The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
CONDUCTOR HILL ELLSH|SSTORYO OF
 SUDDUTH KILLING
Trial Continued Until To- morrow Morning-Many
 Character Witnesses Examined

ton for a night session in the trial or William M. Hill, charged with the murder of A. B. Sudduth, late yester- day afternoon and the case went over until tomorrow morning, the jury be- ing sent to a local hotel in charge of court bailiff.
 Few trials of recent years have at tracted the attention that is shown in this case and throughout the pro- ceedings the courtroom has been crowded with interested spectators. Frequent clashes between opposing counsel have occurred and many ob- jections raised to the introduction of testimony
 Hiu. who is well known railroad conductor, was indicted for the killing of Sudduth, a Southside groceryman. The murder occurred on December 1s last year, and took place in the front of Sudduth's store following a quarrel and fight between the two men.
 The case was called in the criminal court Thursday morning, Judge w. E. Fort presiding. Representing the state were Assistant Solicitor James Davis, Attorney C. P Beddow and Attorney w S. Welch; counsel for the defense, Attorneys John w. Altman and Matt S. Murphy. The defendant entered d Died Ol SSiI-u6 anu HIS SONiiSSt stated they expected to prove that Sudduth was of a turbulent disposi- tion and that Hill was a quiet and peaceful citizen. The state attorneys s declared they would offer evidence to disprove these statements.
 DEPENDANT ON STAND
 Many witnesses as to the character of the principals to the homicide were introduced yesterday, but the interes. centered in the evidence of the de- fendant himself. who. after a consult tation with his attorneys, took the stand in his own behalf.
 MT. Hill went on the stand at 3:50 o'clock and remained there until court adjourned at 5:45 o'clock. He gave his testimony in a quiet, steady voice and maintained calm. unruffled demeanor throughout the examination. He stated that he was on his way to J. E. Dick erson's store. on Spring street, on the day of the killing and that he had some further business in Avondale at the house of friend; that he entered the store of Sudduth to get something to drink and then called Sudduth out side to ask him a question about some coal orders. Some hot words passed and the fight then ensued, ending in the shooting of Sudduth. which he claimed was in self-defenSe.
 Under an hour of gruelling cross questioning by Attorney c. P Beddow, for the prosecution, Hill admitted that the coal orders was not the only req son for his calling Sudduth out MT >Beddow first asked Hill If 1t was not as near to Dickerson's store by going down directly to Spring street and walking down 1t as to go around oy way of Sudduth's store. Hill asserted that 1t was not, and explained that there was a path running through Sudduth's coal yard. back of the store, which he travelled. and which shortened the distance by about two blocks
 Asked then why he stopped at the store. he said the path had been blow ed up since he had last been over it. and that he went by the store % get something to drink. He said that no harsh words passed between him self and Sudduth in the store, and that Mrs. Jester procured the drink for him. Then, he said, he asked Sudduth to come out into the yard, that he wanted to. ask him something. This. he asserted, was a question about some coal orders. but when asked by Mi Beddow wherein he considered 1t an impropriety to speak on such mat ter before a lady, he stated that ne wanted to ask him something about the Masons.
 DOMESTIC RELATIONS
 He explained that short time be- fore his application for membership had been turned down and that he had been told that Sudduth was responsl- ble for it. He said he asked Sudduth if he was Mason, and that Sudduth replied "No.' Then, he said, Suddutn made an assertion about his domestic rela tions, which he resented, saying: ''Whoever said that is telling lie" Then he said, Sudduth cursed him, striking him at the same time: they engaged in a scuffle and both fell to the ground, and Hill said he had to shoot to save his own life. He swore under cross examination that he had no recollection of Mrs. Jester scream ing or seizng his arm, but that he re- membered someone trying to take the gun out of his hand and he thought this was Sudduth.
 During the last hour Attorney Alt man, for the defense, objected to every question put by the prosecution. and clashes between the opposing att torneys were frequent throughout the day. The hearing ended for the day with the motion of Attorney Altman for night session. which was over ruled by Judge Fort