The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-21
HALL ID APPEAL FROM LIFE TERM
 GIVEN BY JURY
RusseIIviIIe Merchant Found Guilty of First Degree Murder for Killing
 Martha Henderson

RAs6llville, August 2o.-(Sp scial.) ) Ths case of Fred R. Hall, charged witaa the murder of Miss Martha Hen- es<on, and who was placed on trial hero Thursday morning, went to the jury last night at 10 o'clock. After being out for nine hours. the jury returned a verdict Of guilty. The verdict was brought into the court room this morning at o'clock and read as follows:
 We. the jury, find the defendant, Fred R. Hall, guilty of murder in the first degree and fix his punish ment at life in the state peniten- tiary.
 ! Immediately after the verdict was read attorneys for Hall filed notice Tof appeal and Hall will be compelled to remain In Jail here until January, at which time the case is expected to come up in the supreme court. | The closing arguments in the case were delivered by Fritz Thompson, special counsel for the prosecution. and A. H. Carmichael, for the defen- ] idant. During his speech Carmich 1el i was most severe in his remarks and criticism of the demonstrations ma ie by the public in connection with the case and made most excellent oPCCSH III Doidil OI llio CllcHl. no attorney reminded the jury that Hall had been one who had sinned and gone wrong, but was ready and wanted to repent, but the woman n question had bounded him until death ended the game" as she said it would.
 Fritz Thompson began his speech to the jury by introducing himself and taking up the evidence Tn the case, which he asked the jury to fcarefully weigh, asking God to guide them in their work.
 During the course of his address the attorney referred to Hall many times as "the worthless curl and oe- clared his worthless neck should be broken"
 PInns Changed
 Attorney Williams, for the ce- fense, and Solicitor Jones for the prosecution, had spoken in the afternoon. Judge Alnon announced just before the night session shat he would not deliver his charge be- fore morning. This plan, however, was changed and many believed that the jury would report last night.
 In delivering his charge. Judge Almon gave the jury the law in such cases. going into every detail thoroughly. after which the defense announced that they were satisfied with the judges charge.
 The verdict of the Jury this morn ing ended one of the greatest legal battles ever fought in Alabama.
 When the defendant took the stand in his own behalf and began the story of his life and connection with Martha Henderson, the names of many large cities throughout the country were given and the names of many prominent people were mentioned.
 The first witncss to testify for the defendant was Jim Ramsey, lumber man of Red Bay, who testified that he had been in St. Louis several days prior to the time that Martha Hen derson had left that city for Russell Vile and that he had eaten supper with her in a prominent cafe. Ram -sey stated that the woman had asked nm about Hall and also stated that she had remarked that she would see him in a few days, that she was going to make him dig up." Ram sey further stated that he told the woman of Halls financial condition and that she remarked, He can al- ways get money when I call on him"
 Tn telling his story Hall said that he was Introduced to Miss Tender son in 1919 by R. c. Arthur of Shef- Held and that Arthur had told the girl of him previously and stated that he had friend who had lots O. money was . good spender and | nigh roller. Hall stated that he met the woman and she had told him that she was . "crook" and had a father living in Dallas but that he would not let her return home
 AlwAys On His Trail
 The defendant then told of his ex- tensive travel and that Miss Hendsr. son was always in his track. that he had secured thA woman | position in St. Louie where she worked for two weeks, but denied having made Ar- rangements for her board Hall fur. ther stated that the woman had bought $100 worth of goods on his credit at Ely walkers in St. Louis.
 At the time Miss Hendsrson ar rived in TuscumbiA from St. Louis Hall stated that he had gone to meet her because he was afraid of the re- suits # hs did not, and that he had gotten her | room in Sheffield at Cap FuNer's rooming house. but that sh4 hAd remafked, "If you return to Rus selNille am going. too"
 bn givinS an account of the killing Hall stated that the woman had sent word that she was coming to the store to kill him ara that he had warned her of the result that wh&n she did apbsAr hS had eaid, spo not sons In hArl,' The womsn's ayae wsss under h9f coat Ae eaid. And as ehs tterped forwAfd T fofeot and vent e. 1heotine."