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LCGAN MENCHARGED WITHCONSPIRACYCase Revolves Around Tennis Hatfield as A Federal Wit-nessCharleston, W. Va., Nov. 22.A joint indictment containing four counts charging conspiracy was re* turned yesterday by the United States district court grand jury against Judge Robert Bland, of Logan county circuit court, Sheriff Don L'hatin, of Logan county, aud John C ha fin, prosecuting attorney of Logan county, it was announced last night by B. J. Pettigrew, assistant United States attorney.The indictment, made under sections 19 and 130 of the criminal mode, charges the trio of Logan county Officials with connspiririg to deprive Tennis Hatfield, former owner of the Blue Goose at Barn a bus Logan county, of his constitutional rit:Jits, and to injure him for testifying in United States court.Hatfield, star witness for the government in the recent trial at Huntington of Sheriff Don C’hafin of. an indictment charging conspiracy to violate the national prohibition act, is under indictment in Logan county on a charge of violating the state prohibition law.Announcement of the indictment returned against Hatfield in the Losrnn county court was made tie day that a jury at Huntington rlt; turned a verdict of guilty against Sheriff Chafin.Testimony given by Sheriff Cha-fin in hi sown behalf while on trial at Huntington was largely respon sible for the indictments returned yesterday. Sheriff chafin Wfjjti that Judge Bland had suggested the Indictment of Hatfield in thestate court for his self confessedviolation of the liquor law at Bar nubus.Hatfield had previously testified he had given the Logan county sheriff a large sum of money as a result og a 50-50 agreement he nad with Sheriff Cbafin for the operation of the Blue Goose where, ac cording to Hatfield’s story, liquorwas sold.Carl Rigsby and John Chafin, a drputy sheriff of Logan county, were also indicted yesterday on conspiracy charges.Judge Bland. Sheriff Chafin and Prosecutor Chafin will appear indistrict court today tot answer th' Indictments against them. Assistant Attorney Pettigrem said.Tln rbr e Logan officials were In Huntington yesterday where they conferred with John Marcum, John II. Holt, and F. C. Leftwich, attor neys who were counsel for Sheriff Chafinat his Huntington trial. TheLogan county sheriff was given atwo year sentence in the penitentiary at Atlanta and fined $10,000 following his conviction at, Hunt ington. He is now under bond pond ing an appeal tlt;* the United States district court of appeals at RichThe action taken by the grand jury yesterday was not unexpoet ■ in bis charge to the grand jur\ at the opening of the present courtterm Judge George W. McCllntic cited the two sections under which the indictments against the trio ol officials was returned. While he did not specifically name any offenders it, was generally understood that his remarks i the jury were aimed at the Logan county men.In passing sentence on Sheriff Chafin at Huntington the federal judge declared that the court wouldnot limit itself in protecting witnesses who appeared before it.
Newspaper Details
Beckley Evening Post
Beckley, West Virginia, US
Sat, Nov 22, 1924
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