When Superior court convenes here Monday, July 21, Judge Harding and some jury will have a peculiar case to cope with. It is seldom that criminal annals reveal an incident where one man admits a slaying done by another, yet it occurred here in Cleveland county three days before Christmas last year and the case is the most interesting feature of the July term of court. Perhaps the confessor of the crime still believes he fired the deadly shot, but eye witnesses say he did not. In the killing there is a story, and there will probably be another following the disposition of the case this month.
Another Man’s Wife
Ernest Kennedy was the negro killed. Dock Williamson admitted the killing, while witnesses say Roosevelt Young, a nephew of “Doc,” killed Kennedy. Some three weeks before Christmas Kennedy ran away with Williamson’s wife. Saturday before Christmas Kennedy returned and visited the home of Ike Williamson, on the John Cline plantation. Ike, the father of “Doc,” was the step-father of Kennedy’s wife. Williamson and Young, his nephew, were coming to Shelby when they heard of Kennedy’s return, but instead went to the elder Williamson’s home where the killing took place. Kennedy, Willliams (Williamson?) and Young were the participants and a shotgun and pistol were among the weapons used. When it ended, Kennedy was dead and Williamson accompanied by the dead negro’s brother, came to Shelby and surrendered to the officers after confessing to the killing. At the inquest, it developed that Young fired the fatal shot. Both were arrested and later released by Judge Falls under bonds of $500 each. The case was continued at the February term of court.
Believed Himself Killer
Officers are of the opinion that Williamson actually believed himself the slayer, while others thought at the time he was probably trying to shield his nephew, as he would offer a better defense than Young. When he was shot, Kennedy had Williamson on the ground. Williamson’s gun was in his hand, which was held by Kennedy. While the two were down, witnesses say Young walked up from behind and shot Kennedy twice. Williamson shot his gun and perhaps because of his position on the ground thought his bullet brought death to his adversary.
The unusual features of the case attracted considerable interest at the time, and many are expected to hear the Superior court proceedings as since that time nothing has been made public about the slaying.
From the front page of the Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, July 11, 1924
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