The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-08-13
RAY EXTRACTION. CASE
WON.

The National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People with
headquarters at 20 Fifth Avenue, New
York announced through its secretary,
James Weldon johnson today the sue
cessful conclusion of the long and
difficult fight to prevent the return
of Thomas Ray, Colored nam, from
Michigan to Wilkinson County, Ga,
where he was wanted on a charge of
murder.
Early in September Of 1920, Ray
was arrested in Detroit, Prior to that
time he had been working on farm
in Wilkinson County Ga, when he
white man of poor reputation. Faux
ner while intoxicated. had made an
unwarranted assault on Ray, who in
killing Faulkner Ray escaped to Can
ada 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
Detroit Branch of ~ A. A. c. p. as
ISOLATED with them its attorney and
president, w. Ha0es Mckinney. Cover
nor Albert Sleeper of Michigan grant
ed the writ of extradition on being
appealed to by the Georgia authorities
In spite of the fact that 1t was clear
ly indicated that Ray would be lyn-
ched If returned from trial.
Rays attorney Immediately applied
for a writ of habeas corpus which
was granted. AS he was leaving the
court room. he was re-arrested on the
grand jury indictment which had been
forwarded to Detroit from Georgia
The original arrest had been made on
warrant.
The second writ of habeas corpus
was applied for, but was denied. The
attorneys then APPEALED from the de-
court to the State Supreme Court of
Michigan, which court in turn affirm
ed the verdict of the lower court.
Another appeal was then made to
Governor Groesbeck, who, upon exam
ination of the facts, ordered that the
warrant of extradition be held in
allegiance until proper investigation
could 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 at
on August end. the National office
received the following telegram from
Mr.. Mckinney:
"Michigans greatest governor re-
ton of warrant ends case. Ray is
free and released If desired, will
send Governors. opinion, Most won
cerfuf l ever heard
The National office Immediately
wired Governor Groesbeck, expressing
the appreciation Of all of its mem
bers for the brave action taken by
him.
The case was handled principally by
the Detroit Branch. N. A. A. C. p,
and Messrs. Willis and Hinton; while
valuable assistance was rendered bv
the local churches and other bod es
of Detroit. The National Office tw ce
sent Assistant Secretary White to
Michigan to testify regarding con-
Governor Sleeper. and once when the
motion for a writ of habeas corpus
was heard in the Wayne County Cir
cult Court.
II is felt that the action. of Gov
ernor Groesbeck is one of the great
est achievements Of its kind in the
history of such cases, for 1t is an in
dication of the growing feeling in
brothern States that the life of a
Colored man accused of crime
> against white man is unsafe in the
South. Successful prosecution of these
cases, It is felt, will do much towards
convincing officers of the law and
courts in Southern states that pris-
oners accused of crimes must be pro-
tected.