Julian Bullock and Henry Griffin Said They Didn't Maim Needleman, May 9, 1925

Two Witnesses Deny Aiding in Maiming Youth. . . Julian Bullock and Henry Griffin Claim Alibis in Giving their Testimony. . . In Barber Shop at Time. . . Griffin Identified by Needleman as Mutilator, Confused During Examination

Williamston, May 8—The defense had its inning in Martin county superior court here this morning in the trial of four defendants charged with the mutilation of Joseph Needleman on March 28.

Julian Bullock, first of the defendants to take the stand, said that he was a barber and that on the night in question business was good.

Witnesses denied any knowledge of the crime upon Needleman, and declared that he remained at his barber shop until after 1 o’clock, in company with Henry D. Griffin, who is also charged with being one of the principals, and who was named by Needleman as the man who performed the operation.

Bullock further testified that he and Griffin went to a neighbor’s house where there was a sick baby and remained their until 3:15 o’clock, after which they went to their homes. Bullock was vigorously cross-examined by Solicitor Gilliam and denied all connection with the mob or with its actions. They declared that the only reason he had why others should have testified against him was that they “were hired to.”

Also Claims Alibi

Henry D. Griffin was the next witness and also denied his alleged participation in the affair. He testified he was a barber, and that his last customer left him at 12:30 o’clock on the night in question, and he then went with Bullock to the home of a neighbor with a sick child. He added that he had been invited to join the mob by John Gerkin, and that he had refused.

Griffin admitted, however, that he had borrowed some bold clippers from neighbors on Mary 28, but denied that he wanted them for the purpose of getting in the jail. He afterward admitted under cross-examination that he had a conversation about bell clippers following receipt of information that “something” was going to be done with Needleman.”

Griffin testified to having told Bullock about the mob which was being armed, but that Bullock made no comment on the subject.

During Griffin’s cross-examination the witness became very much confused, and contradicted his previous statement several times. At midday the state was still hammering away at Griffin, whose answers became more and more tangled as the cross-examination advanced.

From page 2 of The Goldsboro News, Saturday morning, May 9, 1925

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93064755/1925-05-09/ed-1/seq-2/#words=MAY+9%2C+1925