Arizona republican., 1917-12-07
RECORD TIME
 MADE IN NEW
 MURDER TRIAL

ulOII0Gu HULA
 Securing a jury in the morning ses- sion, the prosecution resting an hour after the afternoon recess and the de- fense concluding its statement to the jury and offering several dispositions before the adjournment of court for the day-the case of the State versus H. B. Miner. charged with murder of a man known as John Williams, made a record for speed yesterday.
 It took a comparatively short time to procure jury, although there were five challenges, W. H. Kincaid and E. H. Austin declaring that it would take preponderance of evidence for a man accused of mufder to be found innocent and c. B. Laird, R. L. Morgan and Edgar LeBaron stating that they had fixed opinions. The twelve men selected were John L. Dolittle, George F. Millet, Charles Spain, T. T. Powers, Ray Mathews, G. w. Pike, w. L. Sel- man, Alvin Mann, Joe B. Maier, s. C. Cheatham, E. D. Solomon and L. W. Vance.
 Miner will be called to the stand this morning and it is quite probable that the case will go to the jury this dlleTnOOn, at lIe latest lOInOITOW HUH, according to tlfe attorneys.
 Miner will testify that he shot 'Wil- Hams" in self defense. It is alleged that for two years preceding the shooting at the Daggs ranch, Williams had been cross and surly and that he had picked a quarrel with the de- fendant Miner it is claimed sought to avert quarrel with the man whom he claims has a penitentiary past.
 T am not going to quarrel with you you have too bad a record" Miner is charged with saying.
 I'll see that you do not tell anyone else the man commonly called Will Hams is alleged to have replied as he threatened Miner with a knife. That he was forced to fire in order to pro- tect himself from a knife in Williams 1 hand is what the evidence will de- velop, according to George Purdy Bullard for the defense.
 O. F. Turner, the foreman of the ranch where both men were employed on August r, the fatal day, was the first witness called by the state. Mir. Turner testified. that, hearing a shot, he rushed to the scene where he found ''Williams' half reclining and Miner standing short distance away. He said at first he did not see Miner and going directly to Williams" asked him who fired the shot. That cow ardly cur" replied the injured man. Turner stated that he then turned to- ward Miner who said that Billy was after him with a knife.
 T don't believe it. was Turner's i reply, according to his own testimony and he added that he had told Miner he would like to slap his head off, or words to that effect.
 Under cross examination, it de- veloped that there were several knives | in the tool house, although Turner alleged that Williams had never possessed a knife. He had occasion ally borrowed his pocket knife from him. Ie said.
 Turner what did, you do with the white handled knife you took out ot Williams hand?" asked MT. Bullard.
 Turner held that he had not found any knife on Williams" He was closely questioned relative to the Bar low knife which he claimed he found in the tool house, and stated that ht thought he knew the man who took il
 but that he had gone away.
 Despite the fact that you knew
 what an important piece of evidence
 it was in this case, you took no better
 care of it than that?" said MT. Bul.
 lard.
 Dr. Andrew Brown, who attended williams" testified as to the natur,
 of the wound inflicted by the g
 caliber automatic. Mrs. Turner testi
 fled as to hearing the shot and havins
 notified the neighbors. E. F. Booth
 the arresting officer, stated that whe1
 he arrived at the ranch, Miner wa
 sitting on the porch and handing hin
 the weapon said, T guess you wan
 the gun" He will be called by tn,
 defense today.
 I w. C. Clark who was called by tn
 state, said that when he reached tn
 Turner place Miner was in the bunk
 house and he heard him telephon
 friends that he had gotten in troubl
 and had been compelled to kill "Wil
 liams."
 In his statement to the jury MI
 Bullard said that Miner and William
 had worked together in friendly wa, until two days before the killing. A
 that time Miner had noticed a cut ol Williams " finger, and inquiring int the cause had been told by Williams
 that he had been in fight and kille , man and had served time. Tn next couple of days there was a de cided change in the manner of "Wil
 HALLS, WHO soon began lWlttln
 Miner about his work.
 On the night of the killing, Mine , had gone out to the bunk house t , shave and as he passed Williams 7 he brushed him with the towel. Wi
 liams' took offense and attempted { f quarrel. It was then that Miner sai, T am not going to quarrel with vol 9 you have too had a record" said M . Bullard.
 . Williams" had a white handle
 Barlow knife with which he threat ened Miner. The latter ran and in tn Q chase that followed, passed his co n and drawing his gun from under tt I pillow. used it to protect himself. . After this statement to the jury, M . Bullard read dispositions from u Q mayor, county judge, sheriff and lead ing business men of Goldwaite, Texa n testifying as to the good character ( f the defendant who formerly made h s home in that place.
 , As yet, the identity of Williams
 has not been solved. On his left arl Q the name of J. W. Radcliffee wa n tattooed and hidden by adhesiV 7. plaster It was not until his deat V that the lettering was discovered.