Cornelius Rawls, negro youth, was found guilty of simple assault by a jury in Northampton County Superior Court yesterday. At time of going to press sentence had not been passed.
Rawls was convicted of negligence in causing the death last August of two young men, Ellis Bradley and Marvin Robinson. The trial lasted two days and was ably prosecuted and defended.
Solicitor Midyette represented the State, and was assisted by Messrs. Burgwyn & Norfleet, who appeared for the parents of the young men who were killed.
Messrs. Ed. Travis of Halifax Geo. C. Green of Weldon appeared for the defense.
Many character witnesses were called, who testified to the good character of the defendant. This phase of the evidence no doubt was the determining factor that caused the jury to assess such an unusually light penalty.
The star witness for the defense was a negro woman named Hunter, who it was charged by the prosecution told a different story on the witness stand than was told by her immediately after the incident.
Much interest has been manifested in this case. The young men who were killed were well known and liked in the community and were the sons of Mr. L.J. Bradley and Rev. B.P. Robinson. Immediately after the accident there was much indignation shown because of the fact that appearances seemed to indicate that Rawls not only was running his machine at a reckless pace, but that he also did not stop to render assistance when he found that a serious wreck had occurred. Feeling in the matter, however, to the extent that harm might be done the negro died out, and the law abiding qualities of Northampton citizens manifested itself.
--Northampton Progress
From the front page of the Roanoke Rapids Herald, Nov. 9, 1923
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