The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1920-05-22
]. 3. Robertson, Slayer of Boutwells,
Testifes.

1H6 ClluldA OIL, the JFldl was r6acl-
ed Tuesday afternoon, when ]. q.
Robertson was put on the stand by
the defense to testify in his own be-
half. He made a good witness for
himself. The cross examination of
this witness was conducted by r. N.
Miller, who, with J. H. Garth, jr.,
assisted District Attorney Miller in
the prosecution. Although Mr.. Mil
Ter conducted the cross-examination
with all his well known fire and
skill, he could in no wise shake the
testimony of the defendant, who gave
substantially the same version as
given on his preliminary hearing.
The account Of the testimony below
from the daily papers is in substance
correct:-
"Boutwells lived on my place in
1919 and worked crop on shares.
Told them / wouldn't have them un-
der any circumstances unless they
would work under my instructions.
We got along well until James Bout
well and his two boys Lonnie and
Luther, fell out.
They were out of their crop some
time and wanted to sell out the to-
mato crop to me. On the day of the
killing / went over in the field with
my wagon to get some lumber to re-
pair my house. I had told the Bout
wells not to use this lumber.
My wife was on the wagon until
we got within 100 yards of Nose
Ashley's house. Wife and / went in
the gate and she went on to the pack
ing shed.
MY attention was called to my
wife calling for me soon after get
ting to the packing shed as Mrs.
Boutwell, and her daughter had en-
gagged with her in fight. / start
ed TO my wife and saw one of the
Boutwell, boys come off the packing
shed. He had hatchet in his hand
and was coming toward me. One of
the boys struck at my wife with some
thing. Luther, the other boy came
towards me saying: You get her and
we will tend to him. l began to
shoot as fast as could. Don't
know which one killed first. Luth-
er Boutwell, had the hatchet in his
hand and was in the act of striking
me when ! shot. Lonnie Boutwell,
had something in his hand. / heard
someone coming to my left. 1t was
James Boutwell,. He was within ten
feet of me when l fred. / tried to
shoot again but my pistol was empty
and Boutwell, got on. top of me and
/ got up and struck him with my
pistol. / did not know at this time
that I had killed Luther and Lonnie
Boutwell, and expected them to fall
on me. / shot absolutely in defense
of my life.
Il never made any threats against
the Boutwells. / carried my pistol
on account of the threats that had
been told me were made by the Bout
wells and took my pistol to protect
myself"
Evidence was brought out that. the
Boutwells were tenants on one place
and ran the landlord off. Robertson
said if the Boutwells had not gotten
in his way when he started to his
wife he would not have shot them.
II was compelled to act as I did.
! thought my wife in danger, two
women lighting her and a man going
toward her.
Il said give them hell until get
there James Boutwell, had a club
coming toward me and had it raised
to strike and did strike about the
time shot. Mrs. Boutwell, had a
knife. My gun was empty and If she
had got near me would have run.
James Boutwell, was within ten feet
when shot. "-Hazlehurst Courier.