Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1921-10-06
POPE TAKES STAND
AND DENIES ALL Of
RAWLINGS STORIES
Explanations Why He
Was in Company of
Rawlings
WANTED TO GET A FEE
Said Rawlings Told Him
Melton Had Received
Some Money
(By Associated Press.l

|
Jacksonville, Oct. 5.-John H. Pope
local attorney, took the stand in his
own behalf today at his trial on g
charge of murder in the first degree
The defense announced it had nc
other witnesses, and began it's argu-
ment on a motion for an instructed
verdict in favor of the defendant. The
argument had not been concluded
when the case went over until to-
morrow. The state. rested early in
| the afternoons session.
Pope, was on the stand less than
an hour. He denied unequivocally that
he had any knowledge of the impend-
ing robbery of the Palace theatre
the night of September by Frank
Rawlings, who shot and killed George
H. Hickman, manager of the play
house. Pope admitted he had very
probably been at certain places de-
scribed by the states witnesses. He
denied that he had told Erwin and
Johnny Novinzky, state witnesses,
when he borrowed their car on the
night of the killing, that he and Raw
lings were going to "stick up" the
theatre.
Victim of Circumstances
The story was to the effect that he
was victim of circumstances. He had
defended Rawlings and W. C. Melton
at their trial on a grand larceny
charge. Melton was arrested in con-
nection with the present case, but
discharged after a grand jury inves-
tigation and so far as known left the
city Immediately. Neither Rawlings
nor Melton had ever paid him any
thing because of their lack of money, |
Pope said. On the night of the kill |
ing Rawlings told him that he had |
learned that Melton had received |
SOME money from his sister. He ask
ed that Pope come with him and he
would make Melton pay Pope some
thing for the two of them. Rawlings
had the impression that Melton ac-
luiring some money had gone "under
,over" Rawlings suggested they
get Novinzky's automobile as he did
lot know where Melton was. Pope
obtained the use of the car and they
lrove to down town pool room, the
ocation of which is one block behind
he theatre and one block west. Raw
ings went in the search of Melton
md returned in few minutes say
ng he lived up the street about d
'lock. They then drove to a point a
title more than a block to the rear
f the theatre. There Rawlings again
ought to find Melton while Pope
waited. He waited a considerable time
e said, probably three quarters of
n hour, getting out of the car fire.
uently as he became impatient for
'awlings to return. Finally he drove
ack to the pool room in an effort to
earn what became of Rawlings. Later
e returned the automobile to it's
wner. He never met Rawlings again
ntil they were arraigned together
n the charge of murder. He dis
aimed having ever before seen the
istol, mask and torn pieces of towel
lken from Rawlings when he was :,
rrested. a
Thought Rawlings Sore 6
The state confined its cross exami- =
alton to asking the defendant if :
! could suggest any motive on the q
art of Rawlings in duplicating him. =
Ope replied that he knew of abso- p
tely none unless that Rawlings was NJ
in his not proffering his st
rvices as an attorney and that he tt
ped to receive lighter sentence. g
,pe said he had been recently con- 't
cted of violating the prohibition in
W.
Pope, an able criminal lawyer, told &C
S story without the slightest trace e'
nervousness. His pronunciation was az
ear and he emphasized his replies. K
is demeanor throughout the trial al
IS been one of contempt for his ac- ht
sers. be
Attorney E. W. Waybright in pre- G.
nting his motion for an instructed in
rdiet argued that the allegation 81
the indictment against Pope were de