The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-09-15
SAM SINGLETON GUILTY.
Recommended to Mercy and Gets Life
Sentenc on Public Works.

Inc Lrldl Ol Sdm SluSleLOu, Jl.,
charged with the murder Of Nevy
and Jesse Kearse, consumed day
and a half of the general sessions
court last week. The case was con-
concluded Friday afternoon, when
the jury returned a verdict of guilty
of murder with recommendation to
mercy, which carries with it life
time sentence. Sentence was i'm
posed Saturday morning on Single
ton by Judge Shipp. This was the
last jury case before the court this
session, but Judge Shipp remained
over Saturday to hear equity matters.
There was more interest attached
to the trial of Singleton than in any
case involving negroes heard in the
Bamberg court house. in years.
Throughout the trial the court room
was crowded with white and colored
people. Singleton is man who is
said to have a good character. For
the last fourteen years he has farm
ed on the plantation of Wade Mitch
um, a we'll known farmer of that
section of the county.
1t will be recalled that the two
Kearse brothers were shot at Ebe-
nezer church, while district preach
ers' meeting was in progress. The
shooting occurred almost at the
chruch door, as the congregation was
returning to the church for the af-
ternoon service. Nevy Kearse was
shot once in the head, and he was
killed instantly. Jesse Kearse was
shot, it was alleged, four times, and
he died nine days later.
The prosecution endeavored to
show that the Kearses were peace
ably attending the meeting; that dur
ing the dinner hour they were at the
water pump and that just before the
killing occurred they were coming
to a place near the church to eat
dinner. The state charged that as
they approached Sam Singleton, Jr.,
opened fire on them,. killing Nevy
instantly, and mortally woGnding
Jesse. Some of the states witnesses
testified that they saw pistol in the
hands of Jesse Kearse when he was
on the ground, but all of the states
witnesses agreed that Nevy Kearse
did not have a pistol. There was
a difference of testimony whether
Jesse Kearse ever fred his pistol or
not. It was also testified on the part
of the state that Singleton shot Jesse
Kearse twice as he lay on the ground
exclaiming "Oh, Lord" or something
to that effect.
The defence sought to show that
the Kearse's had bounded Singleton
with threats on several occasions, and
particularly the day before the kill
Lug, duu uS WdS LOlu Ny q 1IaCAO IAdI
the Kearses intended to kill him on
sight; that Singleton had consistent
ly avoided the Kearses on all occa-
sions since last December. The de-
fence contended that Singletonn had
avoided the Kearses on the church
ground, and that they charged on
him from the pump three strong,
with some friends thrown in, and
opened fire on Singleton, some of the
defence witnesses testifying that
both Nevy and Jesse had pistols
either pointed at Singleton or had &C
tually fired, while others swore that
Jesse only fired, all the defendants
witnesses swearing, however, that
one of the Kearses fred on Singleton
before ne shot them down.
The case was hard fought through
out, there being an array of counsel.
Four speeches were made by counsel
in arguments before the jury.