The Chicago whip. (Chicago, Ill.) 1919-19??, 1921-08-13
DOUBTS GEORGIA
JUSTICE, DENIES
EXTRACTION
Governor Groesbeck Frees Man
Wanted For Murder In
Georgia.

NEW YORK CITY. August ID
The National Association for the Nd
yancemcnt OF Colored People with
headquarters at 20 Fifth Avenue, New
York has announced through its sec
rotary, James Weldon Johnson, the
successful conclusion of the long and
difficult fight to prevent the return OF
Thomas Ray. a colored man, from
Michigan to Wilkinson County, Ga,
where he was wanted on charge OF
murder
Early in September OF 1920 Ray
was arrested in Detroit. Prior to
that time he had been working on a
farm in Wilkinson County. Ga, when
he was attacked by Dewitt Faulkner,
white man OF poor reputation.
Faulkner. while intoxicated, had made
an unwarranted assault on Ray, who
life, killing Faulkner Ray escaped to
Canada and later went to Detroit,
where he was arrested.
Messrs. Willis and Hinton of De-
troit were retained by Rays father to
prevent the extradition, and the De
troit Branch OF the ~ A. A. {. p.
associated with them its attorney and
president, W. Hayes Mckinney.
Governor Albert Sleeper OF Michigan
granted the writ OF cxtradition on
being appealed to by the Georgia au-
thorities. in spite of the fact that ii
was clearly indicated that Ray would
be lynched il returned for trial
Ray attorney Immediately applied
Tor writ OF habcas corpus which was
granted. As he was leaving the court
room, he was rc-arrcsted on the grand
Jury indictment which had been for
wardcd TO Detroit from Georgia. The
original arrest had been made on a
warrant
The second writ OF habcas corpus
was applied for but was denied. The
attorneys then appealed from the de
cision OF the Wayne County Circuit
court to the State Supreme Court OF
Michigan. which court IN turn affirmed
the verdict OF the lower court
Another appeal was then made to
the warrant OF extradiction be held in
allegiance until proper investigation
cauld be made into the charge that
plans had been made to lynch Ray on
his return TO the Southern state. This
charge was amply proven by attorneys
for Ray.
On August End the National Office
received the following telegram from
Mr.. Mckinney:
"Michigan's greatest governor re-
yokes warrant in Ray case. Revoea-
ton OF warrant ends case. Ray IS free
and released II desired, will send
Governors opinion. Most wonderful
| ever heard.
The National Office Immediately
wired Governor Groesbecll, expressing
the appreciation OF all OF its members
for the brave action taken by him.
Tic case was handled principally by
the Detroit Branch, n. A. a. {. p.
and Messrs. Willis and Hinton; while
valuable assistance was rendered by
the local churches and other bodies oil
Detroit. The National Office twice
sent Assistant Secretary White tc
Michigan to testify regarding condi-
tons in southern states, once before
Governor Sleeper, and once when the
motion for a writ OF habeas corpus
was heard in the Wayne County Cir
cult Court.
1t is felt that the action OF Governor
Groesbeck is one OF the creates
achievements OF its kind in the history
Of such cases, for il is an indication
Of the growing feeling m northern
states that the lie of ooiored maj
accused of a crime against a Whit
man is unsafe in the South Success
ful prosecution OF these cases, II i
felt, will do much towards convincing
officers OF the law and courts in South
crn states that prisoners accused 0
crimes must be protected