The Wayne county superior court convened yesterday for the trial of both civil and criminal cases, with Judge Midyette presiding. The greatest part of the day was taken up with the case of the State vs. Will Hamilton, colored, for driving an automobile while under the influence of whiskey.
On February 28, 1924, Hamilton collided with Mr. C.E. Henderson, a white man, on the Mount Olive Highway. Mr. Henderson was coming toward Goldsboro, while Hamilton was going toward Mount Olive. Mr. Henderson was accompanied by is wife and child, and it is said that the child was thrown out of the car, but was not seriously hurt.
No whiskey was found in the car driven by Hamilton, but a half-gallon jug was found in the automobile that smelled of whiskey. On the side of the road, a few yards away, another empty jug was found.
Mr. Henderson stated that when he saw Hamilton coming toward him he noticed that the negro’s car was zigzagging somewhat, and that he struck him as he was coming around a curve.
At 4:30 the jury was charged by Judge Midyette, and in 15 minutes a verdict of “guilty” was returned. Sentence has not been pronounced as yet, but Hamilton will probably be sentenced some time today.
Other cases tried during the afternoon were those of Buster Hawkins, charged with house burglary, and Annie Meekins, charged with selling whiskey. A few other cases were postponed until the August term of court.
Buster Hawkins, charged with breaking into the home of B.R. King, of this city, was not given a definite sentence. He pled guilty, and will probably be sentenced sometime today. Annie Meekins was given a suspended sentence of 12 months, this being her first offense.
From the front page of The Goldsboro News, Tuesday, May 27, 1924
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