The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-07
CRAVEY TEST|F|ES CONCERNING DEATH OF HIS LATE WIFE
Says She Bought Gun and He Tried to Take It Away From Her-Discharged
 in Struggle

Arguments in the case of James Cravey, 19. on trial for his life be- fore a jury in Judge William E.. Forts division of the criminal court for the killing of his wife, Bessie Cravey, were started late yesterday afternoon.
 James G. Davis, for the state, made the opening speech, after which court adjourned until this morning, when the arguments will be concluded and the charge deliv- cred. It is expected that the case will be given to the jury by noon.
 The feature of the trial yesterday afternoon was the testimony of the defendant. who took the stand in his own behalf. According to his testi- mony he had been working in Len noX Ga. and came to Birmingham m after his wife and baby June $, in- tending to take them back to the Georgia town tu live she met him at the gate on his arrival. he said, although he had received several let ters from her in which she said her people had persuaded her to leave him, and told him she was going to hve with him. The next day, he stated, q man came to the house whom he did not know, but whom he was told was D. Head.
 Did Not Know Man
 'I asked Desse who the man was and she said she did not know, but her sister told me his name and that he had been coming to the house to see my wife. l asked Dessie about him, and she said she loved him bet ter than anybody she had ever seen, and that he threw notes off the train to her.
 Then she told me she was not go- ing to live with me any more, and said, Well, l guess l had better leave to which she replied if I did not, she would
 "I told her father what she had said and he told me l did not have to leave there at all, that I could stay there as long as l wanted to even if Dessie and myself did not live together.
 
 she told me she was goIng to get rid of me- even If she had to kill me. and l would not eat any break fast. as l was afraid after the threat she had made. l then put on my clothes and went out to the horse which Mir Bishop. my wife's father was riding with the baby in front oi him, and took the child off the horse
 Struggle over Gun
 "As soon as l got the baby started through the corn patch with 1t when Dessie called to me to stop and as l turned around I saw hei coming towards me with shotgun behind her back. As she came UT beside me I put the baby down anc grabbed the barrel of the gun. and in the scuffle the gun went off, kill ing her.
 q did not even know the gun was loaded, and as Dessie fell she looked at the baby and said, God bless your sweet soul
 q then picked the baby up anc carried the gun back and put Il down on the steps and left. die not go in the house. for I was afrait her father would kill me. At time' it was impossible to reason witt him.
 q do not remember anything about surrendering to Officer Burkett ol coming to the county jail"
 When asked by Mir. Davis, on cros' examination, If he remembered tell ing the officers he had shot hi: wife because she waved at flag man on q passing freight train. thu defendant stated he did not know anything about discussing the cast with anyone. He told the court th' shooting was accidental. and that his shirt was torn off in the scuffle over the gun,
 other Witnesses
 George c. Moore, assistant coroner was the first witness called, and h' testified to being called to the scene of the shooting the morning of Jun' ls. He described to the jury the 10 cation of the wound which caused the woman's death.
 J. W. Bishop, father of the deao woman, testified to affairs leading up to the killing, and Of aIegec nonsupport of his daughter D. Cravey. The shooting, he stated was done with q shotgun belongins to him. Cravey. according to hi' testimony came to his house ths Friday preceding the Monday or which his daughter was killed.
 The state is being represented oS Assistant Solicitors James G. DaNi' and John Morrow. Luther Patrick George Frye and Blanton Higgins are representing the defendant. A large number of character witnesses were examined.