The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1920-04-21
'eople Of County Have
Been Greatly Inter
ested In Case.
HcGRAW PLACED
lon WITNESS STAND
lam Mays, Negro, Said
Leonard Planned Rob
Couple.

One of the most interesting cases
her tried in the Justice of Peace
burt, was brought to close yester-
by afternoon when Mr.. and Mrs. r.
McGraw were acquitted of the muir
er of Leonard Golden, negro taxicab
liver at Itta Bena on last Thursday
ght. The case was scheduled to be
klled at 2 o'clock and before this hour
e crowd over-flowed the Board of
lpervisors room and it was announ-
IA that the case would be held in the
rcuit court room on the second floor.
their eagerness to hear the testi-
1ony, the platform Of the court room
las crowded. Some stood in the seats
order to get a better view of the
buple as they were brought into the
burt room.
# Mrs. McGraw, who admitted she
red the bullet, which killed the ne
10, entered the court room with her
Slsband and was cool and self possess
( ID throughout the entire trial. She
hd her husband listened intently to
e evidence produced and little con
took place between them.
Hrs. McGraw was attired in dark col
Ned skirt, with brown sweater trim
led with blue and tan plaid and wore
large hat of brown maline. She is
funette, pretty and attractive.
Sheriff Vardaman was first witness
take the stand. He told of the
hiding of the dead body of the negro
81 the home of DR.. Crisler, described
here the bullets entered the body
hd the contents of the suit case which
Sas left in the car.
II Sam Mays, the negro who accom-
Sanied Leonard Golden on the trip to
ta Bena was the next witness called
he negro stated that he had been
yorking with Leonard, his partner
2Or only ten days. He said they were
hired to take Mr.. and Mrs. McGraW
h Itta Bena in order that "they might
let in a game" He told of the triE
Ecross the Pelucia Bayou bridge anc
tated after going past the Planters
Ill Mill they were forced to turn back
living to the bad road. When ques
ioned why they went across the Pei
cia Bayou if they were hired to go tt
tta Bena, Sam stated he did not know
Leonards reason for driving in thai
Erection, After close questioning San
Omitted they stopped the car, remoV
ID the taxicab sign and the tag mum
Ter. The negro said this was done IL
order that they might not be arrested
Tor speeding. The negro also told o.
y conversation between himself an(
leonard in which the latter had eX
pressed desire "to get in hand reacl
bf the McGraw's money" He saiC
Leonard told him that McGraw hat
bome money and he was going to tt!
And rob him. Sam stated that he re
hOnstrated with Leonard and told hin
be would get into trouble if he attem
pied this. Sam also admitted tha
Leonard had told him he intended t
30 to Greenville, sell his car and leaV
for Oklahoma.
Mr.. Vardaman was recalled to tn
witness stand and he gave in detai
he different conflicting stories whlc
Sam Mays had told him, regarding tn
affair.
a Near the close of the trial, Mr., Mic
Graw was placed on the stand
came to Greenwood from Clarksdal
Thursday afternoon on the q o'cloc
train" he said. "The first time | sa'
Sam Mays was at the depot that eN
ening about $3.50 o'clock, when he az
costed me and asked me for a matcl
gave him one and he asked me If
wanted to hire taxicab. tol
him ! did not unless he could take m
to place where could "get INTO
game" | told him | was strange
here and he asked me if | didn't kno
anyone. | told him | did not Il
told me he knew of place at III
Bena where there was game in proi
ress day and night and said he wou
take me there. / asked him what
would charge and he said 81. TO
him | would go get my wife. he e
gagged in conversation with a anoth
negro and when / returned with MI
McGraw the strange negro took q
wheel and we started on the trip"
McGraw told Of the trip across g
Bayou bridge. He said when tn
were forced to turn around there
account of the mud that the negro
told them they would take them oy
another road to Itta Bena, how tht
suspicious were aroused by the ]
moval of the tag number and ia
sign. MeGraw declared that he tt