Jenkins to Serve 25-30 Years for Murder of Elizabeth Jones, May 11, 1924

Jenkins Given 30 Year Sentence for Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Jones. . . Notice of Appeal Entered and Bond Fixed at $25,000. . . Out Five Yours. . . Jury Was Sent Back By Judge Lane to Return More Specific Verdict. . . “Guilty as Charged”. . . First Verdict Returned by Jurors, Judge Sent Them Back to Deliberate Again—Justice Was Fully in According with the Findings of the 12 Men—He Charged That There Were Four Possible Verdicts, First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, Manslaughter, and Acquittal

Lexington, May 10—L.G. Jenkins, found guilty of murder in the second degree for killing Mrs. Elizabeth B. Jones on the night of March 12 in Thomasville, was sentenced by Judge Henry P. Lane here today to serve not less than 25 and not more than 30 years in the state penitentiary. Notice of appeal was given and the appeal bond was fixed at $25,000.

Attorneys for defense stated that no effort would be made to make appeal bond and that it is highly improbable that the appeal will be perfected.

The jury was out on the case a little more than five hours, returning with the verdict “guilty as charged” at 5:15 this afternoon. Judge Lane instructed it to go back and find an exact verdict. The verdict of murder in the second degree was brought in five minutes later.

In pronouncing sentence Judge Lane stated that he was fully in according with the jury’s verdict and had it been for acquittal the jury would not have been open to condemnation, for there was such a wide divergency in the testimony. He had charged the jury that there were four possible verdicts in their hands, murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, manslaughter, and not guilty.

Most of yesterday was spent in arguments by attorneys. both sides rested within 15 minutes after court convened yesterday morning and from that time until adjournment for the day, with the exception of the lunch hour, attorneys engaged in arguing the merits of the case to the jury.

The jury returned immediately following completion of Judge Lane’s charge and began its deliberations. Arguments in the case were completed last night with Solicitor J.F. Spruill summing up for the state. He had been preceded by E.E. Raper and J.”C. Wyche, of Spartanburg, S.C., for the defense.

Judge Lane commenced his charge immediately upon convening of the court at 9 o’clock this morning and completed at 11. He reviewed the evidence at length and instructed the jury in the law governing such cases. Yesterday he denied a motion by the defense that the charge of first degree be nonsuited.

From the front page of the Durham Morning Herald, Sunday, May 11, 1924