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CV.M » lt;1Slayer of U« S. Marshal Wilson at Sopertown, Found Guilty by Jury*Soperton, Ga., Feb. 21.—A verdictof guilty with a mercy recommendation was returned yesterday afternoon in the case of J. A. Alford, charged with the niurder of United States Marshal J. Ben Wilson, of Savannah. The jury was out half an hour. .......iUnder the law' Judge Graham was compelled ta heed the jury’s recoin-mendation and sentence Alford to life imprisonment in the penitentiary.It has not been yet determined when an appeal will be taken but it is supposed that the defense will fight the case through the Appelate Court.Young Alford, who was with his | father when Uncle Ben” Wilson was killed, will probably be placed on trial i today.The taking of evidence was finished yesterday and arguments weremade to the jury. The trial was coh- % '(eluded shortly after noon. It was generally believed that the jury would reach an agreement without delay as the prosecution made out a clear cage of unjustifiable homicide. - - -......Old man Alford made a statement the only evidence that was put in by the defense. He admitted that he shot Officer Wilson but claimed that he acted in self-defense. He said he did not knovfy who the officer was when he went to his home on the night of the tragedy, that the officer had his pistol in his hand and told the defendant he had to go back to Savannah.It was clearly established, however that Officer Wilson did not draw his weapon before be was shot, and that he was most indulgent with the prisoner.. Alford was wanted on thecharge of “moonshining.” The officer■*had the warrant and, accompanied by Deputy Sheriff H. H. Adams, called at Alford’s home early in the eveningII!%IS%sand placed him under, a/re^t,.Alford was allowed to go back intohis home unattended by the officer to get ready for the trip to Savannah. When he reappeaed hb was armed and opened fire upon the officers. The son fired a shot Bitting dfficer Adams.Mr. Boykin Harrison, ,of Coolidge, was among the prominent visitors in the city today.
Newspaper Details
Thomasville Daily Times Enterprise
Thomasville, Georgia, US
Fri, Feb 21, 1919
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Marshals M.
AR, USA 08 Mar 2017
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