Opinion ID: 1688754
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Owens v. State, 82 Miss. 31, 33 So. 722 (1903)

Text: The accused was convicted of killing Williams, while intending to kill Jones, who was a potential witness against him in an illegal liquor distribution scheme. That homicide caused little excitement. However, two law enforcement officers were killed shortly thereafter, causing considerable public agitation. The defendant was arrested and carried to Oxford, where a large crowd assembled. The change of venue was granted as to the police officers' death, but denied as to the killing of Williams. This Court reversed, stating: It is conceded that pre-judgment existed in the [police officers'] cases ... Why, then did not the spirit of prejudgment in the public mind catch a new flame as soon as the public saw it had a foundation as potent in the Williams case as it had in the [police officers'] cases ...?