Stacy Gamble Shot M.C. Spry in Self-Defense, Said Jury, July 3, 1922

Gamble Acquitted of Murdering M.C. Spry. .. Verdict of Acquittal Returned by Jury After Deliberation of 16 Hours. . . Self Defense Was Plea

Stacy Gamble was yesterday acquitted of the murder of M.C. Spry, the jury returning a verdict at 9:45 o’clock after deliberating for about 16 hours. Gamble is under sentence from city court for carrying a concealed weapon, Judge Collins having given him a sentence of 12 months on the county roads for this offense. The sentence was appealed, however, and the appeal will be heard at the August term of Superior court, Gamble giving bond of $500 for this appearance at that time. While members of the jury did not discuss their deliberations it is understood that at no time was first degree murder considered by the 12 men. The question which caused the prolonged discussion, it seems, was whether to convict Gamble of manslaughter or to acquit him.

Gamble stated yesterday that he would go to Danville, Va., for several days, and that he intends, within the next two weeks, to go to Fayetteville, where he has obtained employment.

Mrs. Gene Gamble of Shelby, mother of the defendant, and Gamble’s wife and small daughter were in the courtroom when the verdict was returned. They were almost overcome by emotion.

Spry, for whose murder Gamble was tried, was shot to death on Buchanan street, back of the Huffine hotel, about 5:30 o’clock on the afternoon of May 29. Five shots fired from an automatic pistol entered Spry’s body and he died while being carried to a hospital in an ambulance.

Gamble declared immediately after the shooting that he was compelled to kill Spry in self defense and this was his plea, successfully presented to the jury. According to the information received by police in Greensboro, who arrested Gamble, both men have bad reputations in this state and in Virginia. Spry had served a term on the Cabarrus county roads, it was learned, for the theft of an automobile. Gamble admitted on the stand that he had served 30 days in Virginia for carrying a concealed weapon. He has, it seems, been in other trouble in various towns and cities of this state and of Virginia.

Gamble has the reputation in Danville, Va., of being a professional gambler, although he denied this on the stand Friday. Throughout the trial a number of men, known by local police to have court records in this state and Virginia, were interested spectators.

From the Greensboro Daily News, July 3, 1922