The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-04-08
true BILL AGAINST
THE COSSETT BOYS
CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL AS
ASSAULT OF TWO YOUNG
WOMEN MARCH II

Abbeyille, April 6.-0bjectng to
anything which would smack OF MILL
tarism or Prussianism in his court
room, Judge Thomas S. Sease, pre-
siding over the special term Of court
here which is to try Kenneth and John
Gossett of Honea Path, accused Of
criminal assault on three counts in
addition to overthrowing the appeal
Tor a change of venue for the defend
ants, refused to allow a military guard
to protect the accused. His decision
was announced in open court this af-
sernoon at $50 o'clock after more
than three hours of argument on the
venue appeal.
Proctor A. Bonham, of council fol
the defense, after Judge Sease an
nounced his decision, informed the
court that after a calm and thorough
survey of the sentiment of Abbeville
county he desired to state that "unless
some extraordinary precaution is taken
the case will not terminate in this
court ROOM"
The defense gave notice that it
would not be ready for trial until
Thursday morning, but Mr.. Bonham
told the Judge that he had a few
preliminary motions to make tomor-
row morning, the nature of which he
refused to divulge. 1t is believed that
considerable time will be taken in the
drawing of the jury, as they will be
placed on their voir dire. The State
has five challenges and the defense
twenty, and it is thought the present
venire will be exhausted before the
jury is organized. If this is the case,
It will delay the real opening OF the
trial for at least another day, and
lew panel will have to be drawn and
they viii have to be notified in every
part of the county.
The main argument today hinged
about whether or not the Gossets, &C
eused of criminal assault on young
woman of Abbeville on March Ia, could
receive q fair trial in this county, be-
cause of the unusual state Of mind of
the people.
Already Convicted, Says Defense.
The defense, represented by Mr..
Bonham and James b. Price, law part
ners of Greenville, contended that the
young men were already convicted in
the minds of the people Of Abbeville
county and that the prosecution rep
resented by Solicitor Homer c. Black
well, of Laurens, Solicitor George Bell
Zimmerman of Lexington, and Sen
stor J. Howard Moore Of Abbeville,
while admitting that there was large
degree of indignation at the enormity
of the crime right after its alleged
commission, contended that this men
tai attitude had subsided, the people
were willing to let the law take its
course and the accused could and
would receive fair trial.
In combating the presentation OF
the defense, which filed more than $50
.affiday.ts yesterday alleging that the
Gossetts could not receive a fair trial
at Abbeville, the prosecution presented
more than seventy sworn documents
today claiming that there would be no
miscarriage of justice. Two Of these
affidav;ts for the State were signed
by Sheriff Burts and Clerk of Court
Perrin, of Abbeville county. These
affidavits affirmed that there was
some feeling when the alleged crime
was announced, but this has died
down and that the signers had heard
no expression except that the guilty
should be punished and the innocent
should be released. They ayerred that
there was no hostile talk against the
defendants and that no overt act has
been contemplated. In addition, affi-
davits were fled by the State from
kinsmen of the prosecutrix in which it
was stated that they were perfectly
willing for the court to take its course
and are reconciled to what verdict the
Jury might bring about; that the men,
bers Of the family have not under
taken to incite mob violence, but leave
their cause to the court"
A Brother Tried to Reach Men. =.
In c,ntravention to these affdavits,
however, one was submitted by Mr..
Price, of counsel for the defense, in
(which he AYERS that he is informed
that while the Gossets were at Ander-
son awaiting Identification one OF the
brothers of the girl tried to get to
them armed with a pistol. The aftl-
=. - L. 20 informed that the