Newton, July 17—The Spencer family, consisting of father and mother, son and daughter, found guilty yesterday of murder in the second degree for the death of Ray Hedrick on June 7th, were sentenced today by Judge J.T. Shaw as follows:
Tom and Myrtle Spencer, the two old people, to not less than 5 nor more than 15 years in the state prison, at hard labor; Lula Spencer, 18 years old, not less than 5 nor more than 10 years, at hard labor in the state prison; Dallas Spencer, 18 years old, to 3 years in the county jail, with permission to the county commissioners to hire him to the management of the county home to work for three years.
Judge Shaw, in sentencing the Spencers, said they had a right to defend their home, and the fact that they were running a bad house and were sunk deep in immorality, did not lessen this right. Wherein they exceeded their rights was in the use of excessive force, and in continuing their blows after the man was down.
The killing occurred at the home of the Spencers in what is known as the Catfish settlement of the county.
Evidence was introduced to the effect that Hedrick went to the Spencer home armed with a club and was met by the entire family, who were supplied with fire shovels and sticks.
Dr. J.H. Shuford of Hickory, who attended Hedrick, testified that the slain man had received blows on the head three times during the fight, either of which might have caused death.
Defense witnesses testified that Hedrick knocked Spencer to the floor and was ready to pound him, when Lola struck the fatal blow on the side of Hedrick’s head.
The Spencer contended that Hedrick was killed in self defense.
From page 5 of The Concord Times, July 20, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068271/1925-07-20/ed-1/seq-5/
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