Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-05-27
VICTORY SCORED IN ",
VA. LA7T|MER CASE

Charleston, W. Va, May 23.-The
Charleston Branch of the National AS.
ISOLATION for tho Advancement Of Col.
ored People won a splendid victory OH
May 18th in the Harry Lattimer
case,' when it secured verdict OF
twenty years in the State Pcnitcntiary
Tor Lattimar, who was charged with
committing rape OH a little white girl
at Williamson, West Virginia on tho
TIN day Of September, 1921.
Lattilnar was tried on the Sth duv
OF September, convicted and sentenced
to be hanged on the 18th day Of Octo-.
her, 1921. lie was charged with having
committed the oifense OIL the evening
or the Wh Of September. He was indie,
Gu on the morning Of the Sth Of Sep.
TENDER; was on trial by noon, or ut
least Il jury was selected and the act.
ual trial only lasted about thirty min.
utes, and he was sentenced to he hang
ed.
An appeal was made to the National
once to take charge Of the case as "
was the general opinion that Lattimar
was not guilty and that he had not a
falr trial. When he was called for hear
Ing Ire pleaded mot guilty" without
the advice OF an attorney-being with
out counsel. The court later appointed
an attorney who seemed as anxious to
nave Iattimar convicted as did the
prosecuting attorney and no effort
whatever was made in the defense OF
Lattimar and he was convicted within
mar hour after the jury was empan
clled.
The National Office requested tho
70 f,l,
the case and the Branch, through rs
President n. G. Nutter, immediately
got In touch with Mr.. Thomas West.
VINO had later come into tho case and
haa takon an appeal and funds were
r"ised 10 present the appeal to the Su
preme Court. The Supreme Court,
through Judge Lively, in scathing
opinion, set aside the verdict and grant
ca Lattimar new trial. In the mean
time Lattlmar had been spirited to
the State Penitentiary at Moundsville
to prevent lynching.
The Charleston Branch, through its
attorney, Mr.. West, made motion for =
change OF venue from Mingo County to
some other county and the motion Mt
l1rst was overruled and the case set
Tor nearing on May 4th. When tho
case was called for hearing OH Mpy
4th, the court stated that It had chang
cd Its mind and change of venue
was granted from Mlngo County to
Wayne County.
mar. West made strong fight over
bitter opposition as we'll as severe
criticism.
His life was threatened for trying TO
save the Negro and no has been severe.
~ criticized by tho citizens Of Minco
county because Of the fight he hns
made for LattimAr, but ne did not
swerve for minute from his duty,
me case was tried on the, 18th day
or MAY and the jury found Lattimar
guilty, but brought in n verdict with
recommendation OF mercy and that nc
De confined In the State Penitcntinrv
for twenty years.
Inc verdict clearly shows that the
Jury ala not believe Lattimar guilty
because there were only two possiblo
Verdlcts-etther guilty as indicted. or
verdict of not guilty-but the verdict
was brought In to satisfy public clam
or for Lattimar's life.
The Association will take M ANIMAL
TO the Supreme Court and there seems
10 Dc no doubt rs to tho action TINT
tho supreme Court will take in the
matter as tho evidence is clearly insuf
flc1ent to sustain tho verdict, and with
ooher errors In the record, lit is gener
ally conceded that the verdict Of tho
lower court will be reversed and Lat1;.
mar granted new trial.
Ihe several trials In this case have
Deen financed by the Charleston
branch-not dollar coming from M,
other source other than contribution
Of $1,000.
Mr. West is ono Of the prominent
"nite lawyers of Mingo County Bar,
ana ne Is deserving the highest COM.
mendation for the noble fight lre has
MADE to secure justice for an innocent
man.