Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1918-08-29
CULLEN SAYSGROCRETT
FIRED N SELF-DEFENSE
George Crockett Would Have Been
Killed by Baker Had Safety
Catch Peen Adjusted" Claimed
Jury AT LAST CHOSEN
Mrs. W. II. Baker. Widow Of the Late
Hall Baker. Is the First Witness
Called to the Stand.
Special to the Ledger.

Special to the Ledger.
MARSHALL, MO, Aug. 2s.-The
jury has been chosen to hear the testi-
mony in the case of George Crockett
charged with the murder Of W. H. Ba-
ker. 1t is composed Of prominent res
idents of Saline county.
Following the statement Of the Pros
ecuting Attorney, P. H. Cullen repre-
senting the defendant, stated that the
testimony will show that in the early
part Of the controversy between w.
Hall Baker and Mr.. Crockett, DR.. w.
H. Black of NJ. R. C. and H. G ALLEN
Of Marshall went to Slater to talk Mr..
Baker out Of his unreasonable stand.
Baker said, No one can take the
child unless over my dead bcdy.'"
The attorney further said in his
opening statement that George Crock
EFT, not knowing where he was going
or where he might find Lura Marie
his daughter, put gun, he used when
he travelled for an insurance company
in his pocket. He inquired about his
daughter and couldn't find her, so de.
cided Mr.. Baker had gotten her so hi
got Harold Dice and started to Slater
It was further stated that Mr.
Baker had put 3S Smith and Wessor
revolver in his pocket, which he is SAT-
to have bought at the height Of tn,
controversy over the child. When Mr
1 Crockett came up Mr.. Baker didn'
speak. Crockett got out perfectl
H peacefully and walked up to his chile
He didn't know that in 1916 Baker ha
bought revolver. The grandfathe
H held the little girls hand. She Shove
some signs of crying. Mr.. Crocket
H said: "What is the matter, Lura Ms
II rie?"
u Baker said: "You don't let her sta
: long enough or let her come ofte
enough" Some words passed ar
Crockett said: eve had better G
Lura Marie" Baker jerked the chi
n back, threw his hand to his revolv'
i and pointed it at Crockett with Il
u words, "What do you want" Th'
George Crockett drew his gun al
fired quickly as possible to save /
'e own life.
"Mr. Baker would have killed Geor
Crockett but he had forgotten to a
- Just his safety catch. !" the lawyer sal
r "That was all that saved Crocke
When he was trying to get out t
eu gun all the pent up hate Of yea
showed in his (Baker's) face. U
der these circumstances Crock
fired. After Baker had been shot or
he realized what was the matter W
his gun and lunged forward, trying
~ push off the safety. The second 81
H. fired by Crockett hit the shoulder a
NE veered. Both shots were fired to
ier face.
is "We1l prove" said Mr.. Gull
"that the pistol was bought from
az Shapeleigh Hardware Co. The t
Ups timony by Harold Dice will show Il
Baker had a pistol trained on Gro
'ns cit when he (Crockett) shot. Ii
TO- Marie, if they produce her, will t
tify her grandfather had gun.
"Lura Marie has been kept by
grandmother and will undoubtedly
poisoned by the latter against
Scr father. When you hear this testim'
all we ask is that you listen to it fl
ly," the lawyer said in closing
- opening statement to the jury.
lied Mrs. Baker on Stand.
ppi Mrs. w. II. Baker, widow Of
'as- late Hall Baker, was the first '
and ness called.