State's Increase in Crime "Astonishing," Dec. 16, 1924

Increase in Crime in State Astonishing. . . Total of 4,322 Indictments Returned Past Year as Against 2,753 Year Previous

Raleigh, Dec. 13—Turlington law violators as reflected in Attorney-General Manning’s biennial report show astonishing increases for 1923-24 over the previous 4,322 indictments having been made under this act as against 2,753 for the year previous.

Crimes have increased generally though the homicidal offenses have been of lesser degree while multiplying. Convictions for murder in the first degree were five for the last year’s period as against 14 for the year before, but in the same period second degree offenses jumped from 191 to 232. Onslow led in first degree killings, having four, Columbus and Edgecombe had two each. Granville, Haywood, Lenoir, Buncombe, Rowan and Wilson, one each. Edgecombe, Hoke, Perquimans, Vance and Mecklenburg furnished the five first-degree slaughters listed in the attorney-general’s report.

The whole number of criminal actions for the last year was 14,321 and for the year before 11,813. First degree murder, criminal assault, perjury, disturbing religious worship, official misconduct and violation of election laws have decreased.

Wake, the hub of the state, center of schools, law and accessories, leads in prohibition violations. The capital county had 242 for last year, against 191. Currituck had no violations for two years. Camden, Dare, Hyde and Stanly had one each.

From the front page of The Enterprise, Williamston, N.C., Dec. 16, 1924

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073995/1924-12-16/ed-1/seq-1/#words=December+16%2C+1924