Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1934-08-31
PAUL VESSELS
GETS LIFE TERM
in COARD CASE
Sentenced For Murder Which
Took Place At Greenbush
On August 2Sth
PLEA OF INSANITY
SET UP BY DEFENSE

A case of much interest was tried
last week at the special session Of
Accomack County Court, involving
charge of murder against Paul w.
Vessels, his victim being w. Dewey
Coard and the crime it is said took
place in the store of J. S. Matthias
at Greenbush, about one o'clock on
Saturday, July %. According to those
close to the young men, fued had
existed between them for some time.
Coard was 35 years of age, and Wes-
sells is 81.
1t was reported by those in J. S.
Matthias store at the time that Coard
had come to the store on Saturday
afternoon and had chatted with Gar
land Evans, clerk, and James Lewis
who happened TO be in the store at
the time. COard, it was stated, was
sitting on chair in the store, lean
ing against a post, when Paul Wes-
sells came into the building, walked
through and left Immediately by the
back door. VESSELS, it is alleged
again entered the store by the front
door and as he reached the spot where
Coard was sitting struck him two or
more times with the handle Of wire
stretcher. Coard lived only a short
time thereafter.
The two men had been close friends
for long time and remained so I'M
til about year ago when Coard
and Vessels had fight and the lat
ter warranted Coard which resulted in
Coard paying fine of $40 and costs,
and VESSELS being held to a peace
bond.
The case was tried before Judge
John Z. Nottingham Of the local court
1t was but short time Wednesday
morning, after the Grand Jury brought
in true bill, before the care opened
The prosecution was in the hands Of
Commonwealth Attorney, Fl. Ames
Drummond, who was assisted by for
mer Senator George L. Doughty.
Vessels was defended by former
Senator G. Walter Mapp, J. Brooks
Mapp and Herbert Barnes.
The lawyers for the defense claim
ed that Vessels was deranged, and
one of their chief witnesses during the
last two days was DR.. J. K. Hall of
Westbrook Sanatorium, who declared
that Vessels was mentally unbalan-
ced at the time of the act and that
also he was insane at the time of the
trial.
The prosecution made a vigorous
attempt to show that Vessels was
normal and that he deliberately took
Coard's life. Their chief witnesses
were Ralph Matthias, James Lewis
and Page Watkinson.
Both sides in the case were ably
represented and the court house was
filled to capacity.
Paul Vessels who was on the stand
Wednesday was cool throughout the
questioning. He was calm and DELHI
crate.
The jury after deliberation brought
in a verdict of guilty of first degree
murder land the prisoner was SEN
fenced to a term of Imprisonment for
the remainder of his natural life. The
defendant, by his attorneys, moved the
court set aside the verdict and grant
him a new trial on the ground that
said verdict was contrary to the law
and the evidence This was argued
on Monday, August 9th and refused
by the Judge. Thereupon judgment
was suspended for sixty days for the
defense lawyers to take an appeal.
On Monday, August 81 the case Of
the Commonwealth VS.. Esley Mock for
the murder of Willie Young was
heard, which resulted in the defendant
being sentenced to life Imprisonment
in the State penitentiary. Also, the
Commonwealth VS.. Rose Lecato for
the murder of Sidney LeCato. Rose
Lecato was sentenced to serve twenty
years in the penitentiary. An appeal
was noted and judgment suspended for
sixty days. Both of the last cases
were all of colored people.
My aud Mre Edoar M;Ias ord fovo