The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1925-05-15
80 OYEARSF0R
MOB LEADER
Needleman Acquitted of Charge
Brought By irresponsible
Girl; Others Sentenced


history Of eastern North Caro-
lima were written this week:
The trial of those who disgrac-
ed the county of Martin by the
mutilation of Joseph Needle
man is over. Ncedleman has
been acquitted OF the charge
of criminal assault. Not even
the girl who brought the
charge would press it.
Harris Dennis Griffin, 39-year-
old leader of the mob, was sentenc-
ed to 80 years in prison. Prison
sentences were given several others.
But here is the story as told by Ben
Dixon MacNeill in the News & OBJ
server:
Amid the walls of their assembled
families maSSed in the dock with
them ten confessed and convicted
members of the mob charged with
the mutilation of Joseph Needle
man were led away to begin the
service Of sentences at hard labor
in the State prison, ranging from
one to 80 years and behind them
closed the curtain on the last act
of the Martin county horror. The
aggregate of the sentences is 20
years.
Both the Smrrows-the younger
having entered a plea of suilty-and
Julian Bullock We're sentenced to-
serve from 6 to 10 years, and Caro
Heath for whom the jury asked
mercy two to three years.
Needleman Held Not Guilty.
Just before sentence was passed
upon the mob members Solicitor
Don Gillian asked the court to
direct Il verdict of not guilty against
Needleman on the charge of crimi-
nal assault, "the State finds itself
without evidence sufficient to con-
yict and with the consent of the
private prosecution, I ask that a
verdict of not guilty be entered III
his case" Judge Sinclair ordered
that guards who have constantly
attended him in the hospital be re-
lieved.
Again the court room was filled
hours before the appointed time Tor
convenins court this morning. PrlS-
oncrs at liberty on bond came ana
brought their families with them
and those who are cOnfiped to the
iail were. brought in early to find
their families waiting there for
them. There were tears and 'whlsp-
cred words of comfort. The wives
of Bullock aud Griffin cried audi
bly, for an hour before court con-
vPned.
First among the prisoners to DC
dealt with were two boys, Ben Lily
and Johnnie Griffin, aged 10. JudS-
ment was suspended upon them'
conditioned upon bond of S20o 10
appear i'm court for two years ana
prove behavior. Solicitor Don Gill
liam then asked the court to be
licnicnt with Elder f. {. Stone anu
John Gurkin in consequence OF their
assistance to the State In. the prose
cution. He said that he had agreed |
to ask that their punishment be
Let +. c. Stone serve not less
than two nor more than three years
at hard labor i'm the State Prison,
and let John Gurkin be imprisoned
at hard labor for not less than Is
nor more than two years,
directed the court. 1T is with re-
cret that l must tighten their sen
fences, I believe them guilty as any
man in this case, with the exception
of Dennis Griffin"
Then he read down the list, im-
posing these judgments:
+. W. Sparrow, ST., six to ten
years.
+. W. Sparrow, Jr., six TO ten
years
= Julian Bullock. six to ten years.
Claro Heath, two to three years.
Roy Gray. one year to two years
Alfred Griffin, one year to two
years.
Albert Gurkin, one year to two
years.
Lester EdmundsOn, Tom Harrell,
L. A. Groom, John Gray Cory, jim
Horton Coltrane, Clarence Gurkin,
Hubert Griffin, and A Wilson Grif-
fin to pay a fine of $500 each and
the costs in the case and to be held
IN iail until the fines are paid.
There were hysterical farewells.
Bullock broke down for the first
Tine since the trial began and
yept. Claro Heath maintained the
aim self possession that he has
shown up to the end. The Sparrows
appeared to be dazed. There were
,nsuished walls. as the line filed
,nt. and the last scene of the
tragedy had been acted out.
lbsence from his station. Summer
of NooS, uaaH ora hnninp