The Robesonian., 1918-02-04
w. D. Dixon on Trial For Killing
Alfred Thomas.
STATE ASKS VERDICT
FIRST DEGREE MURDER
Defendant Pleads Self-Defense
and Apparentlya Strong Case is
Being Made Out-Case Has
Stirred Intense Interest and
Many Are Attending Trial.
LAWYERS WILL BEGIN
SPEAKING TOMORROW


SPEAKING TOMORROW
AS The Robesonian goes to press
the trial of w. D. Dixon, charged with
killing Alfred Thomas, Indian, at
Pembroke November 10, last, is still
in progress with only few more wit
nesses to testify. 1t is expected that
the attorneys will begin arguing the
case tomorrow morning, and certain
Iv by tomorrow afternoon. Judge
Geo. w. Connor of Wilson Is presld-
ing. n,, .e.ox
noon at 2:3O when the selection OF
the jury was begun. From spec1ai
venire of 100 men the selection OF the
Jury was completed by 5 p. M, the
following composing the jury: Irwin
Barfield, C. E. Inman, D. A. Pittman1,
D. Marley, w. S. Small, P. S. Steed,
A. A. Wright, G. M. Baggett, F. N.
Fisher. N. J. Mcmillan, A. H. Parker.
Hector Mcmillan. Examination of
witnesses was begun Friday morning.
Dixon is being tried for first degree
murder. He is represented by Messrs.
Mclean, Varser & Mclean and Britt
&Britt, Mr.. H. E. Stacy and Mr.. L. A.:
McNeill, Jr., all of Lumberton, end
Mr.. G. B. Patterson of Maxton:. So
licitor S. B. Mclean is being assisted
in the prosecution byM essrs. Mcln,
Johnson & johnson of Lumbertor
and Mr.. H. S. Kirkpatrick of Rae
ford
The families of both Thomas and
the defendant are in attendance at
the trial. There is much interest II
the case and the court room has beer
crowded since the trial began.
Seventy character witnesses were
! asan1;ue3 this morning ard practical
ly all of them testified that the fepu
tation of Thomas as dangerous ant
violent was bad. These witnesses
were from various sections, OF tn
county and the majority OF them tes
titled that the reputation OF the de
fendant was good.
Mrs. w. D. Dixon was placed on tn
stand this morning and her testimon
was in corroboration of that OF ne
husband.
A. S. Locklear First Witness.
The first witness called for tE
State was A. S. Locklear, Indian. II
testified as follows:
Lives at Pembroke, is a farmer ar
licensed minister. Knows the deten'
ant. Dixon, and knew Alfred Tnona
Thomas was killed about o'cloc
Was standing in the road opposl
Thomas store when the shooting to<
place. Was about 5 steps from Inof
as when he was shot. Saw the tV
men Dixon and Thoma5) cone OUT
Thomas store walking side by SIC
Suddenly they stopped and faced ea
other and then the shooting took plat
When asked who did the shooting
said it was Dixon, but that ne shot
fast that he could not tell just NJ
MANY shots were fired, but judged
or 5. Saw Dixon when ne shot Iho
as, who was facing him at tf
time. Thomas and Dixon were cle
together and saw Dixon raise his rig
hand and shoot. Thomas tnen +
back and caught on his hands and
claimed, "Dixon has killed me. -,
has shot me to pieces Thomas u
started to the store and tell In at
door. Themes was in his shirt slee'
and | went to the place where ne '
shot and saw nothing. As the
men were walking out OF the store
said the only thing he heard was D
on humble something, but did not
derstand what he said. After
shooting Dixon walked up the pu'
road towards MaXton. Some one q
ed "Where is Dixon?" and Dixon
swered while near the railroad. i!
/ am, do you want to see me"
witness testified that the gas lg
in the Thomas store made 1t
in front of the building where he
standing at the time of the shoot
The witness also stated That he,
Dixon the afternoon before the sn
ing.
On cross examination Locklear
his distances slightly mixed. W
asked why he went to look for a
tol on the ground where Thomas
shot if he could see that Thomas
no pistol, the witness said that ne
heard Dixon was shot and stated
ther that he thought somebody,
might have placed one there, II
blind. The witness said ne ma
feeling against Dixon and when q
if he cid not remark that II u
was not convicted he had better. n
pass Pembroke unless he passed
airship, he answered no. He als'
MED having any interest IN the
ter or taking much interest IN
case.
Testimony of Ernest Bell.
The next witness examined
Ernest Bell, Indian, who said tn
was clerking in Thomas store
was in the store when Thomas
shot. He said that Thomas w
in the store the day before ne
killed, that Thomas was Wels
some fish when Dixon entere'