The Miami times. [volume] (Miami, Fla.) 1923-current, 1955-06-18
Good Morning Judge
News from Miami's Municipal Precinct Court
JUDGE 4. c. THOMAS. PRESIDING
BY ELLIOTT PIEzE, Times s.am Writer

A mere So cases were listed for
trial in municipal court Monday
morning. Again, what the cases
lacked in number, they made Up
in general interest and sensation
aliSn.
Somewhat confusing was the
case of Mack Mathis, who was
charged with assault with a gun
on Clarence Thomas. The highly
questionable incident occurred
Saturday night at 2025 NV 4th
court. Mathis lives in apt. in
that building.
According to Thomas, he was
walking on the sidewalk in front
of the building Saturday night.
He heard a gun shot and shortly
after saw Mathis walking toward
him brandishing a gun. Thomas
added that he asked Mathis what
was the trouble and Mathis, m a
very angered mood, replied, this
is none of your business, pointed
the gun at him in a threatening
manner and ordered Thomas to
go back across the street where
he lives. Thomas explained that
he did not mean any harm, but
was merely curious to know what
caused the shooting.
Mrs. Marie Clark, who lives in
the same building said she and
several children were coming
down stairs when she heard the
shot. She added that she pushed
the children to the ground and
that she herself crawled under the
stairway. She explained that she
did not know what was happen
ing, but wasn't taking any
chances.
A total of six witnesses testifi-
ed during the hearing, each one
giving a different version of what
happened.
In his defense Mathis told the
court that he was in his apart
ment counting a sum of money
when suddenly three men, whom
he did not know rushed in and
attempted to overpoWer him and
take his money. He declared he
grabbed his gun and began to
tuSSle with one of the men and
that the gun went off accidentally
but no one was hurt. The men,
according to Mathis, ran out of
the apartment and dashed away
in a car which was parked out
side. Mathis admitted pointing the
gun at Thomas and Frightening
Mrs. Clark and the children but
declared it all happened as a re-
suit of his being angered and
emotionally upset over those three
men trying TO take his money. He
apologized to all concerned.
Officers j. Harrington and c.
Anderson said they received call
to go to the apartment in ques-
ton and arrested Mathis. After a
bit of timely advice Judge Thorn
as dismissed the case and return
ed Mathis gun to him.
Another case which captured
the attention of the entire court
room, was that of Robert Jones of
SONOAAAb 6AONC, WIZ was Nlld1 ECN
with window peeping. Coley An
derson of 1929 Douglas Road was
the chief complainant against
Jones.
Anderson told the court that he
caught Jones peeping in his win
dow Saturday night while he and
his wife had retired for the night.
Anderson added that he jumped
up, grabbed his gun and ran Jones
down while wearing only pajamas,
caught him on Day ave. just off
Douglas road and brought Jones
back to his home and held him
there until the police arrived.
Jones denied that he was peep
ing in Anderson'S window, de-
claring that he was standing at a
bus stop when Anderson came UP
to him brandishing gun. Jones
admitted that he surrended to