Coroner's Jury Holds John Jones for Killing His Brother Herman, Finds John Grady Died Accidentally, Dec. 28, 1921

Coroner's Jury Holds Jones for Murder. . . Theory of Third Party Exploded—Negro Stabs Self Through Heart

The explosion of the theory that a third party was responsible for the death of Herman Jones, killed in a fight Monday morning with his brother, John Jones, was held in the county jail without bond on a charge of murder, and the accidental death of John Grad, 30 years old negro, who is said to have fallen on a knife while running down hogs on the Sutton place, Wrightsville Road, yesterday afternoon, constitute the developments in the series of fatalities that have attended the Christmas holidays here.

A coroner’s jury, which sat in the case of John Jones yesterday morning at the courthouse, returned a verdict holding him entirely responsible for the death of his brother and consigning him to jail without bond to await the next criminal term of superior court to open here January 16.

At the request (inquest?), Dr. Herbert A. Coddington, who held an autopsy over the body of Herman Jones in an effort to settle the contention as to whether death had resulted from the blow on the right temple by a brickbat, said to have been thrown by John Jones, or from another cause, the belief being expressed by some that this blow would not have caused death, reported that there were no evidence of wounds other than those said to have been inflicted by the brother of the deceased.

John Grady, the third negro who has met death since Christmas eve night, died late yesterday afternoon at the James Walker Memorial hospital, as the result, it is said, of self-inflicted wounds.

According to reliable information, last night Grady was chasing some hogs that he intended to kill and in the chase he stumbled and fell upon the knife he was carrying, the blade penetrating his heart. He was rushed to the hospital where an operation was performed in an effort to save his life. Several stitches were taken in his heart but he died a few hours after his arrival at the hospital.

Acting Coroner J.J. Furlong viewed the body last night and it is believed that an inquest will be held this morning.

From the Wilmington Morning Star, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1921.