The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-04-14
GEORGIA FARMER
FOUND GUILTY
HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR DEATH
OF NEGRO FARM HAND.
GETS LIFE TERM

John S. Williams, of Jasper coun-
ty, Ca, accused ot the murder of ele-
ven of his negro farm hands to halt
a federal investigation of peonage,
was found guilty If murder by jury
in Newton county superior court Sat-
urday at Covington, Ga. and sentenc-
ed to life Imprisonment.
Motion for a new trial was immedi-
ately filed and hearing on the motion
was set for April 80 at Decatur, Ga.
The verdict of murder with recon-
mendation for mercy, which under
Georgia law automatically carries a
life sentence, was read exactly 1S
hours after the case went to the jury.
and was calmly received by Williams.
A moment later a.; his wife and chill
dren began to sob he seemed to be
struggling to restrain his own emo
tions. Just after court adjourned Will
liams' two daughters became hyster-
cal and were led from tie room by
friends. The defendant appeared
more affected by his family's suffer-
ing than he had been by the verdict.
He was on trial specifically charged
with the murder of one of the negroes
found drownded in Newton conuty,
Clyde Manning negro farm boss for
Williams and jointly indicted with
him, testified that on Williams order
he and another negro, killed later,
had done the killing. Williams maili-
tanned a cheerful attitude during the
trial and had stoutly maintained his
innocence, although admitting he may
have been technically guilty of peon-
age, as he said he had paid fines for
negroes and let them work out the
debt.
Sentence was formally passed with
IN a few moments after the verdict
was read. Judge Hutcheson restated
the verdict was read by T. R. Starr,
a farmer and foreman of the jury
and added: "And the verdict is the
sentence of the court"
Verdict Legal.
The verdict was not in exact form
but in open court both sides agreed
that is was legal by supreme court
decisions and that no exception would
be taken.
The motion for a new trial was
made on the grounds that the verdict
was contrary to the evidence; con-
trary to the law and without evidence
to support it."
The Jurors were composed of seven
farmers, the remainder comprising
merchants, clerks and a barber. Most
of them were young men, six OF them
serving on a pury for the first time.
The case went to trial April 9Th,
one day being taken up with argu-
ments for postponement and selection
of a jury. The state took little more
than a day to present its evidence
while the defense lelied solely on the
unswon statement of Williams.
The fact that the defendant was
not sworn prevented his being cross
examined and by introducing no evi-
dence the defense won the privilege
of opening and closing the arguments.
The jury went out at 3:51 p. m.
Saturday and was said to have taken
more than six ballots, much Of the
time being devoted to discssion of the
case. The first ballot stood six for
a verdict of murder, with no recon-
mendation, thus currying death SEN
tence, and the other six voted to ac-
quit Williams, according to jurors.
Save for a brief recess for supper
the jurors considered the case until
shortly before midnight when they
routed the Judge and opposing cou"
sci out of bed and had the entire
charge repeated. Foreman Starr said
the Jury was not certain as to the
exact point of law in doubt.
Solicitor Brand has announced that
Manning will be tried on the murder
indictment against him but no date
has yet been set.