The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-13
WOMAN F ACES
KHAN DEATH
CHARGE
Mrs. w. A. Weaver Branded
as Accessory In Coburn
Staying.

ATLANTA, Ga, Dec. 12.-Mrs.
w. A. Weaver, pretty mystery
woman" in the Fox-Coburn slay-
ing, today was branded as an
accessory before the fact when
State attorneys announced that
an indictment has been returned
agaistt her, carrying this charge.
Was Seen With Fox.
Mrs. Weaver is alleged to have
been seen in a local hotel with Phil
F. Fox. khan editor. shortly before
he shot and killed Attorney w. s.
Coburn here on November S.
The announcement came in the
form of the prosecutors trump
card at the beginning of Fox's
hearing. Startling disclosures were
promised in connection with her
case. which, 1t was said, will
render the invisible empire"
Denied Connection.
1.-THE mystery woman" was de.
tanned In Nashville several weeks
ago and vigorously denied any con.
nection with the Staying of Coburn.
81 don't even know Phil Fox"
she declared in an interview with,
International News Service, land
I don't even believe
there was q woman In the CASE"
After being submitted to a twelve
hour grill by an Atlanta officer,
she was placed under surveillance
and two Nashville policemen were
Hnfo RfaH a. +n1n
remaining at the hotel for several
went to the chief Of detectives Of
flee and Informed him that she was
for the East.
Leaves for EAST"
Denouncing those who had been
to watch her move.
ments, she then calmly went to a
station and boarded q train. II am
going East" she said, laughing,
land that 10 all you need to
know"
Officials Of the solicitor generals
office here admitted that she ehas
not been apprehended but said
they expected her arrest shortly.
Her whereabouts were not made
known.
Hundreds of eager spectators all
set for the sensational crowded into
the Fulton superior court room
here In order to secure seats for
the trial.
Scores Of officers were stationed
throughout the large court house
while the court room where the
with special deputies. They were
detailed to this special duty ''in
case Of emergency"
Khan Factions War.
Anticipation of an almost UMPIRE
cedented battle in selecting a jury
for the Fox trial went agIimmering
when the first three men examined
were chosen.
This rapid-fire method of en-
panelling the twelve men, who are
to decide on Fox's fate, caused a
stir in the over-crowded court room.
ALI apparently had expected chal-
lenge after challenge from State
and defense attorneys.
The hearing more than ever ap-
peared to be fight to the finish
between warning factions Of the Ku
Klux Khan with Fox's life dangling
at stake. The defendant is q khan
editor of the Imperial Palace, under
the H. W. Evans administration.
Coburn was an active attorney for
the organization but In sympathy
with the Simmons faction.
The first three jurors were all that
were selected from first panel. They
were W. I. Beard, electrician; /. I.
Cook, mechanic, and w. r. McKamy
Followers Of Simmons haYe played
an active part in aiding The State
with its preliminary investigation.
of the Evans faction
Is openly in favor Of the defend
ant.
Colonel Simmons, organizer and
emperor of the khan. declared that
IL sensational disclosures are not
made at this trial they will be
shortly afterwards.
Solicitor General Boykin, an
nounced in advance an outline OF
the States case as he planned to
present it.
Just a plain case of murder" he
said. I'VE will contend that the
killing was deliberately planned and
that Fox had taken care to obtain
acQuittal with a plea Of self defense"
Witness Thwarted Plan.
He said this belief resulted partly
from the fact that a dirk was found
On the defendant q few minutes after
he killed Coburn. 1t also was pointed
out that witnesses will testify Fox
attempted to call Coburn from his
office few minutes before firing the
fatal shots.
Failing in this, Boykin said, Fox
walked into the office and shot Co.
burn as he sat at his desk. Othor-
wise, he would have thrown the dirk
near the body of the slain man and
said it was done in self defense, &C.
cording to Boykin. A lone witness
to the tragedy, Coburn's stenogra-
pher, thwarted his plan, Boykin de-
clared.
The high spot OF today's interest
centered around Foxs possible
grounds for defense. At first it
was generally thought that insanity
would be the plea. This followed
mental examinations conducted at
request of his attorneys. The re-
suit Of the alienists' work has not
been disclosed.
Motive Is Mystery.
The motive, likewise, remains a.
mystery to the general public IL
though Sta attorneys have an.
they will be able to prove
the defendant killed Coburn in
order to prevent certain disclos.
ures of vice and crime" Fox has
not talked since three minutes after
the shooting. His only reply to
barraRe OF questions bv ranOrtaro