Albemarle, March 29 (AP)—The State was not ready today to proceed with the trial of N.C. Cranford, former “convict boss” of Stanly county, charged with first degree murder in connection with the deaths of two convicts, and the case will not begin before tomorrow.
This was announced by Solicitor Don Phillips shortly before the noon recess.
A large crowd had surrounded the court house here, and at 9 o’clock, an hour before court was scheduled to convene, many persons had already taken seats.
An imposing array of counsel faced each other for the trial, led by Solicitor Don Phillips for the prosecution, while J.R. Price, R.L. Smith, G.D.B. Reynolds, H.C. Turner and the firm of Brown & Sikes represented the defendant.
Albemarle, N.C., March 29 (AP)—N.C. Cranford, “convict boss,” went on trial here today in Stanly County superior court, charged with first degree murder in connection with the death of two negro convicts.
Cranford’s trial grew out of the deaths of James Terry and James Howell, who died while serving on his chaingang crew in 1918.
It is charged that the men were beaten unmercifully by Cranford, who at the time was superintendent of the Stanly county convict system.
Court was convened by Judge A.M. Stack at 10 o’clock. Calling a venire was the first matter before the court, and indications were that he defense would press for a jury from another county.
From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Monday, March 29, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1926-03-29/ed-1/seq-1/
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