The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-03-17
DRUNK CHARGE
AGAINST LAIRD
IS DISPROVED
AFFIDAVIT FILED IN BAY coUN-
TY COURT MAKES EMPHATIC
DENIAL OF CHARGES ARISING
AT BLACKWELL TRIAL.

Certified copies Of an affidavit filed
in the circuit court Of Bay county. at
Panama City, as q part Of the pro-
ceedings in the last trial OF the Black
well case, in which emphatic denial
is made that III. 8. laird and w. J..
Rice, attorneys for the defendants
were in any manner intoxicated dur
ing the recent trial at Panama City,
as charged at the time. have been re-
ceiyed here.
The affidavit, which is signed by
court and county officials will be
OF local interest since there has been
some comment concerning the en-
ployment OF H. S. Laird to assist At
torney III. j. Mackey, Of the court OF
record in the prosecution OF the large
number of criminal cases. some OF
them Of somewhat sensational ma
ture. to be taken up in the court Of
record during the week.
The affidavit. filed in the office of
W. H. Marshall, clerk OF the circuit
court at Panama City, after an appeal
to the supreme court had been taken
in the case for new trial for the
BlackweIls, is signed by Ira A. Hutch
inson. states attorney: Carl s. Russ.
sheriff: J. B. Blackwell, tax collector;
John p. Stokes, assistant states attor-
ney in that case; J. H. Williams. dep
uty sheriff; G.. H. Ashbell. ], NJ. Wick
ers, Leland Caswell, one of the jurors
in the case and DIR. w. J. Lee, physi-
clan who attended Mr.. Laird during
the ten days trial.
The affidavit, sworn to before and
bearing the seal Of the clerk of the
circuit court OF Bay county. follows:
State of Florida, County of Bay.
Before the subscriber personally
appeared Ira A. Hutchinson, John r.
Stokes, Carl s. Russ, G. H. Asbell J.
NJ. vickers, J. H. Williams. ]. B. Black
well and Leland CasweI and w. L.
Lee, each Of whom being by me first
duly sworn, deposes and says, each
for himself, that he was personally
present in the circuit court of Bay
county, Fla, at Panama City. in said
county and state, throughout the trial
of VIII and Robert Blackwell for the
alleged murder OF NJ NJ. Davis, on
March Fl, 1917 in Okaloosa county,
Fla.
"The trial began on December Z.
1918 and continued until December 81.
1918. and that they saw nothing in the
appearance, manner or speech Of eth
err H. s. Laird or w. J. Rice. attorneys
for the defendants. that indicated that
either of said attorneys were in any
manner or to any extent under the In
fuence of Intoxicating liquors while
in court conducting said case. and that
while in court conducting said case
of said attorneys appeared to be fully
sober
THE said Fl. S. Laird was PERSONAL
ly present in said court throughout
the trial of said case and w. ]. Rice
was personally present in said court
throughout the trial of said case, ex-
cept one day; that during the en-
paneling of the jury to try said case
defendants and their attorneys, H. s.
Laird and w. j. Rice has sitting with
them and assisting them in the selec-
tfon OF the jury. attorney ]. Ed. Stokes.
OF the Panama City bar and DIR. w. J.
Lice, a physician of said town, that
lsaid w. j. Rice consumed more than
-four hours in presenting the defend
ANTS case to the jury in his argument.
hnd that said II. s. Laird consumed
more than three hours in presenting
the defendants case to the jury in his
argument, and that said II. S. Laird
consumed more than three hours in
kresenting the defendants case to the
k,ry In his argument.