Ernest Rudisell Gets Two Years for Shooting Bessie Lineberger, Dec. 16, 1920

Ernest Rudisell, negro, was convicted in municipal court on Monday on assault with intent to kill Bessie Lineberger, his sweetheart, and was sentenced by Judge O. Arthur Kirkman to be confined in the Guilford county jail for a period of two years to be worked out on the county roads. Notice of appeal was given and a $1,000 bond named. Rudisell was charged with assaulting the Lineberger girl at Justice’s store on the afternoon of November 27. According to evidence, three pistol shots were fired, two of which took effect in the girl’s body. Witnesses testified that Rudisell went to Justice’s store, where the Lineberger girl was spending the day, called her to the front. Asked if she loved him, the girl is said to have told Rudisell that she did not. At this juncture, according to the girl’s statement, the negro said, “If you don’t go with me, you cannot go with anybody else,” pulled a pistol from his pocket and fired. A number of witnesses were placed on the stand by both the state and the defense. Attorney L.B. Williams represented the defendant and conducted vigorous cross examination. Thomas J. Gold assisted Prosecuting Attorney C.A. York. The case attracted considerably more than passing interest, the courtroom having been crowded with people. Rudisell pleaded guilty to the charge of carrying a concealed weapon and was fined $50 and the costs in the case. The pistol will be placed in the hands of the police by order of the court. The negro was also indicted on the charge of assault on Bertha Duff, but was found not guilty of that charge. (From the front page of The Review, High Point, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 16, 1920)