The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-03-31
FAIR MINDED
DETROIT JUR|sT
lmpaHIaIity Shown a CoIored
Man In 4 Murder Case.
STRIKING CHARGE TO JURY

7
Why the Race Should Support Judge
Edward J. Jsffriss. VINO Prssidsd at
the Trial Of Levi Pruitt, Accused Of
Numbering . White Man-Attornsy
Warrsn's PIueky Fight.
In the midst Of great unrest among
the colored people in most all sections
Of the country for various reasons 1t Is
encouraging to note that in many of
the courts Of justice fair decisions are
being rendered in cases where the life
or liberty of colored persons are In
vOlved. Perhaps the most recent in
stance Of such fairness on the part Of
the court was shown by Presiding
Judge Edward J. leffries at Detroit In
his charge to the jury In the case
Of the people against Levi Pruitt. COL
ored man who was on trial. accused of
the murder Of Charles Nie,ands. a
white man. "
Francis H. Warren, the well known
attorney for the Detroit branch Of the
National Association For the Advance
ment Of Colored People. was the attor-
ney for the defense in this case. in
which he displayed wonderful
knowledge Of criminal Jurisprudence.
When his client was convicted on the
charge Of manslaughter In May, 1915,
Attorney Warren Immediately moved
for q new trial, which was granted by
the trial court after many delays. At
torney Warren exerted the full force
OF his legal powers In behalf Of his
client and won out in one Of the hard.
est fought criminal cases tried in De-
troit for many years.
The Detroit Free Press of March 3
makes the following comment concern
ing the case: 49,. "-..
THE prosecuting attorney has fought
since March %. 1916. to convict Pruitt
on the charge of murder Of the de.
ceased Charles Nielands. Pruitt was
convicted Of manslaughter in May,
1915. His attorney. Francis Fl. War
rem. Immediately moved for a new
trial, which, after many delays, caused
BY the prosecutor. was granted by the
trial court. ..t
when Nielands and another assault
ed Pruftt and his companion he was
armed with a pocket billy and. hav-
ing no license to carry 1t, he was him.
self guilty Of felony under the Michi-
gan law when he attacked Pruitt, as
well as being the aggressor in the
fight. II was with this billy that Me
lands was beating Pruitt with when
the fatal shot was fred from a pistol
the latter's companion had obtained
from their home during the fight. Be-
sides being armed. Nielands was a six
footer and weighed 250 pounds, and
the man with him was nearly as large.
while Pruitt and his companion were
I40 pound men.
Judge Edward J. Jeffries measured
fully up to his high reputation for fair
ness In this case and charged the Jury
that the law IL color blind and that
they should decide the case In the light
Of all the facts and circumstances sur
rounding the killing Of Nielands, and
II did. II was the hardest fought Grim.
inal case In which Attorney Warren
ever engaged in his long experience at
the bar
Judge Jehfries' record for fairness
and exactness in the Interpretation Of
the law according to the facts In any
Ease that comes before him Is one Of
che most impartial to be found In
court Of justice anywhere. He IL IN
deed q man Of the people. whose sole
ambition Is to serve humanity by pro
tecting the rights Of citizens against
intrusion and oppression from what
ever sources these handicaps may
arise. His whole attitude In matters,
affecting the well being OF the body
polite dnds expression In defending
the right and denouncing the wrong in