“It wuz ‘n accident, yo’ honor,” declared John Jones when he took the stand in his own defense in recorder’s court Tuesday morning on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, it being alleged that he shot at another negro.
“It was a six months’ accident,” said Recorder Harriss by way of modification, and Clerk A.L. Meyland made a notation of “guilty, six months on the county roads,” after Jones’ name in the minutes. Jones started serving his sentence yesterday.
However, that was but one of the 43 cases which the recorder and his court officers struggled Tuesday morning, the court facing one of the heaviest dockets in its history.
A negro sporting the distinguished title of “John Wesley,” was called on a charge of violating prohibition laws. “Four months on the roads,” was the verdict in his case.
Defendants in most of the other cases got fines. Malical McFadden pleaded guilty to a charge of carrying concealed weapons and a $50 fine with the costs was assessed against him.
C.A. Rice, white, charged with shooting within the city, was found guilty and fined $10. J.D. Riggs, white, carrying concealed weapons, $25 and costs. Herbert Jordan, negro, carrying concealed weapons, $50 and costs. Jason Capeheart, assault with a deadly weapon continued to January 3, bond of $500.
Four were fined $10 and costs for speeding: S.L. Crowler, S.H. Hill, Joseph W. Little, and John Williams, negro.
Scott Bradley and Leo Boyd, negroes, were brought before the recorder on charges of affray, growing out of a fight said to have taken place at a negro dance hall Monday evening. Boyd was found not guilty, while Bradley was held entirely responsible for the affair and he drew a $5 and costs judgment, together with a $10 and costs assessment upon being found guilty of assault on a female.
N. Washington, D. Washington, Willie Smith, Calvin Kelley, D.L. Sidbury, Steve Nixon and Albert Harriss, all charged with gambling, were found guilty and their cases were continued for 12 months on a promise of good behavior, except in the case of D.L. Sidbury, who in addition to paying the costs of his trial must not be convicted of gambling again in two years if he would avoid the serving of a 30-day sentence handed down by Judge Harriss yesterday morning.
From the Wilmington Morning Star, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1921
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