Only 10 minutes were required in jury deliberation to reach a verdict of guilty in the case against James Salsbury, colored, for killing a negro named Keel.
The jury found no trouble I agreeing that it was through carelessness and wild driving of Salsbury that Keel was killed.
The verdict was returned shortly after noon today. Judge Calvert has not yet passed sentence on Salsbury. [Last name spelled “Salisbury” in headline and “Salsbury” in article.]
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The Martin County Superior Court convened here yesterday morning with Judge Thomas H. Calvert presiding, and Hon. Donald Gilliam, solicitor, prosecuting. The term is for one week only and is for both criminal and civil cases.
The docket is really a shabby affair, there being only nine cases on it, two of them being homicides. The grand jury is composed of Joseph H. Griffin, foreman; J.C. Gurkin, J.E. Harrison Jr., E.L. Edmondson, W.D. Ambers, W.C. Parvis, R.R. Thompson, C.C. Fleming, W.F. Crawford, R.G. Sexton, B.W. Hardy, Ellis Malone, R.L. Hodges, J. Henry Roberson, C.T. Emdondson, T.A. Brown, E.V. Smith, E.K. Harrell.
The petit jury is composed of J.N. Peel, E.T. Hodges, S.C. Ray, J.T. Biggs, J.M. Highsmith, Ephraim Daniel, L.F. Stokes, J.M. Johnson, Warren W. Waters, Jordan G. Peel, and G.R. Roebuck.
The following jurors were excused by the court for the term of various causes, J.W. Hopkins, J.L. Williams, J.W. Warrington, C.M. Hurst, S.H. Mobley, R.E. Early and Hyman Warren.
Judge Calvert made only a short charge, covering the general duties of jurors.
The court was soon calling the cases on the docket. The firs to respond was that of Fannie L. Latham, a young colored girl who procured merchandise from Harrison Brothers and company upon her statement that she had been sent by Mr. A. Anderson for the goods. Through her attorney, she waved bill of indictment and plead guilty to trespass. Judgement was suspended upon payment of costs and restoring the goods.
The next case was an indictment against Dick Stevenson, a young white man living near Hamilton, charging him with the stealing of a herring net, the property of George Wells and a colored man. This was the second time that more than a dozen farmers have spent a day I court on this case, the case having been heard in the Recorder’s court and a verdict of guilty was returned. Steveson appealed the case.
It was learned, after the case got underway, that the net was worth, when new, only four dollars, but in spite of the small value there was keen interest in the case. The State displayed its share of this interest in the case while, of course, Mr. Stevenson, who stood charged of the theft, was forced to fight.
Though Judge Calvert has been on the bench a good many years, it was apparent that the fishing habits along the Roanoke and the kinds of nets used wee new terms in court procedure. The State proved that the herring net had been tied up with tobacco twine, burlap twine, a woman’s garter and another kind of string. This was for the purpose of perfecting identification. Much weight was given to the garter. And it was constantly referred to in the closing addresses. The trial lagged on and it was after 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon before all the evidence in the case was in. Attorney Moore, speaking for the defendant, reviewed the evidence and stated that it was insufficient to convict the defendant.
Solicitor Gilliam, speaking for the State, address the Court, reviewed briefly the vidence and asked for a verdict of guilty. The case, after Judge Calvert’s charge, went to the jury at 5:15 after a long day of contradictory evidence. The first vote cast stood 7 to 5 for conviction, a second vote resulted in a reversal, that is seven for acquittal and five for conviction. At 8 o’clock the 12 men took time out for supper, the end being far from sight. At a late hour last night, the question was still unsettled, and a mistrial was ordered. The two days given the case have proven worthless and the way of the case, at this time is unknown.
In way of comment, the case created more interest for the value therein that has been before the Superior Court in many months.
The case has been stubbornly fought by both the State and defendant. Dunning and Moore appeared for the defendant, Stevenson.
The first case called this morning was that of James Salsbury, charging him with killing a negro named Kee [Keel?} on the highway near Robersonville. The killing was done a few months ago. The State claims he was recklessly driving a Ford car at an unlawful speed and in a careless manner while drunk, running into another car driven by a colored man. In the collision Salsbury’s car as overturned and Keel, who was riding with him, was killed
All parties who saw the happening, with the exception of Salsbury himself, say that the car which was struck by Salsbury had gone as far off the road as possible to keep away from Salsbury’s wild drive.
The case is now in the hands of the jury and with a strong probability of a conviction. [Salsbury was found guilty.]
Venire Summoned for Brown Case
A venire of 25 men was summoned to appear at the opening of the afternoon session, in order to procure a jury in the trial of the case against Mrs. Alma D. Brown, who is charged with shooting and killing her husband, Willie Brown, near Robersonvile on May 30th. The court as we go to press is engaged in the selection of a jury.
From the front page of The Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Tuesday, June 15, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073995/1926-06-15/ed-1/seq-1/
