Griffin Squirms Under Fire on Witness Stand. . . Cross-Examination Annihilates Alleged Ring Leader of Mob Charged with Mutilation of Joe Needleman. . . Needleman Picked Out Griffin as Assailant. . . Salesman Took Stand Late Yesterday; Also Picked Out Sparrow and Other Defendants
Williamston, N.C., May 8—Utter and complete annihilation of F. Dennis Griffin, alleged ring leader, by State’s Attorney A.D. McLean, today featured the efforts of the defense in the Martin county mutilation cases against a mob who attacked Joe Needleman, a salesman, who was held in jail charged with assault upon a sales girl.
McLean directed a pounding crossfire of questions which time after time the witness replied:
“I am not in a position to say exactly.”
State Senator Harry Stubbs protested to the court declaring the prosecutor was bull dozing the defendant.
“A wide latitude is being permitted in this examination,” the court replied, and McLean resumed his questions.
Griffin denied on direct examination, participation in the mutilation as Julian Bullock, another of the accused, a barber, had done earlier in the day.
Griffin admitted getting a pair of clippers similar to those used in cutting the locks on the jail.
One more defendant, Clare Heath of Kinston, will present his defense.
His attorney says he, too, will offer an alibi.
Tom Lilly, one of those indicted as an accessory in connection with the mutilation of Joseph Needleman, and who shot himself through the forehead with a 22-calibre rifle, was reported by his attending physician to be in a dying condition today.
In the meantime, F.W. Sparrow Jr., who showed symptoms of diphtheria last night, was reported improved today. Judge Sinclair was informed that the prisoner did not have diphtheria but a severe case of tonsilitis. His case, however, was continued.
-=-
Williamston, May 8—Joseph Needleman’s own story of the operation to which he was subjected at the hands of the alleged mob on the morning of March 29, was a feature late yesterday.
The prosecution rested its case at 4:55 o’clock Thursday afternoon.
Needleman, calm and deliberate, described in detail the actions of the mob and the operation performed. When he first took the stand, his voice was very weak and could scarcely be heard by members of the jury. However, it grew stronger and he became more animated. Once he arose from his seat, and pointing his figure at Henry Dennis Griffin, exclaimed:
“There he is! That guy sitting. He is the one of the two cutting the bolts in the jail that night.”
Needleman stated that his captors said that they had been informed that his father was a well-to-do man, and that on the way to the church near where the operation performed, told him: “We are going to take you where your father’s money won’t do you any good.”
“My father is a tailor of very modest means,” the witness continued, but the impression had gotten out that he was wealthy. He lives in Salem, N.J.
“I knew it was useless to resist that crowd,” Needleman continued, “and I overed no resistance at any time I just made up my mind to face the music and not to bet those low-down things for mercy.”
Needleman pointed out H.D. Griffin as one of those who performed the operation. He also said that F.W. Sparrow Jr. was another that he had recognized. The witness also pointed to F.W. Sparrow who was seated in the court room as being a member of the mob.
The witness described the operation, the intense pain he suffered when he was forced to talk to town after having been refused a ride by members of the mob.
From the front page of the Durham Sun, Friday afternoon, May 8, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84020732/1925-05-08/ed-1/seq-1/#words=MAY+8%2C+1925newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84020732/1925-05-08/ed-1/seq-1/#words=MAY+8%2C+1925