Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-02-22
WOOD THREATENED.
To KILL RIVALS,
OFFICER TEST|F|ES

MACON, Ga, Feb. 20,-Both the
state and the defense rested late
this afternoon in the trial of M. D.
Wood, charged with the murder Of
Paul Funderbourk. Arguments be-
gan Immediately.
Wood, on the stand in his own de-
tense, read d long statement in
which he told the history of his life.
stating that he had always been Of
a nervous disposition and at times
would lose control of himself under
excitement. He said that he had
loved Miss Courson, and only her
over a long period of years, and
when he felt her slipping from him,
it affected him very seriously.
Speaking of the shooting, he said
that what made him so mad was
that when the girl came to the
house with Funderburk, she would
not get out of the car even though
he asked her to. He then became
crazed with anger, lost all control Of
himself and began shooting.
DR.. Y. A. Little, an alienistI testi-
fled that Wood was Of a disposition
such that he was likely at times to
commit untoward acts.
Miss Fay Greer, roommate of Miss
Courson, took the stand this morn
ing. She testified that Wood did not
pause at the automobile where
Funderburk and Miss Courson were
sitting when he left Miss Courson's
boarding house to go to his room up
the street. She said that two shots
were fired before Miss Courson
jumped out of the car and that more
shots were fired as Miss Courson
came toward the mouse. She said
she took the pistol away from Wood
after the shooting was over.
Deputy Sheriff Will Branan testi-
fed that he took Woods pistol and
that Wood on the way to the Jail
told him that he had made up his
mind to kill any man in company
with Miss Courson and to put an
end to Miss Courson and himself.
The gun refused to work, Wood told
him, the officer testified, and this
prevented a triple tragedy.
The state rested its case at Ills
Only two witnesses were exam
ined Monday, j.. c. Moody, room
mate of Wood at the time of the
tragedy, an eyewitness, and Miss
OlGne Ceurson, Woods fiance, who
was seated in the car in front of
boarding house on Cherry street,
when Wood fired the shot which
killed Fupderburk instantly.
Difficulty was experienced in Sc
curing a jury to hear the testi-
mony, 1S, Of the original venire of
48 having been excused for cause
on seven objections made by the
state, and Is by counsel for the
defendant.
States Contentious
In a resume of the case before
the jury Solicitor General Garrett
said the burden of the effort of
the state would be to prove that
the act was one of jealousy, and
desperate recklesSness; that Wood
shot and killed Funderburk, who
was only an acquaintance of Miss
Courson; that she had formed the
conclusion that she would not mar
ry Wood and had so informed him ;
and that Wood had made threats
against her life and the life of
any man that she might attempt to
marry.
Miss COursOn's Story
Miss Olene Courson, sweetheart Of
the defendant took the stand late
Monday. She was little nervous
at first.
She and Funderburk were seated
in the car with the curtains up
when Wood returned from his room,
approached the car and asked her
when she was going in the house.
Witness said she told him she would
go in few minutes, whereupon
Wood said:
You must get out and go in
now" ~a... ..>
At this juncturc, Funderburk rep
rimanded Wood for speaking to her
in a gruff manner, whereupon she
voluntarily offered to get out of the
car and avoid any embarrassment.
1t was then that Wood fired.
fired. 1t seemed to me that the
first shot struck my ARM said the
witness. She then asked Wood not
to shoot her, and Woods reply was
that's all right"
Miss Courson did not remember
how many shots were fired. Fun
derburk and Wood were not ac-
quainted. Funderburk produced no
weapon and offered no resistance
when Wood pulled his gun.
"Our relations. We're not strained,
and our engagement had not been
broken" said Miss Courson. II
never gave him the idea that
would not marry him, although
remember telling him I did not think