The Miami times. [volume] (Miami, Fla.) 1923-current, 1956-02-18
Monday. February g.

Another record breaking total
of l27 cases was listed for trial
in Judge John ID. Johnson's
Municipal Court Monday morn
ing. The reason for the sudden
excess in cases was a bit diff
cult for even the veteran observ-
ers to explain, at this season of
the year.
Sensational, indeed, was the
case of Willie Johnson Of 3642
Percival Ave-, who was charged
with assault with a gun on Willie
James Roberts of 3615 Thomas
Ave. Johnson was also charged
with assault and battery on
his estranged wife, Ethel, OF 1886
Thomas Ave.
Roberts told the court that he
had borrowed car from Mrs.
johnson Sunday night and after
driving for a while, finally went
to his home and went to bed. He
explained that he planned to re-
turn the car the. next morning.
Shortly after, according to
Roberts, Johnson came to his
home in a mad rage, asked for the
key to the car, and because he re-
fused Johnson pulled a gun on
him and threatened to kill him
for taking his wife's car. Roberts
managed to slip out of his home
and call the police.
Mrs. Johnson told the court
that she and johnson had been
separated for some time, and that
she was taking care of herself,
and living by herself. She de-
clared that johnson continued to
poster her even after they had
had a previous court Scrape. She
made it clear that she did not want
any part of him. Mrs. Johnson
also told the court that on Sun
day night Johnson came to her
home and began to beat her about
the face and body, because she
refused to go back to him. Mrs.
johnson also said that she too
called the police for Johnson.
In his defense, Johnson told the
court in no uncertain terms, that
ne knew for a fact that Roberts
had taken his wife from him, and
that Roberts had really broken up
his home. Johnson declared that
the car which Roberts borrowed
from Mrs. Johnson, was actually
his car and that he felt that he
had the right to demand the keys
from Roberts, as he did. Johnson
however, denied pulling a gun on
Roberts and beating Mrs. john
son. johnson continued to repeat
In very loud voice that Roberts
had taken his wife from him. AT
one point it became so humorous
that the entire courtroom went
Up into laughter at Johnson's re-
marks about his wife and Rob-
ertS.
Following a long hearing Judge
johnson fined johnson a total of
$125 or so days on the two charges
combined. With his head bowed
as if in grief, Johnson walked
slowly back to the detention room
to begin serving his term.
Among other cases heard and
disposed of were the following
Obie J. Davis and Tom Butts,
were charged with assault and
battery. Davis was charged with
assault and battery on his wife,
Mrs. Thelma Davis, and Butts on
his wife, Mrs. Eta Mae Butts.
Davis was fined $25 or 10 days
and Butts $35 or Ia days.
James Lawson, charged with
disorderly conduct, using pro-
family, fined $25 or 10 days.
Robert Gray and Paul John
son were each charged with dis
orderly conduct, sleeping on pri-
vate property, both sentenced to
80 avs.
Lorenzo Bethel and James
Role, both charged with disor-
derby conduct, creating distur-
bance and failure to obey the or
ders of a known police officer.
Both fined SIS OF 6 days.
Walter Woods, Jr., charged with