Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-03-11
NO VERDICT COMES IN
CHAPMAN TRIAL With
CLOSING LAST night

out what he termed the weakness OF
the States case in the vital features of
the evidence. The attorney spoke for
an hour, stressing the testimony in
troduced by the defense to establish
alibis for the various defendants and
calling upon the jury to render a
verdict of acquittal.
Frank Hooper, of Atlanta, made the
closing address to the jury for the
defense, beginning his argument when
court convened at 1:30 p. m. and
speaking for two hours. He ridiculed
the testimony of Mrs. Yeartie Howell,
star witness for the State, who swore
that she saw Dr. Chapman fire the
two shots which ended Walter Wade's
life The attorney called attention to
alleged impossibilities sworn to by
witnesses for the State and declared
that the story of Mrs. Howell was
fabrication while other witnesses for
the State were honestly mistaken. He
made strong appeal for an acquittal.
Judge j. A. Hixon made the closing
argument for the State, the defense al
tering its plan to present three argu-
.stents. L. ]. Blalock at the close OF
Mr.. Hooper's speech, announced that
le would not speak, but that the de-
feadant would place his case with the
jury on the strength of the evidence
presented and the two arguments al
ready delivered.
Judge Hixon made one of the strong
est arguments ever heard in the Sum-
ter county courthouse, speaking for
two hours and forty minutes, and COW
ering completely the evidence present
ed by the state. He reviewed the tes-
timony of Mrs. Yeartie Howell and
dwlt at considerable length on the
credibility of this witness, as well as
that of Andrew Jackson, the aged
night watchman who swore he saw
Mrs. Howell, DIR. Chapman and an-
other man in an automobile on the
night of August II, 1916. He finished
speaking at $50 o'clock.
A host of witnesses late Friday af-
ternoon testified along the lines prev
icusly mapped out by the defense, to
establish alibis for both DR.. c. K.
Chapman and Charles Chapman, Jr., on
the night of August II, 1916.
Little Charlie, as he has been des-
ienated throughout the trial. was plac-
ed on the stand to testify as to his
movements on the fatal night, declar-
ing that Wade came to the Chapman
home to borrow coat on the night o.
the 18th, that he left within few
minutes and did not return. The wit
ness swore that he remained at home
the balance of the night, retiring about
II o'clock. He denied all knowledge
of the murder and stated that the ride
with Mrs. Yeartie Howell, Miss Willie
Bridges and John Etheridge was taken
early in July. and not on the night Oh
the 18th, as testified to by Mrs. Howell
Dr. Chapman's statement occupied
% minutes, and he took up in success
sion the various points brought out by
the state, denying in toto the allega-
tons made by Mrs. Howell as to his
connection with the murder of Walter
Wade.
II am as innocent of this crime as
the angels in Heaven" said DR.. Chap
man.
He declared that Mrs. Howell was
actuated in her story by anger against
him for having forbidden her to asso-
ciate with Charles Chapman, Jr., stat
ing that her testimony was a vile
falsehood."
The defense rested its introduction
of direct testimony after the defendant
had made his statement, but previous
to his appearance. several witnesses
we're brought into support the alibi
claim made for him and his son,
Charles, Jr.
Hilton Bass and Joe Hudson. both OF
Leslie. testified as to the friendly re-
lations existing between Walter Wade
and Walter Johnson.
Lee Street Closed.
]. B. Ansley, city engineer of Amer
icus, swore that on August II, 1916,
Lee street was closed from Lamar to
Taylor streets on account of paving
operations. Mrs. -Yeartie Howell had
previously sworn that on the auto ride
CONTINUED on Last Page.)