Ashe Smith, On Trial for Driving While Intoxicated, Found Innocent after Police Said He Was a "Cut-Up," Oct 22, 1026

Clowning Antics of Lenoir Man Leads to His Acquittal

Kinston, Oct. 21—Ash Smith found two perfectly good defense witnesses in Kinston policemen who testified in his case in Superior court here recently. He was arrested at Pink Hill on a charge of driving an automobile while intoxicated.

The policemen, called to the stand, declared they knew the defendant and he was such a “cut-up” one could never tell whether he was sober or drunk.

The jury heard the testimony without cracking a smile, then went out and arrived at a verdict of not guilty. Smith was the only defendant to be acquitted during the day.

Friends said he clowned his way through life.

From page 4 of the Concord Daily Tribune, Oct. 22, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1926-10-22/ed-1/seq-4/