, 1923-01-04
NEW TRIAL GRANT.
Ed HENRY JOHNSON
SWEETWATER RANCHMAN, CONVICTED
Of THE MURDER Of NANCY WALES
WILL HAVE new TRIAL

On August 21st, 1920, Nancy
Wales, a we'll known character in the
.weetwater section, was shot from
ambush. This woman died in a
hospital a few days after be-
ing shot.
The crime was committed in FIRE.
mont county and the officers of that
proceeded to Immediately
get busy and find the guilty parties.
Finally three men were arrested:
namely, Henry Johnson, Robert
Coleman and Chas. Coleman. The
deceased was an aunt Of Henry
johnson.
The trial OF these three men was
set for separate times with that Of
Henry Johnson set first. The evil
dence was purely circumstantial but
II was shown that there was more or
less bad blood between the murdered
woman and other ranchmen In the
S~weetwater country. The trial re-
johnson of first degree murder with
. life sentence recommended by the
Jury.
Henry Johnson. son of Jesse
Johnson. one Of the best known and
respected ranchmen in the Sweet
water section. had many friends here
who could moi believe that he was
guilty. A thorough investigation
was made Of the affair. which furth-
81 cocy.ccei these friends Of this
young mans innocence.
At the next term OF the district
court In Fremont county. following
the conviction Of Johnson, Chas.
Coleman was tried. The jury quick
~ brought in a verdict OF not guilty.
The case against Robert Coleman was
then dismissed by the county at
torney Of Fremont county. The EVIL
dence at the trial Of Coleman showed
conclusively that the three men
were together At the time the crime
was committed II the Coleman boys
were innocent 20 was johnson.
Immediately following the convic-
tion Of Johnson his attorneys,
Meesrs. Coolidge and Dillon. ap-
pealed to the Supreme Court for q
retrial. Following the acquittai OF
Chas. Coleman and the dismissal OF
the case against Robt. Coleman The
Republican commented as follows
e%ditorially:
Undoubtedly the Supreme Court
will order . retrial Of the case
against johnson. but in the mean
time he must continue serving his
in the penitentiary.
THE Republican feels that John
son, II not guilty. has served on
tirely too long In the ~peni,ent.ary
already and we trust that Governor
Carey will thoroughly investigate the
case and II convinced that Johnson
Ia not guilty. grant him a full par
don. and. n uncertain "A TO his
guilt. that the man Mt least be pa ,
rolled until the case can be retired
the matter left up to a jury"
This s~uggestion OF The Republican
not followed by the Governor
md the result was that Henry John
was still confined to the pene-
in this city when his father.
Jesse Johnson died at tho Memorial
here. In fact. the fight
.hat the father put up to save his son
was n contributing cause to his
Heath and also practically caused his
bankruptcy.
Attorney ". X. Greenfield Of this
,ity became Interested In the case
shout this time and no used every
sffort to place tho matter properly
the Supreme Court OF Wyom-
The result was satisfactory and
IN Now Years day Attorney Grccn-
ield and Henry Johnson wore noti-
led by the Supreme Court that the
.asc must be retired.
In ordering q new trial for John
ION tho Supreme Court stated that
he evidence failed TO identify John
non ~ being connected with the
murder IN any way.
Rawlins friends Of Henry john
ION. who has boon confined 10 tho
since December. 1890.
ire confident that there will be no
Of this case because Of the
act that tho Coleman boys were
10Th acquitted. II In believed that
he case will be dismissed and John.
'on will b. released from tho pcni-
entlary within the near future.
Attorney Greenfield 10 to b. con-.
Iratulated for the manner IL which
has conducted the fight for . re-
rial.