Thursday, September 15, 2022

McIver Burnett Sentenced to Electric Chair for Criminal Assault, Sept. 15, 1922

Jury Convicts Negro of Criminal Assault. . . Only Three Minutes Deliberation; Sentenced to Die

By Brock Barkley

Raleigh, Sept. 14—Out three minutes and a half a jury in Wake superior court convicted McIver Burnett, young South Carolina negro, of criminally assaulting Mrs. Malisa McGhee of News River township, Wake county, and Judge Lyon sentenced him to die in the electric chair October 12.

Burnett’s case was started at the opening of today’ session. The negro accepted the verdict stoically, but on being led from the court room his eyes filled with tears. An appeal was not taken and he goes tomorrow to the state prison to await the same fate that Friday will be meted out to the two negroes who criminally assaulted a Florida tourist’s wife in Moore county some weeks ago.

The attack on Mrs. McGhee occurred several weeks ago. Burnett was placed first in the Wake jail and subor?? in the sheriff's office, without the acknowledgement of the sheriff, removed to Louisburg for safe keeping. Sheriff Bryant Harrison, hearing of the removal, brought the negro back to the city, attracting considerable public attention.

Beasley Gets 60 Days on Roads

Statewide interest attached to the case of Phil Beasley, alleged “king of the bootleggers,” upon whom Judge Lyon must past sentence this term for illegal possession of whiskey. Four hundred citizens have petitioned the court not to send Beasley to the roads. Other strong influences, including the Woman’s Christian Temperance union, has besought the court to give him a chain gang sentence. In appealing to the court, the W.C.T.U. takes cognizance of Beasley’s petitioners among the “male citizens.” The defendant was sentenced to 60 days on the roads and fined $200 by City Judge Harris. In superior court he pleaded guilty and threw himself upon the mercy of the court and pleaded for consideration in behalf of his family.

From The Wilmington Star, Friday, Sept. 15, 1922

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