Mountain advocate., 1921-01-07
THE GREEN GAMBRELL CASE

Considerable interest has been
aroused during the week over the
trial OF Green Gambrell for the kill
ing OF his father-in-law, Jim Phillips
two weeks ago.
The case was called Monday morn
ing and all that day was spent i'm
panelling a Jury. Tuesday morning
the District Attorney, after the state
ment Of the case. produced witnesses
for the prosecution, the main ones
being Efle Riley, Betty Smith and
a little ten year old boy who we're
at or near the house when the shoot
ing took place.
DR.. John G. Tye was called as ex-
pert evidence as to the nature Of
the wounds which caused Jim Phil
lips death Several other witnesses
we're called. among them son of
transpired at the Phillips house prior
to the shooting. Others were called
to testify to the character of the de-
fendant.
The testimony OF the first three
witnesses was to the effect that Jim
Phillips and Green Gambrell were
seen together when still about one
hundred yards from the house. 1t
was said Phillips appeared 10 be
leaning upon Gambrell but the little
boy was very emphatic in saying
that Jim Phillips had Green Gam
brell by the collar. Phillips stopped
at the gate and Gambrell went on in
to the house in search of his wife
who had preceded them to the Riley
home. Phillips, who apparently had
been drinking. had his pistol in his
hand but put It In his pocket at the
suggestion Of betty Smith,
| GhmSteit had geae thru the house
and as 81 the msshtsih al the hack
Of the heNss IN search Of his wife.
ne tetafhea 10 III. gate shd HSked
fkllilka ''ts ssMs Ia,a q seed hans
.heNss Nhsts there ~ea h sesa ilte."
Phillips. IL Ia ALLEGED. VI sight Of
aanbfell pulled his sun 6Ut fol.
lowed him On into the house and
asked for a comb. While Betty
Smith went to md a comb a strug-
gle for possession of the gun started
and Gambreil it is alleged wronohed
the gun away from Phillips and
struck him over the head with the
butt when the shot which ended
Phillips life was fred.
Eftle Riley, the only eye witness,
stated that Gambrell put the gun to
Jim's neck and fired. Medical test
imOny was to the effect that Phil
lips was shot thru the neck and hack |
OF the head, the bullet entering the
left side OF the neck, ranging up
ward and coming out back of the
right ear.
Sawyer Smith, attorney for the
defence, asked for an adjournment
until Wednesday morning which was
granted.
Wednesday morning the defendant
was placed upon the stand In his
own defense, He told OF some diff
ferences and disagreements he had
had with deceased and then describ-
Ned the events of the day prior to the
shooting. II appears that Jim Phil
lips had sent for Gambrell and his
wife to come and visit them. On the
morning OF the day in question he
and his father-in-law took Green's |
suitcase and went after some moon
shine. They obtained two and one |
quarter gallons and returned to the |
house and drank half quart of the |
liquor between them. According to |
Gambrell's statement Phillips was |
becoming angry so he took Phillips |
shot gun out and put It behind the |
corner OF the barn. Phillips son had |
started out Jim followed him.
already testified that he had taken
1t from this spot and hidden it in
another place. Gambrell said he was
becoming afraid OF Phillips so de-
cided to go on down to Riley's and
caught up with him and marched
him down to the Riley gate. From
this point Onwards his testimony
was the same as that OF Ellie Riley.
Betty Smith and the little Riley boy
up to ths time the struggle COM