The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-27
JURY FINDS FIFE NOT GUILTY OF
 CHARGES MADE
tCoutfnucd from Page One.)

(COntInu00 rom PA&o One.D to where juries in Jefferson county is mighty bad state of affairs"
 When asked whether the state would appeal the case to the su- preme court, Mir. Beddow stated that he thought the bar association most assuredly would.
 Tt is entirely in the hands of the bar association" Mir. Beddow said, and I feel certain they will appeal because I know they won't rest with such a verdict, as too much real and positive evidence was produced at the trial We are determined to stop this ambulance chasing and restore the legal code of ethics and we will Fite not guilty"
 Grand Jury wifi Proceed.
 Jim Davis. solicitor of Jefferson county, said late Tuesday night that he did not have any statement to make except that the grand jury probe into the alleged conditions ex- isting in Birmingham legal circles. which will begin on July 9, when the new grand Jury will be empanneled. will go on just as planned.
 "The charges that large number of Birmingham attorneys chase am balances and hire agents to get cases for them are going to bS thor oughly investigated,' he stated. The fact that Fred Fite was freed of his charges will not make the least bit of difference in the Investigation
 The jury that freed Fite of all charges was composed of the follow ing men: O. D. Whitaker, drafts man; W. J. McGrail. salesman, foret man; Alex Killough, clerk; J. D. Roberts. pipefitter; James II. Half ner electrician; Louis F. Moncrief, pattern maker; P. o. BarAes, depart ment manager; c. A. Riley. superin- tendent; W. D. Burch, clerk; s. c. Hamer, carpenter; w. B. Haynie. hostler, and Cassie Myrick. farmer.
 The verdict came after testimony and arguments which began last Thursday before Judge Turner. A bitter fight has been waged through out the hearing, which sought dis barment of Fite for his alleged un- ethical practices. M. E. Morris, cleo ton commissioner of Jefferson coun ty, was linked by witnesses with Fite, as his chief solicitor of suits. Turner Give. B1,ef z 2 cAnrx.. 1
 Instructing the jury to consider each of the IA counts and two amend filed against Fite Judge Ben D. Turner lost little time in charging the jury and turned the case over to them for deliberation at 1:S3 o'clock. Judge Turner stated that ''the case must stand on its own bottom," and be tried upon the mer- it's of the testimony presented in open court concerning the case and that no outside influences should be brought to bear in rendering its findings.
 Judge Turner explained to the jury that they were simply to assist the court in finding whether Fite was guilty of the charges voiced in the complaint and that 1t was left up to the court to punish Fite if it was found that he was guilty of the him if he was found not guilty. The jury was instructed to take the bill of complaint to their room and to answer each question with "yes" or no"
 Each question. gentlemen, must be answered by a. yes or 'no'." questions where you cannot come to an answer. You cannot answer any of the questions on halfway basis"
 The first question in the bill of complaint was answered by the court before the jury left for their room to deliberate. 1t was:
 That Fred Fite. the defendant. has been practicing lawyer in Jeff
 
 years?"
 It was admitted by the defense that he had been here practicing since 1916 so the court ruled that yes" should be answered to this question.
 The other questions involving facts upon which the jury must delib- crate Judge Turner requested that they not be read until the jury had reached it's room, This was a mat ter to save time. he stated.
 The entire morning session was taken up in arguments by attorneys for the defense and state. An hour and 4b minutes were allowed to each side and each of the six attorneys in the case made speeches.
 O O O
 EtherfdEe Asks Conviction.
 Herbert Etheridge. assistant so- licitor, led the arguments for the state. He asked for conviction of Fite stating that the evidence that