Jury Out on Former Police Chief Charged with Murder, May 10, 1924

Jenkins Case Now in Jury’s Hands. . . Judge Lane Made Charge During Morning Following Last Argument by the Counsel in the Case

By the Associated Press

Lexington, N.C., May 10—Following a two-hour charge by Judge E.P. Lane, the case of L.C. Jenkins, former Thomasville police chief on trial here charged with the murder of Mrs. Elizabeth Jones of Appalachia, Va., went to the jury at 11:05 o’clock this morning.

The jury retired immediately following Judge Lane’s charge and began its deliberations.

Arguments in the case completed last night, with Solicitor A.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 the motion of the defense that the charge of first degree murder be non-suited.

Under the law the jury can return a verdict of first degree murder, second degree murder, and manslaughter, or a verdict of acquittal.

From the front page of the Concord Tribune, May 10, 1924