The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-09-14
BRAZE4L SLAYER
is FOUND GUILTY
CONTINUED from page one.)

| court was adjourned at about 5:3(
o'clock, Solicitor T. C. Callison tt
begin his cross examination of the
prisoner tomorrow morning at 9:3(
o'clock, when the trial will be re-
sumed. With the conclusion Of
Kirby's testimony the defense viii
probably rest, the case going to the
jury following short addresses by
Solicitor Callisbn and A. D. Martin
court appointed counsel FOR Kirby
of the murder of young Brazell, viii
be tried simultaneously, their case
coming up Immediately after YER
dict has been returned in the Kirby
case.
Kirby took the stand late In the
afternoon just after the state had
rested its case, Jesse Gappins, code.
Efendant with Kirby and Fox, being
the witness for the prosecution. Gap,
ppins took the stand voluntarily and
.contradicted Kirby's original story
in essential details. Kirby, Gappins
isaid, was the only member Of the
trio who had any idea of stealing the
car. Kirby, he swore, met and in
.yited them to make the trip to "get
some girls at house near Lexing-
invited Fox and Gappins to
join him in a trip to Lexington for
this purpose. He also testified that
Kirby, instead Of asking Fox to
spare young Brazell's life, three
times attempted to persuade him to
take the blackjack and hit the driver
over the head. Kirby, he said, instead
of sitting idly by watching the other
two men kill young Brazell, was the
first of the trio to grab the driver;
choking Brazell while Fox hit the
boy. He swore that Kirby instead of
being threatened by Fox and Gap
pins; threatened his two companions.
TheTblackjack, Gappins also testified
was bought by Kirby and was given
to. GAppins on Thursday before
,bhe crime was committed. and was
later, Gappins said, given by him to
Fox who, che thought" had the wea.
pom in his pocket the night of the
killing.
Gappins swore that he and Fox
were both misled by Kirby into be-
lieving that the three of them were
to go to a point about a mile and a
half beyond Lexington where they
were to get some girls and bring
Them back to town. Kirby, he said
hired the automobile and picked uI
Fox and himself at the Seaboard sta
tion, where they had gone, he claim
ed, to find out the schedule of the
Camden train. Just on the Augusta
side of Lexington Kirby, according
to Gappins testimony, got out Of the
car and approached Gappins, telling
him to take the blackjack and "knocl
hell out of blazell.", Gappins claims
he refused to obey Kirby's orders
saying that such thing would "ge'
them all in trouble" damn trou
ble," Kirby is alleged to have re-
piled. "They know me well at the
penitentiary. I was sent up for life
and got out Of that and I reckon
that I'll get out Of this" Twice agair
Kirby stopped the car, Gappins said
and twice again this conversation
was repeated.
At the scene Of the killing Fo,
had the car stopped, Gappins testi
fed, and while Kirby held the driv
er choking him. Fox hit him with ths
blackjack three times bursting
the leather jacket that held tht
'load." Gappins got out Of the car
he said, while Fex went around thu
back Of the car, Kirby In the mean
time holding on to the wounded man
Kirby released his hold on the boy''
neck somewhat Gappins testified
and the boy began pleading for hi:
life, !"I'm dying" he said. To which
Gappins said Kirby answered, eyes
damn you, you will be dying when
I get through with you" Fox ther
| stabbed Brazell, according to Gap
| pins, and Kirby jumped on the driv
er as he fell to the ground. Gappin.
admitted that he touched" Brazell't
arm while the cutting was done.
~