The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1925-03-27
FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM
ON SELF-DEFENSE PLEA
Willis Doxey, On Trial in Gates County, Claims
Nephew Attacked Him. Argument g
Begins Friday Morning %,

w I'LL iiuhoh NO " S>Af -S"~
County people in attendance,
20 character witnesses to
testify in behalf of the defend
ant, and a battery of imposino
legal talent opposing the single
handed fight of Solicitor Smai
the trial of Willis A. Doxey
Poplar Buanch for the frs
degree murder of his nephev
William H. Doxey on Satur-
day February 7, is on in, Gates
County Superior Court this
week. .$ "'"~
Doxey had not completed his evi.
dence when this newspaper went
to press on Thursday afternoon,
but his. counsel were fighting for
his freedom on q well constructed
plea of self-defense. Doxey had
six witnesses to testify that the
dead man had showed them a pistol
which he said he was carrying for
his uncle, and that IL bis uncle
could shoot quicker than he could,
he was welcome to 1t. ,,-,
Contrary to rumor, Doxey did not
plead the unwritten law and say he
found the nephew In compronis-
ing position with his wife accord.
ing to long distance telephone mes'
sages reaching this newspaper
Thursday. Taking the stand Wed"
nesday afternoon, Doxey testified
that on Saturday, February z, he
reached home unusually early from
his duties as march guard, and on
finding no one at home, set-ant to
find some one to cut some wood
for him. He said that while pass
ing church near his home his at
tention was attracted -by foot psintt,i
that he believed to be those Of his
wife and that he followed them
into the woods back Of the church.
A Dramatic Story
"When l had gone back into the
woods about q hundred yards I
heard u noise like some one rum
ning," he said. Then Doxey step
ped out in the path ahead Of me
and said: Your wife 1t not here
told him that knew she was, and
with that he came towards me. It
was then that remembered that I
had gun in my pocket. I ran
backward, from Willie until could
get it out of the holster By the
time l levtlIsd IL ohsNsitiie he was
about 10 yards from me-"
The witness further testified that
he warned his nephew not to come
any nearer or he would shoot.
"He hesitated moment and rush.
ed me. When he was three feet
from me l shot him." concluded the
witness.
DR.. John Saliba Of this city who
treated the dying man testified as
to the nature of the wound and r
S. Walker, principal witness fcr
the State, had previously quote
an alleged statement made by YOU
Doxey just before he died. tn
statement, according to the kitne
was to the effect that Willie Doxt
met his nephew in front Of a churr
near his home, jumped out Of,
car, gun in hand, and said.r' -;
going to kill you" William Do
further stated, according to Wal
that he rushed his uncle and gr
bed the gun, but released 1t WI
his uncle promised not TO shoot.
That's where l played the, fool.
Walker testified that william
Doxey told him. "He backed of
little way and then shot me.".
The State had half dozen wit.
nesses in rebuttal Thursday, after.
noon, and expected to close the case
when court adjourned for the day.
Argument for the cage will not start
until Friday morning, and may be
delayed longer. Five lawyers have
been hired to represent Doxey,
/r..tr - -S- r,.>