The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-02-14
MURDER PROBE
Being PUSHED
Investigations of Negroes Con-
tinued by SOlicitOr-LOng
Held in County Jail
TWO THEORIES IN CASE
Three Gangs Gunmen After
Cooley Night of Murder Ac-
cOrding to Confessions

| Investigations of the two nergroes
held in connection with robbery and
suspicion in connection with the Coo
ley murder, We're continued yesterday
but no new developments were an
nounced from official sources last
night. The Investigations will be given
to the grand jury for deliberation by
that body today. Circuit Court SOlici-
tor McGheehe held long conferences
with the two negroes at a late hour
! last night, but had no announcement
| to make following. The two negroes
Were brought together and each lLain-
! tanned their former attitude that the
| other one did the shooting.
| Ned Long was released from the city
| Jail yesterday afternoon and immedl-
ately taken into custody by the county
where he is held awaiting action by
| the grand jury. A writ of habeas cor
/ pus was started to have the negro re-
| leased from custody by Longs father
| and the negro was moved and placed
| under the more serious charge to pre-
went his liberty. James Robinson is
yet held in the city Jail.
That George Cooley would have been
murdered by one of three gangs of gun
men seems evident from confessions.
Ex-Policeman Martin and ''Dago
George" Ervaine, and the other two
gangs were the two halves of band
of negro robbers From the confes-
sions it appears the negroes did not
know anything of the plans of the
white men and the white men did not
know that the negroes were laying
for the restaurant man.
The only confession made so far in
which the one making the confession
admits taking an active part in the
murder, is from Martin. He states that
he held Cooley while "Dago George"
fired the shot. Each of the negro
gangs assert they intended to rob Coo
ley but that the other gang did the
shooting. From these confessions it
appears Cooley was in danger on that
night from three sources.
Revenge was the motive in Martins
confession. Planned robbery was the
motive in the statement made by
James Robinson. with one of the negro
gangs, and the same motive is given
by Ned Long, leader Of the other gang.
Martin is the only man VINO says that
he was with Cooley when he was shot.
He says he held Cooley while Dago
George fired. If his statement is true,
he and the Austrian killed the restau-
rant man.
The negroes are positive in their
statements that the other negro gang
killed Cooley. They say this convinc-
ingly, because they knew the other
gang was looking for him with pre-
planned robbery. When Cooley was
shot, each thought the other gang did
the shooting. Unlike Martins state
ment, neither one of the negroes Will
admit that he fired the shot or was
near enough to hold the restaurant.
keeper while some one else fired the
shot. 1t is possible that unless one OF
the negroes will confess to firing the
shot or witnesses will testify that one
of the negroes fired the pistol, Martin
and the Austrian will be held for the
murder
The negroes are telling the truth,
probably, when they tell Of the pre-
planned robbery. They suppose, prob
ably or are telling the truth when
they say the other gang killed Cooley
They knew nothing of the white gun
men and say Cooley was murdered IN
carrying out the plans made on West
Hill