The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-06-05
MURDER IN FIRST
DEGREE IS CHARGED
AGAINST CRENSHAW
Coroner's Verdict Is Unjustifia-
BILE Homicide In Case of Man
Accused of Killing Mr..
and Mrs. Weston

Verdict of unlawful homicide was
rendered by Coroner j. d. Russum
yesterday when a warrant was sworn
out before Judge H. B. Abernethy,
charging Edward Crenshaw with
murder in the first degree in con-
nection with the killing of Mr.. and
Mrs. Harry Weston on the front porch
of their residence, 1901 Avenue /,
Ensley, about $3.50 o'clock Friday
night.
With tears streaming down his
cheeks and his body shaken by sobs,
Edward Crenshaw, charged with the
killing of Mrs. Rebecca Weston and
her husband, Harry Weston, Friday
night al their home in Ensley. begged
Coroner ]. D. Russum and Assistant
to see Mrs. Weston.
The investigation was delayed sew
eral times as the man cried, For Gods
sake, let me see her" He threw his
head in his arms on the table in the
coroner's office While the man APP
Feared to be able to tell nothing that
happened Friday night except to say
he was drunk, he related accurately
his movements all day yesterday.
Had Been Rejected
He told officials that he and Mrs.
Weston had been sweethearts for some
time, but that she had told him she
n or axr al =
ever, he declared he was greatly dis
appointed when she married Weston
while he was away visiting relatives.
Witnesses examined by Mr.. Davis
and Coroner Russum stated that Mr..
and Mrs. Weston were at home last
night when Crenshaw came to tell
them good-by, saying he was going to
India. He stayed only few minutes,
they testified and then Mr.. and Mrs.
Weston went on the front porch with
him as he was leaving. Mr.. Weston
went into the back of the house, they
said. and was cracking some ice, when
his wife called to him. but not in the
least frightened tone, and whistled
little signal of their own. Mr.. Weston
rushed to the front door and just as
he stepped on the porch Crenshaw
fred at Mrs Weston and then turned
the gun on Mr. Weston.
Both fell where they were stand
ing. witnesses said. and the man then
fired another shot at each one, after
which he ran down the street
The man was shot three times, one
bullet taking effect in the back. one
in the left side and one over the right
eye The woman was shot twice, one
bullet entering the left temple and one
in the right side of the back.
In the course of the conversation
between Crenshaw and Weston. wit
nesses told Coroner Russum, that
Crenshaw had told Weston if he ever
get tired of Rebecca just to let him
know. At this point Mrs. Weston told
Crenshaw that she was perfectly
happy and contented, according to wit
nessez
Unlawful Homicide
At the conclusion of the, investiga-
ton Coroner Russum rendered a YER
dict of unlawful homicide, and a war
rant charging Crenshaw with murder
in the first degree was sworn out be-
fore Judge III. b. Abernethy in the JEFF
ferson county court of misdemeanors.
He was placed in the county jail,
where he is being held The case will
probably be submitted to the grand
jury when it meets tomorrow.
The bodies of Mr.. and Mrs. Weston
will be buried side by side in a lot at
Oakland cemetery Members of the
Globe lodge are requested to meet at
the Masonic temple at 1880 o'clock TO
attend the funeral services in body
The funeral services will be held frorl
the First Presbyterian church at 40
o'clock and from there directly to the
cemetery, where interment will b.,
made. Mrs. Weston is survived by
her parents. Mr.. and Mrs r. Fl.
Reid. who also live in Ensley. and
brother who resides in California
She was a member Of the Ensley High
land Presbyterian church and both she
and her husband were highly respect
ed in the community in which they
lived by all who knew them.
Mr.. Weston was an employee of the
wire mill at Fairfield. The couple had
been living in Ensley for about
year. His parents reside in England
He is said to be survived by other rel
atives in this country.