Lexington, June 11—A verdict of not guilty was returned here tonight at 10 o’clock in the case of Dr. J.W. Peacock of Thomasville, charged with the murder of Chief of Police J.E. Taylor, also of Thomasville. The jury accepted the evidence of experts, who testified that Peacock was not mentally responsible at the time of the tragedy.
Immediately after the verdict was announced by the foreman, W.T.R. Jenkins, Judge T.B. Finley ordered Dr. Peacock into the custody of the sheriff. According to the laws of North Carolina, where a person is found not guilty of a crime on the grounds of mental irresponsibility at the time of the commission of the act, the presiding judge may hold the prisoner for investigation as to the person’s mind. Judge Finley set Tuesday, June 28, as the date on which the hearing will take place.
Dr. Peacock, standing erect, received the verdict very calmly, showing not the slightest sign of an outburst of joy. His family was present at the time, he and his wife embracing. Peacock made no attempt to shake hands with the 12 men who pronounced him irresponsible for the homicide.
E.E. Raper, leading counsel for the defense, asked the judge to order the doctor sent to the insane asylum in Morganton for the summer, stating that he is suffering with tuberculosis and that the Morganton climate would be much better for him during the hot weather. Solicitor Bower objected and Judge Finley ruled against the request promptly.
At 9 o’clock tonight the jury took its seat in the courtroom and listed to the reading of the testimony of the alienists for 45 minutes. At 9:45 o’clock the 12 men returned to their room. After 15 minutes of deliberation they returned and announced that the Thomasville physician was not guilty of the murder, declaring that he was insane at the time of the commission of the terrible tragedy, a tragedy that the defense admitted during the trial was most brutal.
A large crowd of spectators entered the courtroom at the beginning of the reading of the testimony at 9 o’clock, and when the jury left for further deliberation not a soul left the room.
It was learned here after the jury had been dismissed by Judge Finley that two men held out against the insanity plea. Mr. Jenkins is said to have been one of the two. However, after the reading of the alienists’ testimony these two men joined the ranks of the majority.
The jury received the case at 6:30 o’clock Friday afternoon, being out for about 28 hours.
The trial of Dr. Peacock, owing to the extraordinary brutality of the murder, has created unusual interest not only in North Carolina but thruout the southeast. It was desperately fought, both the state and the defense being ably represented by some of the best legal talent in the state. Approximately 40 witnesses testified during the trial which started last Monday morning.
From the front page of The Mount Airy News, Thursday, June 16, 1921
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