. Davis to another
oolored man who was with" him one
day last fall when the two made some
purchases at the Davis store proved
futile in the Court Of General Sessions
this morning.
The jurors refused to believe Har-
rls' story of mistaken identity or
that the paper containing the sweater
which Davis swore he saw the Negro
throw away was thrust into Harris
hands by his compan. on, whom Har-
ris knew only as "a man who does
waitin' over at Carney's Point"
James Salisbury appeared for Harris.
Harris sentence was six months in
the workhOuse. ten lashes, restitution
to Mrs. Davis Of So, and costs in the
case.
Incidents brought out in the trial
Of James E. Murray, colored, charged
with breaking into the house OF Ma
thaniel S. Booker, B and Locust
streets, and wrestling a gun out of
Bookers hands, brought forth many
a smile. The case will go 10 the
jury this afternoon.
Booker was deaf, and Attorney
General Reinhardt had to raise his
voice 10 a high pitch TO make him
hear. The witness was emphatic in
manner, however, and told of Muir
rays Dustin in the door" OF his
house one night, and said that when
he bof fal, 20
protect himself the Negro tore it
from his grasp.
Mrs Booker, the second witness,
was even deafer than her husband.
William S. Smith, a decrepit col
ored man, the next witness stumbled
into the witness box. but made such
energetic use of his hands and arms
in giving his testimony as 10 belle
his apparent age, and brought laugh
from nearly every one when he told
how he flew around" when he heard
the gun 60 off.
Daisy Cherry testified that Murray
threatened TO "go In and kill them old
people" brandishing a club at the
time.
Murray had no lawyer but took the
opportunity offered him by Judge
Heisel to ask questions OF the Wit
nesses. He was making slow progress
when J, Frank Ball leaned forward
and whispered some advice, where
upon Murray's questions assumed a
legal-like directness. Prompted by
Mr. Ball, Murray did better
His own witnesses could testify to
very little concerning the actual hap
penings on the night in question.
Elmer Palmer pleaded guilty 10 the
larceny OF diamond ring. valued at
$50. and was sentenced to make resti-
tuition OF $50. to serve three months
in the workhouse and to pay the costs.
William r. Davis pleaded guilty 10
two charges OF larceny. On one in
dictmont he was paroled on his own
recogn!zance OF 5000, and on the sec
Ond charge was sentenced to three
months in the county workhouse
The following indictments were
handed in:
Harry Farrier, charging wife beat
ing; Brooks Pusey, charging driving
away an automobile without the own
er's consent; Charles Athey, charged
with assault and battery; Henry
Tloyd, charged With assault and bat
terry and with intent to commit mur-
der; James Goslee. John Wilson and
William c. Smith, charged with high
way robbery; William Pope, charged
with pointing a pistol; Mary Williams,
Ncah Empson anG Charles Rouse
charged with larceny; William II.
Lloyd, charged with carrying a con-
cealed and deadly weapon, and
Charles Ricketts,, charged with break
ing ard entering with intent to COM
NIT larceny.
Isaac Groomes pleaded not guilty to
ne larceny Of wearing apparel and
Toward Crisdin entered a Ike plea to
toe charge OF conducting a gaming
table. They were indicted yesterday
afternoon and will be tried this after
noon.