Clay County AlArchives News.....The Shooting of Buster Adams  June 2, 1943
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 February 13, 2023, 9:34 pm

Our Mountain Home June 2, 1943
Buster Adams of Lineville was in Citizens Hospital in critical condition 
Saturday as a result of a bullet wound in the abdomen suffered in a shooting 
affray at Lineville late Friday night. Sheriff Z. P. Jordan of Clay County said 
that Amos Cotney is being sought in connection with the shooting, which was 
reported to have occurred in the yard of Adams home at about 11:30 p. m. A third 
man, E. L. Treadwell is being held on assault to murder charges. He admitted, 
Sheriff Jordan said, that he fired several shots from a rifle at Cotney after 
Adams was wounded. Whether Cotney was wounded by the rifle shots was unknown 
Saturday. Details as to the beginning of the affray had not been definitely 
established Saturday morning.

Roanoke Leader, Aug 31, 1945:
The circuit court of Clay County, which convened here Monday morning, adjourned 
on Tuesday afternoon. The case of Amos Cotney, charged with the murder of Buster 
Adams in Lineville about a year ago, was tried Tuesday. The jury returned a 
verdict of second-degree manslaughter and assessed a sentence of 20 years.

The Montgomery Advertiser, Apr 26, 1946: 
The decision was handed down in a petition by the state for a writ, of 
prohibition in the Amos Cotney case, originally appealed from the Clay County 
Circuit Court.  Cotney, a Lineville lumber dealer, was indicted for the pistol 
slaying of Buster Adams following an argument Adams died at a Talladega hospital 
June 2, 1943, five days after the shooting. The Circuit Court jury found Cotney 
guilty of second-degree murder and he was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment 
Cotney's attorneys asked the Court of Appeals for a. rehearing which was denied. 
Later they appealed to the Supreme Court for a review of the Appelate decision 
which subsequently was upheld by the highest tribunal.

Birmingham News Nov 30, 1947: 
.... Amos Cotney, a wealthy lumberman of Wadley, Randolph County, was accused of 
shooting his pal, Buster Adams, on the night of May 26, 1943. Cotney and his 
wife at that time were guests of Adams and Mrs. Adams in Lineville, Clay County. 
The party reportedly began with a drinking bout and ended in a free-for-all 
fight, Adams was shot in the abdomen by a bullet from a rifle or a pistol. 
Identity of the gun was not determined at the trial. Testimony was introduced, 
despite bitter objections from Cotney, indicating that as Adams lay on the 
ground, he is said to have exclaimed Don't shoot me again, Amos, you have 
already killed me. Cotney allegedly replied by shooting twice more. Adams died 
several days later in a Talladega hospital.......



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