Youths Say They Had Nothing to Do with Ellis Hollis Death, July 31, 1926

Youths Deny That Hollis Was Slain by Them Saturday. . . Five Boys Held in Connection with Death of Ellis Hollis, Whose Body Was in New River. . . Ready to Take Case to Court. . . If Solicitor Refuses Them Bail, They Will Institute Habeas Corpus Proceedings at Once

Jacksonville, N.C., July 31 (AP)—Five youths held in the Onslow county jail here in connection with the death of Ellis Hollis, 17-year-old farm lad of Holly Ridge, this county, whose body was found in New River last Monday, were awaiting a decision today from Solicitor Powers as to allowing bail.

At a hearing of the coroner’s jury yesterday, two of the seven who had been held for the slaying were released. These were Roy Hudson and Richard Koonce, the latter a Jacksonville negro. Hudson was a member of the party of six in which Hollis was included.

The verdict of the coroner’s body was that Hollis came to his death at the hands of “parties unknown” to the jury, but recommended that Lonnie, Arthur and Jady Howard, brothers, and Leon and Leonard Edens be held for further questioning. The Edens are also brothers.

Solicitor Powers, who directed the hearings yesterday, advised the youths today whether he will oppose fixing bonds. Counsel for the boys indicated that if he did not, they would institute habeas corpus proceedings.

The body of Hollis was found in New River Monday by Dr. J.H. Rawlings of Lynchburg, physician who was fishing there. Dr. Rawlings testified to the coroner’s jury yesterday that the boy’s throat was cut and that the jugular vein had been stabbed. He expressed the belief that the boy had been killed and the thrown into the river.

The six boys left their home Saturday to attend a country picnic. They were later alleged to have become intoxicated and to have separated. Companions of Hollis say they know nothing more of his actions after leaving them until his body was found.

Editor’s Note: A non-lawyer’s understanding of this habeas corpus would be a legal action demanding that authorities justify holding someone in custody. It’s a protection against unlawful imprisonment. When someone files a habeas corpus petition, they are saying: “Bring the detained person before a judge and show legal cause for holding them.”

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, July 31, 1926

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