By Eddie Brietz
Staff Correspondent of The News
Concord, Jan. 16—The ninth juror to render a verdict as to the guilt or innocence of O.G. (Red) Thomas, Charlotte automobile salesman, on trial in Superior court here for alleged first degree murder, was selected shortly after court reconvened this afternoon after the noon recess. He is W.J. Cline, a farmer.
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Concord, Jan. 16—Eight of the 12 jurors who will decide the fate of O.G. Thomas, Charlotte Automobile Salesman, had been selected with Judge J. Bis Ray, presiding over Cabarrus county Superior court, ordered an adjournment for lunch at 1 o’clock this afternoon.
Thomas went on trial charged with the slaying of A.J. Allen, Concord plumber, on a lonely road between Concord and Kannanpolis on the night of October 26. The state is asking a verdict of first degree murder.
Indications are that the taking of testimony will be begun this afternoon. Unexpected speed has been shown in the selection of the jury and Solicitor Hayden Clement predicted at the close of the forenoon session that the jury box would be filled before 4 o’clock.
The court room was jammed and (word obscured) with curious Concord, |Charlotte and Kannapolis people a full hour before court got under way at 10:15 a.m. Mrs. Allen, widow of the slain man, carrying her six months old infant in her arms, was one of the first to appear. She was accompanied by her two other children, sturdy boys of five and seven, and by her father and other relatives. They took seats inside of the bar.
MRS. THOMAS IN COURT
Accompanied by his wife, who has stood by him throughout his trouble, Thomas appeared in the court room at ??(obscured) o’clock. He was nattily attired in a suit of light brown flannel, tan shoes and (word obscured) shirt. He was freshly shaven and appeared in the best of spirits.
Mrs. Thomas, a sweet faced woman several years her husband’s junior, sat by his side until the challenging of jurors started when the defendant moved to a seat directly behind T.D. Maness, a member of his million dollar battery of lawyers. Mrs. Frank Lowe, pretty Kannapolis woman, said to be Thomas’ companion during the trip on which the tragedy occurred, was not in the court room this morning.
Thomas took a lively interest in everything that went on. His restless gaze darting back and forth through the court room and he listened attentively to the questions his counsel fired at the prospective jurors. MANY LAWYERS ENGAGED
The case promises to be the hardest fought legal battle staged in the Cabarrus courts since the memorable trial of Gaston B. Means, charged with eh murder of Mrs. Maude A. King, wealthy widow, five years ago. Some of the best known lawyers in the state are appearing in the case. Thomas has retained the firm of Maness and Armfield, one of the strongest legal teams in the cunty; in addition to E.T. Cansler Sr. of Charlotte; John J. Parker of Monroe, former republican candidate for governor; J.L. Crowell and John Oglesby of the Concord bar, Mr. Oglesby was a well known North Carolina newspaper man before beginning the practice of law. Assisting Solicitor Hayden Clement, who is chief of the state’s forces, are Luther Hartsell, H.S. Williams of Concord and L.C. Caldwell of Statesville.
Twenty-two members of the special venire of the 100 men had been called before eight were found to be acceptable to both the state and defense. In every case, those rejected were excused because they had formed and expressed opinions as to the guilt of Thomas.
Seventeen men had been either accepted or excused before one was found who was opposed to capital punishment. He was William Auten, a farmer with seven children. He was accepted as juror No. 8.
Besides Auten there were chosen J.W. Ritch, farmer, M.O. Kluttz, farmer, W.C. Kluttz, farmer, G.L. Blackwell, farmer, W.T. Durham, machine agent; H.D. Eudy, farmer; H.W. Smith, farmer.
They are solid, substantial appearing men, all with families. Most of them had never heard of the case until this morning.
From the front page of The Charlotte News, Monday, January 16, 1922
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