Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-02-24
WALTER WADE'S.
ALLEGED SLAYER
MAY Be PAROLED

The prison commission on Thurs
day transmitted to Governor Hard
wick a recommendation that Warren
L. Johnson and c., K. Chapman, who
are serving, life terms at the state
prison farm for the murder of
Walter Wade at Americas in August,
1916, be paroled.
The killing of Wade created a
sensation at Americas. The trial
of Johnson and Chapman was writ
ten up extensively in newspapers
over the state. Several others were
indicted but the cases against them
were nol-prossed.
Direct testimony, on which the
conviction mainly hinged, was given
against Johnson and Chapman by a
woman named Mrs. Yeartie Howell
The prison commission, in a state
ment of their reasons for recon-
mending a parole, say this witness
lis acknowledged to have been a
woman of bad reputation"
Case Appealed Twice
Johnson was a railroad detective
and Chapman was a dentist in
Americas They carried their cases
to the supreme court twice and lost
both times, these appeals covering
a period of two years during which
they stayed in Jail in Americas.
They. commenced serving their SEN
fences in December, 1918. -
The commissions statement fol-
lows:
Warren J.. Johnson, c. K. Chap
man and others were indicted in
Sumter superior court for the muir
der OF Walter Wade. The homicide
occurred on the night of August
II, 1916. The Indictment was mol
pressed as to all tho defendants eX-
cept Warren I. Johnson and c. K.
Chapman. On their trial they were
convicted of murder and given a
life sentence.
1.-The evidence for the state was
the direct evidence of Mrs. Yeartie
Howell, which was corroborated. as
the state commended, by various Cir
cumstances. The defendants denied
their guilt and sought to prove ali.
bis. The alibi of Johnson was com
plete if the jury had accepted it.
Also there was lack of motive
shown on the part of Johnson, un-
less it was the motive of robbery
or a willingness to aid his confed
crates.
Mrs. Yertie Howell is acknowl
edged to have been a woman of bad
reputation. According to her testi-
mony, oil of these defendants got
Walter Wade into a car and drove
from a house of prostitution in
Americas out towards Montezuma,
and when they got just out of town
at a point known as WheatIy bot
toms, DR.. Chapman shot Wade and
his body was put in another car
and carried to Flynt river bridge at
Montezuma and thrown in the river
Her testimony was corroborated in
many particulars.
Testimony Attacked
. THE defense introduced much
evidence tending to impeach Mrs.
Howell, both as to reputation and
previous contradictory statements.
They also introduced great deal
of evidence establishing an aiibi for
each of the accused.
Applicants have served more than
four years. Parole is recommended
by large number of citizens OF
Amaricus and Sumter county. in.
Guiding ministers, lawyers, doctors,
bankers merchants, officials of both
the city and county, business men
and citizens generally, both men
and women, who say they are ia.
miliar with all the circumstances
and express a doubt as to the guilty
of these defendants. There was
just as much evidence against the
other defendants whose cases were
mol pressed as against these two. -