San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-09
ROBINSON SAYS
He FIRED THREE
SHOTS At VICTIM
Declares He Thought Rob-
erts Was Reaching
for Gun.
ACCUSED is WARNED
Former Sheriff Says He Has
Been Threat
ened.
ACCUSED is WARNED

der of Fred Roberts at Corpus Christi
on October IA, took the stand in his
own defense in the Forty-ninth District
Court Tuesday morning. The defense
rested after Marshal Hicks, the only
other defense witness of the morning
had been placed on the stand. The
state had placed eight Witnesses on in
rebuttal. when court recessed for lunch.
Testimony. is expected to be concluded
by night
The statement by Robinson that he
had been threatened only Monday with
murder or mob" if he came clear in
his case, caused distinct stir in the
court room Tuesday morning. Robin
son recited in detail the events leading
up TO the killing, asserting that he be-
iieved the dead man had a gun and was
going to use it on him when he fired.
Robinson in a calm voice described
the tragedy of Octc.,er IA, last when
Fred Roberts was klNed. 1t was about
3 10 in the afternoon, Robinson said
when he and Joe Acepo entered the War
rem store and purchased a sack of
tobacco. He had turned TO walk out
when Warren came in. Warren asked
him how he was getting along. "An
right" Robinson said he replied IL the
Ku Klux will let me alone. Are they
going to do it?" Warren never answered.
The witness explained the political con.
test had just ended.
Asked Warren a Question.
Robinson said he then remarked to
Warren "Mr. Warren you belong TO
that organization, are they or not"
Warren, he said didn't reply and he
walked over and slapped him. Rob
inson then went across the street 10
the Blake Drug store. He said q
few minutes later Chief Of Police Fox,
James Shaw and Lee Petzel drove up,
went into the store and alter Fox came
over and asked Robinson what the
rouble was mo trouble on my part.
its all over as far as l am con-
cerned." The officers then left. A few
minutes later witness said Roberts and
man named Ellis drove up and went
into the store, three or four other men
also drove up. These men conversed in
the store about five minutes.
n 81 walked over to retzel and remarked
that wondered what it was all about"
He then told Petzel if any trouble came
up TO try and keep it down. IL am not
going TO be tarred and feathered or
Ku Kluxed" witness said he remarked
and then started tward the barber shop.
Roberts came out of the lack door OF
the store and got in his car. He called
out Frank, come here and beckoned to
me. walked up and held out my hand.
Roberts had one hand on the steering
wheel and one on the back of the seat.
Then / heard shooting from the store.
Roberts moved his hand toward his left
side. stepped back and fired three
times"
Question by Judge Pope brought the
reply from Robinson. II expected trouble
and thought Roberts was going after n
gun. / had been told that he packed
a gun and was going TO use it on
me-" Robinson said he then turned and
walked across the street, meeting Joe
Acebo, whom he assured he was not
hurt. Acebo, he said walked toward
the store.
Says Aceb0 Innocent.
"Acebo never shot Roberts" the wit
ness said. He never went to the car
at all. "'"Who shot Roberts" Judge Pope
asked. 81 did" Robinson replied. How
many times % "Three." The witness ex-
planned on cross examination his pres
ence in the neigborhood by saying that
he had intended leaving for Robstown
on the train. He had started TO the
barber shop to get a shave, he said
when Roberts beckoned him. Roberts
he said was in his shirt sleeves and he
saw no weapon. He admitted he did
make an investigation to see il any
windows across the street were shat
tered from the shots supposed to have
been fired from the store. Did you tell
the people to stand back and some one
search Roberts for a gum"
The district attorney asked to which
witness replied IL :he negative witness
stated emphaticaly that there was no
arrangement for the four defendants
to be at the Warren store at the par
ticular time. Questioned on redirect by
Judge Pope as to what effect the ap-
pearance of the klanSmen at the store
had on him. Robinson said Il figured
they had come there without any pur-
nose but after me-" Wig did you shoot
Roberts," Judge Pope asked. fig
ured he had a gun and was going to
use on me-" Robinson replied. Would
you have shot him il you had not be-
lieyed he had a gum" Pope asked, L
would not" Robinson said.
In reply to the district attorney S
questions. admitted that he and Acebo
are Catholics and that Judge lyman
who granted the change of venue to
Webb county is one. Witness said,
however. that there were more office
holders in Nueces county opposed TO the
khan who are Protestants than Catho'
lies. The witness said he hadn't spoken
to Roberts since 1919. Robinson said
he and the three other defendants we're
kent in the jury room over night after
the killing, it having been reported that
They are coming in to mob the boys.
They were left in the jury room' ne
said so they could get to their guns.
Have you been threatened with
murder or mObbing II you should get
clear in this case?" Judge Pope asked
witness.
~ have" Robinson replied.
when was the latest threat:'
1.-THE last few days, yesterday at the
court house:"
Marshall HiclT Of San Antonio ties.
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