Americus times-recorder., 1919-11-23
NECRC KILLED
WIFE, ASSERTS
His ATTORNEY
Fight For Life OF Accus-
ed Husband Outlined
By Defense

Not only is Sam Duckworth, held
in the county Jail as a self-confessed
wife-murderer, not guilty, but he has
not admitted guilt, according to a
statement given out for publication
yesterday by his attorney, Dan Chap
pell who stated that he would pre-
sent evidence when Duckworth faced
the jury in Superior court next week
that would not only surprise the
prosecution but would show clearly
that Duckworth did not kill his wife.
Mrs. Duckworth was killed by having
her throat cut with a knife. Her
body was thrown into a well in their
yard on the Green Perry farm near
Huntington a week ago last Wednes-
day, and was fol nd there by Mr.. Per-
ny and others that evening, short
time after the killing.
Mr.. Chappell has been employed to
defend, Duckworth. He declared yes
terday that he at first refused to take
the case, accepting the alleged con-
fession of Duckworth, as published
upon the information of Sheriff Har-
vey and attaches of his Office that
Duckworth had admitted the whole
deed as unquestioned. Later, he
said, he discovered that Duckworth
had not really confessed at all.
Sheriff Harvey last night reiterated
that Duckworth had made an unquai-
flied confession that he killed his wife,
IN 4bo nE IL
ether officers, "He even confronted
Sidney Ware. the negro" said the
sheriff, "and told that he knew he
helped put the body in the well. The |
negro at that time admitted ne stood |
by and saw the murdec, but deuied he
touched the body, saying that Duck
worth's mother helped him put the
body in the we'll"
Says He Didn't Confess.
when l first interviewed my
client he told me, and has since re-
peated, that he did not tell the Off
GERS he killed his wife," said Mr..
Chappell yesterday. 'He said the
sheriff and his assistants came to him
and assured him that they had abso-
Lutte evidence that he killed his wife
and that he would be hanged. They
said l did it, and l told them | had
been drinking and didn't remember
a thing that happened that afternoon
and that if they said l did it and had
the evidence, supposed l did it, but
that if l did l had no recollection of
it, was what Duckworth told me, and !
he swears that that is as far as he
ever went with a confession.
"It was stated that the next day |
after this alleged confession he was
brought before Justice McMath at
the commitment hearing of Liza
Ware, and after being told that he
need not answer and asked who kill
ed Mrs. Duckworth he replied that he
killed her, they said. The facts are
these, as can be proved by numerous
persons who were in the court room
at the time. Justice McMath, after
telling him he need not answer, ask
ed him who was responsible for his
wife's death. 4 am, they say was
his reply Notice that he did not say
he hdleu neT, DuI Sdlu GuSy say
Can't Write Name.
"Duckworth assures me that he has
or in writing. I know he has signed
none, for he cannot read or write
he can't sign his own name, and
doesn't even know how to make his
mark in place of his name. He i'm
presses me as a man who has been
reared in a wilderness far away from
civilization.
at is the states contention that
Duckworth killed his wife before he
and the negro, Sidney Ware, left
home for Americus about $3.50 that
afternoon. The defense will be able
to produce numerous witnesses who
saw the slain woman, Duckworth's
mother, and others about the yard
after the hour Duckworth and Ware
left for Americas. We are able to ac-
count for every minute Of Duck
worth's time after he reached Amerl-
Gus, and he did not return home, be-
ing found the next day at the home
Of his brother-in-law near Lilly, in
Dooly county. where he went for a
good and sufficient reason.
"On the other hand, the negro, Sid
ney Ware, returned home shortly af-
ter they reached Americas. Sidney
Ware killed Mrs. Duckworth that
night and threw her body in the well.
He killed her with Duckworth's
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