The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-07-17
TWO Tenn. BOYS,
BOTH 10, FACING
DEATH IN CHAIR
One Accused Of Killing Little
Girl; Other Of Shooting
Father to Death.

BRISTOL, Va.-Tenn., July 49,
Two nineteen-year-old boys Of this
vicinity are facing execution ~ muir
derers.
They are:
Uern CULLEN, 10. charged with
the assault and murder Of pretty
eleven-year-old Elsie Lawson, At
Kingsport. Tenn, on the Virginia
Tennessee line, last June 8. and
Carl Murreil. recently convicted
Of shooting to death his father.
Thomas MurreIl . wealthy farmer,
ut the MurreM home near Fall
Branch, Tenn, last March 10, after
= quarrel, in which the name Of
Young Murrell's divorced mother
and his fathers fisncee figured.
Quillen will be tried at the SeptsEn-
Der term Of the Sullivan county cir
emit court, the county officials have
announced. He was arraigned last
week and pleaded not guilty.
A REVOLVING MURDER.
The crime Of which CULLEN IL ac-
cused IL one of the most revolving ever
brought to light in this section.
The body Of the Lawson child was
found In the baseball park at Kings-
port on the morning Of June Z. Her
head had been crushed, apparently
with q heavy piece of timber that was
found nearby, and her clothing had
been torn from y her body. Blood
hounds were taken to the park. and
before evening Of the same day CULLEN
had been placed under arrest after the
dogs had taken a trail from the base
ball park to his home.
A negro was first arrested and
charged with the crime, but he was
released when new evidence pointed
girl and who had been warned TO stay
away from her by her father, .
laborer.
CULLEN AN, Ex.CONvICT.
When arrested CULLEN had only
been out Of the penitentiary q short
time. He had been sentenced to q
term of five years for alleged assault
of a young girl. but was pardoned. A
bloody shirt was found on the youth
when he was taken In custody. He
disclaims all knowledge OF the murder.
A new phase in the murder case OF
Carl Miller, also q Sullivan county
boy. will be taken up June 20. when
the jury that recently found him
guilty of shooting to death his father
will be recalled to the courthouse to
answer questions.
This action comes as the result of
plea for a new trial by the de-
Tense. 1t is claimed that the officer
in charge Of the Murrell jury con.
versed frequently with the jurymen In
the courtroom. The order recalling
the jury was filed by the court at the
instance of the prosecution which
maintains that nothing concerning the
trial was discussed by the officer and
the jurymen. The State asks that the
defense question the jurymen con-
corning this point. judge d. A. Vines.
who heard the case. will not act on
the motion for a new trial until this
question is settled.
PARENTS WERE DIVORCED.
The elder Murreil died soon after he
was shot, six bullets taking effect Nm
his body. The boy claimed he did
not shoot until he saw his father
reach for a weapon.
Mr.. and Mrs. Murrsll had been d.
vorced about q year, and Mr.. Murren
was planning to wed again, It Is said.
The quarrel between father and son
arose over d discussion Of the APP
preaching marriage.
Mrs. Murrell testified In her sons
behalf during his trial in the circuit
court at Blountville.