The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-03-25
MRS. SHEPPARD
Is FOUND GUILTY
Charged with Manslaushter In connee-
ton with the Death of Mrs.
Eva Aibury.

Guilty OF manslaughter was the YER
dict of the jury in the case of Mrs.
Anna Sheppard, charged with the death
of Mrs. Eva Albury on January 81 of
this year, by performing a criminal
operation on the dead woman.
The jury. composed of Jesse Simmons,
l.. n. Webster, H. c. Graham, w. G.
Kelly, Jas. A. Bryars and w. j. Has
tings, retired at 6:l0 O'Clock last night
and returned with a verdict three
hours later, at 9:l0 O'Clock
Mrs. Sheppard was taken in custody
by Sheriff Ellis, being unable to make
the bond OF $4,000 last night.
The defense has four days in which
to file motion for a new trial. No in
formation could be obtained last night
whether this would be done
Mrs. Bessie Downs, sister of Mrs. AL
bury, was the first witness introduced
by the state yesterday morning when
court convened.
Mrs Downs stated that she was with
her sister when she died at 2:17 o'clock,
Thursday morning, January "a.
She told of a telephone conversation
she held with Mrs. Sheppard in which
the latter seemed to be worried over the
attendance of a physician on Mrs. AL
bury, telling her lit was the worst
thing they could have DONE" also that
Mrs. Sheppard has asked Mrs. Downs
not TO give her away" She said that
Mrs. Sheppard assured her that her
sister was all right and would not die.
Mrs. Anna Sheppard, the defendant.
was then called to the stand, she being
the only witness called by the defense.
Mrs. Sheppard denied that she had
anything whatever TO do with the at
tempted abortion practiced upon the
dead woman, and also denied giving any
money to the soldier, Cowart either for
himself or for Albury.
The defendant said that she had
known Mrs. Albury for the past two
years and that they had been intimate
friends, so close friendship existing
between the two that Mrs Albury always
spoke of ner as Mother Sheppard"
She related the coming to her home
on Monday about noon, of Mrs. Albury,
accompanied by a man whom she at
that time did not know. The two drove
up to the house in an automobile. Mrs.
Albury coming into the house. Mrs. AL
bury told the defendant that she was
in trouble; that she had come to her
for advice, but wanted to go somewhere
else on account of the folks about the
house. Mrs. Sheppard stated that she
suggested to her that they could go
around the corner to Mrs keefe's home,
where they would not be disturbed.
According to Mrs. Sheppard, Mrs. AL
bury went back to the auto and was
driven around the corner, she, after
finishing sorting out the clothes for the
washerwoman, followed. Upon reach
ing the home of Mrs. Keefe, where the
three women talked a few moments,
Mrs. Keefe went to the kitchen. Then
Mrs. Albury told the defendant that she
had attempted an abortion on herself,
but apparently was unsuccessful, and
had come to her for advice. She posi-
lively denied that she had performed an
abortion on the dead woman, but ad-
vised her to see physician Mrs. AL
bury then left, walking to the corner,
where she met the auto and was driven
away.
The next day. Mrs. Sheppard testi-
fed, some one whose voice she did not
recognize called her to the phone and
told her Eva Albury was sick and want
ed to know if a bottle of Coco Cola
would hurt her. On Wednesday the
same person rang up and asked about
calling in a doctor, and Mrs. Sheppard
said she advised the calling in of one.
Mrs. Sheppard was as positive in her
denial that she had ever given Cowart
any money. The first time Cowart
came 10 ner nome, she said, he came
to ask her for information about a
house he wanted to rent; that he could
get one, but the rent was $50 month
and that he wished to find a cheaper
place and thought perhaps she might
know of one. During this conversation
Mrs. Cowart said that CowaTt told her
that he thought he could help her in
:he coming trial. not stating how,
though.
She saw Cowart another time and
asked Eini IL he had done anything for
her, but he told her that he had not
yet seer Albu:y. Another time Cowart
came 20 her home, but no evidence was
brought out as to how he was TO help
her.
The state then called Mrs Downs.
Major Mcclure, Il. ID. Cowart anC Bun
nell Abury in rehuttal
After the arguments to the jury by
County Solicitor William Fisher for the
state, and John =. Stokes for the de-
fcnsc, and Judge c. Moreno Jones
charge to the jury. the case was left
in the hands Of the jury who returned
verdict as stated above.
Court then adjourned until 10 o'clock
this morning.