The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-09-18
SOLICITOR ORDERS
INQUEST REOPENED
THINKS MRS. KING WAS
VICTIM OF FOUL PLAY.
Asks Coroner to Recall His Jury
Sept. "a and Conduct More
Thorough Investigation.

InOrOugn investigation.
Salisbury, N. c., Sept. 14.-Solic-
itor Hayden Clements Of the 18th
judicial district court of North Caro-
lima, in statement issued here to-
day, announced he would ask the
coroner of Cabarrus county to re-
open the inquest on September "a
over the death of Mrs. Maude A.
King, who was mysteriously killed
near Concord, N. c., August 20.
The jury which investigated the
case returned a verdict that Mrs.
King had been killed by the acct
dental discharge Of a pistol
Solicitor Clements said today
there have been conflicting state
ments and important evidence un-
covered since the coroner's Jury in
vestigated the case. which gives me
reason to believe that Mrs. King
met with foul play and that her
death was neither suicide nor ac-
'cident."
Did Not View Premises.
Solicitor Clements statement fol-
lows:
Il have fully determined to reop-
en- the inquest over the death of
Mrs. Maude A. King. When the for
mer investigation was held it was
merely matter OF form. under
stand that the coroner was notified
OF the death in the morning about
1880 or 8 o'clock and held the in
quest about 8 o'clock. This did not
give him an opportunity to make a
fnu -inysstigation. He had all the
members OF the automobile party
present and they were all examined
but the premises were not viewed
neither was there any testimony
tending to show that the deceased
had no powder burns on her head.
THE coroner and jury did their
full duty with the evidence before
them at that time. But since then
there have been different and con-
hicting statements and a mass of
other materials, and important evil
dence has been uncovered which
gives me reason to believe that Mrs.
King met with foul play and her
death was neither a suicide nor an
accident.
II know that the coroner and the
jury are anxious to do their duty
and to make careful investigation
OF all the evidence in the case and I
think it but fair to them that the
matter be again reopened by them
so that they can have an opportunity
to correct their former verdict. IL in
their opinion the evidence warrants
it.
Hearing Septmeber ~.
with this end in view | will ask
the coroner of Carbarrus county to
reopen the case and to set the hear
ing for Monday morning, Septem-
ber "a, 1917, in the court house in
Concord, n. G. This will give an
opportunity to secure certain docu-
mentary evidence which will be in
troduced at the inquest.
II am much gratifed with the ac
tion taken by District Attorney
Swami of New York, and feel salts
ned that his investigation will ma
terially aid me to get full disclos-
ure of all the facts. He has assured
me OF his cooperation and has pIac-
ed all the facilities Of his office at
my service"
Judge y. b. Cline Of the superior
court Issued an order today direct
ing CASTOR B. Means to turn over all
letters, papers. bank books, certified
checks and accounts of Mrs. King
together with the purported will of
her husband. the late James C. King
for the purpose of placing them with
the clerk of the superior court of
Rowan county for safe keeping.
Means. after a conference with his
attorneys. refused to turn over the
papers, basing his refusal on the
ground that to do so might tend TO
him.