Frank Richardson to Suffer Death for Murder of Horton

Title

Source Type

Newspapers

Publisher

Tuscaloosa News

Publication Place

Tuscaloosa, AL

Publication Date

11/09/1911

Transcript

Frank Richardson to Suffer Death for Murder of Horton. JURY REPORTS AFTER BEING OUT FORTY MINUTES, HUNDREDS ATTEND, NEGRO CHARGED WITH DOUBLE, MURDER HEARS FATE WITH UNBLINKING EYES. "We the jury find the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree, and fix his punishment at death." W. S. Patton, Foreman. With unblinking eyes, and stolid countenance, born of indifference or ignorance, Frank Richardson, the negro charged and indicted for the murder of Tom Cooper and Brown Horton, heard the reading of the above verdict yesterday evening shortly before six o'clock, and to-day occupies the condemned cell in the county jail, facing the proposition of life as it really is, and doubtless having little hope of continuing an existence on this planet for any great, length of time. Frank Richardson, confessed murder of ex-deputy sheriff Tom Cooper, and credited with making a statement to the effect that he fired at someone on Monday morning, October 23rd., at the time and place where Brown Horton, member of the sheriff's posse was killed, went on trial for his life yesterday morning shortly after nine o'clock, being tried first for the murder of Brown Hoton. As was looked forward to, the trial proved the all absorbing topic of the day, and judging from the huge crowds visiting the court house during the progress of the trial was one of the most interesting affairs of its kind ever held in this county. When the morning session of the court was opened at nine o'clock, the big room was comfortably filled with spectators on hand for the purpose of watching the wheels of justice grind in regard to this particular case. During the morning session and in the early afternoon, this crowd was greatly augmented, and when the judge began to deliver the charge to the jury at half past four o'clock, every seat in the vast chamber was taken people were crowding down both aisles, sitting in windows and a number were forced to stand in the hallway. The huge assemblage was orderly throughout the progress of the trial, seeming at times to hang on the every word spoken at the bar and by counsel. The Morning Session. The morning session for the most part was given over to the selection of a jury, which proved the hardest part of the day's proceedings. The full jury not being secured until twelve o'clock. Eighty six names were used from which to select the jury counsel for both State and defense exerting themselves to secure an unprejudiced jury. A few minutes past the noon hour, the prosecuting attorney stated the case to the jury counsel for the defense entering a plea of not guilty to the charge of murder as charged. Mr. J. W. Carson was the first witness offered by the state, he testifying to the issuance of the warrant against Richardson for the murder, of Tom Cooper. This first question brought forth objection from counsel for the defense which was promptly over ruled by Judge Foster. Sheriff Palmer was then placed on the stand, his testimony dealing with receiving the warrant and the subsequent search for the negro on that specific charge. He also testified as to conversation had with the negro Richardson after his arrest, concerning the killing of Brown Horton. He could not say positively that the rifle offered by the State in evidence was that belonging to Richardson but produced cartridges taken from the gun in question along with the empty shell from which the State offered the ball went killing Horton. He said he did not specially deputise Horton as deputy. Mr. Jack Cooper, father of Tom Cooper, also killed by the negro, then went on the stand and testified that the rifle did belong to Richardson. Fletcher Powers, an eyewitness to the killing of Brown Horton, then went on the stand and testified to the circumstances leading up to the killing. He said the only word spoken by Mr. Horton were "Hold up, your hands", after which the shooting commenced, the party commanded to hold up his hands shooting first. He testified that he could not identify the party doing the shooting, further that he was the one to, find the empty shell offered in evidence, shell being found about 300, yards from point where Mr. Horton was killed. On cross examination he was asked to tell how the members of the posse were armed and whether there were not other rifles, in the party. To this he said he was not sure who had rifles and who had shot guns. Deputy Sheriff Hamby was then placed on the stand and testified to the position of the posse at the time of the killing of Mr. Horton, he also testified as to the armament carried by the men in the party. Mr. A. Finch Robertson, another member of the posse with Mr. Powers at the time of the shooting of Mr. Horton, also testified concerning the killing and subsequent events. Ex-deputy sheriff R. C. Cornell testified to conversation had with, the negro after his capture, he being in the party bringing him to Tuscaloosa. The State then rested its case, and the Judge announced a recess until two thirty, at which time, the defense offered testimony purporting to the character of the negro. Messrs. Williamson, Tom Powell,, John O. White, M. P. Mealer and, Thos. W. Christian all testifying that the negro's character was very good. With this testimony the defense rested, the state offering nothing in rebuttal. Mr. Fleetwood Rice opened the, arguments for the State, being followed by Messrs. J. P. Vandevoort, and Jas. Rice for the defense, Mr, W. B. Oliver closing for the state. At half past four Judge Foster began delivering the charge to the jury which was heard with more than passing interest, the jury taking the, I, case in hand at 4:55. The crowd showed no disposition to leave setting itself to await a verdict which was rendered forty minutes after the jury had retired, the time being 5:45. With special calmness the negro heard the death penalty meted out to him by the twelve selected to try his case, a few minutes after departing for the county jail, manacled and under heavy guard. He is in the condemned cell at the county jail from which place he will be taken Saturday morning again to the courthouse at which time the Judge will finally sentence him, and fix the date of him death.

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