The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-05-19
M|STRIAL RESULTS
IN GOSNEEA CASE
Jury Deliberates for Fif.
teen Hours.
JUDGE MAULDlN
TO GRANT BOND

IMclNc Jurors DcclUft Incy are
Unable TO Agree in the Case OF Jake
G0sncll on Trial for Murder OF
Sllerin Rector.
Greenville. May 1S.--After a delib-
,eration Of 10 hours general sessions
court jury failed to agree on a verdict
in the case Of the State against Jake
Gosncll, deputy collector Of internal
revenue, charged with the murder Of
Sheriff Hendrix Rector, July 4, 1919,
and Circuit Judge II. j. Mauldin at
1913 today ordered a mistral
While no member Of the jury has
made any positive statement as 10
how the jury voted Oh the several bal
lots taken, it is understood that they
stood eight for acquittai and four for
conviction Of murder. When the first
ballot was taken the vote was for
acquittal and five for conviction, but
later one of the jurors for conviction
switched over to the acquittal side
and no further change could be
brought about. The question Of pol
itcs, it is declared did not enter at
all into the deliberations of the Jury.
Will Arrange Bond.
Judge Mauldin stated this morning
that he would give the defendant the
opportunity to give bond, but as yet
he has not decided what amount shall
be required. Gosncl can arrange
bail for considerable sum and 1t Is
believed he will be released from Jail
as soon as Judge Mauldin decides on
the sum, probably by tomorrow.
The case went to the jury at 6:1S
o'clock yesterday afternoon and at 10
o'clock last night the foreman notl-
fled Judge Mauldin that an agreement
seemed impossible. He sent the 10
men back telling them to try to reach
an agreement, but at IL o'clock thoy
retired without having come together,
Upon the convening Of court at $3.50
this morning the foreman again stated
that agreement was Impossible and
Judge Mauldn ordered the mistrial.
Failure to agree '.as caused little sur
prise to those who have followed The
case.
Arguments Were Eloquent.
Arguments running the gamut of
all human emotiCrs were heard by
counsel for the defense and state yes
terday, arguments logical, dramatic,
analytical and powerful. Every phase
of the case was touched upon and
there appeared nothing left for the
imagination of the jury. Able law
ycrs on one side wed with equally
learned and capable attorneys on the
other in battle marked by frequent
flights OF eloqucnce. dramatic cl~
makes and able cxpositions of law.
Jas. Fl. Price opened the argument
for the state In 36-minute speech.
He was followed by e. M. Blythe for
the defense, David NJ. Smoak, for the
state, was then heard, after which
G. c.. Wych held the floor for the de-
fense.
Proctor A. Bonham, for the state
and Thomas p. Cothran for defense
came next. Alvin II. Dean closed for
the defense and Solicitor j. Robert
Martin closed for the state,
During the address OF Attorney
Smoak for the state scores were
moved from laughter to ears. Cos
nells faithful wife moved her chair g
little closer to the man on trial and
great tears rolled from her eyes as
states counsel pictured her husband
as "an anarchist when Rector's name
is mentioned, treacherous character
a tell tale and double crosser." Mr.
Smoak held the coat OF the slair
sheriff up to the gaze OF the jury ant
exclaimed dramatically: 9rhis wit.
ness nobody can question. 1T Is thu
incarnation OF the voice OF the dead
1t speaks loudly but one word, 'mur
der, murder. Allow me to lay tn,
blood Of the slain at your feet and asl
you in Gods name to avenge by Law
the death OF the man who was shot IL
the back"
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