Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-11-25
TRIAL OF WeESE BOYS,

| On w cuHcSuaN Ol last week the
blowing jury was empannellcd to
r. Robert Wcesc: Estil Sims. r.. II.
Sjpps, q. W. Erskinc. J. &. Sharo.
\. Lewis, S. l.. Curry. Harvey
Inudermilk, Ben Ford. Hill Jones.
] l.. Rodgers, NJ. s. Liyhtncr and
fum Smith.
This case grew out Of the murder
4 George Huffman in the mountains
h White Sulphur District last
|igust. 1t seems that Robert Wccsc
>d his brother, Jasper Wccsc, were
ngagcd in the manufacture and
4 lc of moonshinc liquor and thai
bmc one or more than one, engaged
Il like business had appropriated
run of liquor they had made on
certain night and that the Wccsc
pNS armed themselves and went
lt in hunt of the party or parties.
hey suspitioned George Huffman
hd went into his home, lumber
imp shack, and committed what
is in the minds Of all q cold-blood
murder. They were indicted
intlN and tried Jointly at the
Fptcmb"r Term of the Court. which
ial resulted in Il hung jury. The
ial at the present term of the Court
Stcd from Wednesday until Satur-
BY morning, Of last week, when the
Try brought in Il verdict Of murder
the first degree recommending
T. Imprisonment. The argument
the case was concluded on Fri
BY night. The defendant was ably
PprcScted by J. Scott McWhorter,
Lewisburg, and Thomas n. Read,
Hinton. Be it said to their credit
ley made as strong defense as was
bssible for any one TO make under
le circumstances and evidcce. The
ate was represented by Prosecut-
k Attorny, S. NJ. Austin and Frank
iii, of Marlinton. Mr.. Hill, in the
pSing argument of the case, made
mastcrly presentation Of the evil
encc and law applicable to the
sc. One would have to travel
any mile TO hear more thorough
Fascination Of a case than Mr.. Hill
adc for the State in this instance.
On Saturday morning 4 jury had
st been completed and the case
escnted by the State to 80 to trial
10 Jasper WccSe, when the jury
burned its verdict as above stated.
bforc going further, it was agreed
at Jasper Wccse would be per-
tied to Withdraw his plea of not
Pity, and cntcr plea of guilty Of
Irdcr in the second degree, he to
&c the maximum sentence. AS
tl as The formaIities of The law
d been complied with, Judge
mlncrs ii. Sharp, in weIl-choscn
Al appropriate words, sentenced
PDrrt Wccse to life Imprisonment
III Jasper Wcese TO a term of
Bhtccn years. In his remarks
&C Sharp made use Of the follow
THE oilcnsc Of which you have
gen convicted is the outgrowlh
elimination Of The illegal man
facturc of liquors in which YOU
avc been engaged in the vicinity
the scene OF this murder. 1t
pay be reasonably inferred from
Pc evidence in this case that YOU
FothcrS had been engaged in
Raking moonshinc liquor and that
p the might preceding the mur-
cr of George Huffman you had
part Of your whiskcy stolen and
may gather from the evidence
Pat you accused George Huffman
no an other Of having taken your
Fhlskey. In, this you may be cor
fct yet even this be true il gave
ou no license to commit murder.
ple penalty in this case is severe.
81 1t IS only commensurate with
crime that has been commit
fd. 1 doubt not that the GRIM
al annals of this County does not
pow a more deliberate killing as
hS been narrated by the wit
esscs in this case.
This certainly should he a
sson to others who may be en-
l9cd In the manufacture of
oonshinc wiriskey that the day
settlement will finally come,
hd should be enough to turn all
oSe similarly engaged, to the
blnS Of IaNrfuI T,i,rct,ifc -