The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1917-03-21
A MISTItIAL RESULTED
IN JONES HOMICIDE CASE
Jury Remained Out Until After Ten
O'clock Friday Night,

and night, the jury sitting in the case
| OF Jno. M. Jones, charged with the
murder of Ben Stephens at Cross Hill
In January, reported to the presiding
Judge that it was hopelessly disagreed
and a mistrial was ordered The fol-
lowing morning Jones gave hond for
his re-appearance at the next term OF
court and was released from custody
The trial was begun Thursday morn
Ing and attracted large attendance.
He was defended by II. II. Blease, of
Newberry, and Simpson, Cooper &
Babb, of this city. Solicitor Black
well was assisted by Featherstone &
knight of this city. The trial con-
sumed the greater part Of two days.
The state relied mainly upon the
testimony of II. E. Hit and J. w. Ropp
who were eye witnesses, with others,
to the tragedy. Mr.. EIitt, who was
borne out by Mr.. Ropp, testified that
Jones came into J. e. Spearman's
store, where the killing took place,
and ordered a bottle of ale. He was
closely followed by Stephens, who
commenced cursing Jones and asked
him If he were armed. Jones replied
that he was not. Stephens said that he
Wouldn't take advantage Of him then,
but that he had better get armed for
there was going TO be q settlement
Mr.. Hit testified that he and Mr.. Ropp
had about gotten Stephens "quictcd
down when Jones shot. The deccas-
cd fell Imply to the floor and asked
'hcm to help him get up to yeturn the
fire. With considerable difficulty the
deceased succeeded in getting his pis-
tol out of his right hip pocket under
meath his coat and fired one time at
Jones, who was retreating out the
back way. Mr.. Hipp and Mr.. Ropp
both testified that Mr.. Stephens had
"quictcd down" when the shooting be-
gan and that Mr.. stephens right hand
was resting on the counter when Jones
opened fire.
Tcstifying in defense Jones said that
he had received threats on his life
from Stephens and that he had gone
into Spcarman's store to avoid diff
Guilty. He was followed by Stephens,
who entered the store with his hand
resting on his pistol in his coat
pocket He invited stephens to join
him in drink Of ale and Stephens in
stead cursed him and asked "iiavc you
got it?" He asked Stephens what he
meant by the question and Stephens
continued to curse him and threaten
his life. He denied that he told
Stephens that he was unarmed, but
said that he thought his life in peril
and shot to defend himself He said
that the whole affair happened in
about minutes time and that he shot
as quickly as he could get his gun out
before Stephens had the opportunity
to draw his. J. G. Goats testified that
stephens was still cursing Jones and
had his hand on his pistol when
Jones fired. Conflicting testimony
was introduced as 10 the reputation Of
the deceased for law and order. The
dcfcnsc introduced several witnesses
who testified that stephens had made
threats AGAINST Jones life on account
OF a difficulty which had occurred be-
tween Jones and stephens son few
weeks before.
II is understood that the jury stood
II tc for acquital early after be-
ginning its deliberations and that IL
remained unchanged to tho last.
Otter cases disposed OF during The
latter part Of the week were as fol-
lows:
James Moran, convicted Of house
breaking and larceny was given two
year sentence and fine Of $100
Poscy Bobo, found not guilty Of vio-
latlo OF the prohibition law;
Will Johnson, assault and battery
with intent to kill, mistrial;
A plea Of guilty was accepted from
w. S. Bolt for disposng Of property
under mortgage though without frad-
ulent intent. He was given six
months sentence with the alternate Of
a $3.50 fine, which he paid
b. f. Hodge was found guilty Of
violation Of the prohibition law and
given a sentence Of two years with
twenty-five months suspended.
Will Thompson, whose trial for
murder during the early part of tho
week resulted in a mistrial, rcconsid
cred his plea and the state accepted a
plear Of carrying concealed weapons