Fulton County GaArchives News.....Granade Faces Jury for Slaying of Pope April 3, 1902 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meredith Clapper http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002801 August 13, 2006, 8:44 am The Atlanta Constitution April 3, 1902 All Evidence Was in at the Adjournament of Court and Argument Opens Today—Case Hinges on Disputed Points. Theodore J. Granade, the young dental student, charged with the murder of W. Jesse Pope a fellow-student, was placed on trial for his life yesterday morning in the criminal superior court. The evidence was all in and both sides announced closed last night shortly before 7 o’clock. The argument of counsel will begin this morning and a verdict is expected some time this afternoon. Judge A W Fite, of Cartersville, is presiding over the trial for Judge John S Candler, who was too ill to go on the bench yesterday. Able legal talent is arrayed on either side and a hard battle is being waged. The state is represented by Solicitor Charlie Hill and Hon. W A Dodson, of Americus former president of the state senate. The defense is represented by Attorney Reuben Arnold, Jr., Colonel Albert H Cox and Frank O’Brien. The main issue is whether Pope struck Granade with a pair of metal knucks before the stabbing. “Two eyewitnesses were put on the stand, one by the state and one by the defendant, and their statements were in direct conflict. The state is making out its case on the line that the killing was unprovoked and that Pope was unarmed at the time of the stabbing. To prove this they rely principally on the eyewitness; on the dying declaration Pope and on the search of the clothing of Pope which, it is claimed failed to reveal any weapon. Self-Dense Claimed. On the other hand the defense is claiming self-dense. It is contended that Pope was the larger man of the two, that he struck Granade with a pair of metal knucks, and that Granade stabbed him in order to protect his own life. The following is a list of the twelve men who are to determine the fate of the prisoner. G. N. Meacham, J A Rawlings, Joe Miller, L B Stroup, R A Fraser, Guy W Kennedy, T S Burdett, D W Liggon, E L Brenner, A H G Howell, W D Greene and W H Prickett. Granade is a mere boy. He is small of stature, clean shaven, and has glossy black hair. He evinced much interest in the proceedings and followed closely the thread of evidence. He was calm and collected at all times and showed no signs of nervousness, frequently smiling and conversing with his attorneys and his father, G W Granade who occupied a seat near him. Near the state’s attorneys sat J C Pope father of the dead young man, Emmet Pope, a brother, and John Goodwin, of Newnan, an uncle. The tragedy occurred several weeks ago. According to the evidence it resulted from a dispute between Grandade and Pope at the Columbia theater on a Saturday night. Monday morning they met in the lecture room of the Atlanta Dental college and there the stabbing occurred. Trouble Started at Theater. It was shown that Pope had gone to the theater with a friend and occupied a seat next to a young woman, Mrs. Annie Grimes, and that Granade and two friends were on the row immediately in front. Granade placed his arm about one of his friends and it rested on the hat of the young woman in her lap. Pope requested him to remove his arm and some words followed. Some of the witnesses for the defense testified that Pope threatened to put GRanade out of the opera house or invite him out. It was testified for the state that Granade told Pope he would see him later. As to the fatal fight, the two student eyewitnesses, Webb and McCorkerdale, differed. The state’s witness, Webb, testified that he heard a noise like a scuffle and looked up from some work, just as the stabbing occurred. He saw Pope throw both of his hands over the wound, but saw no knucks. McCorkerdale states that he heard Granade ask Pope why he had treated him so badly at the opera house, that Pope did not answer, but squaring himself, struck Granade with a pair of knucks and attempted to strike a second time. As he did so the witness stated, Grandade’s hand shot out and Pope exclaimed that he was stabbed. Pope’s Dying Declaration The dying declaration of Pope was testified to by Police Sergeant Moon and Professor Flint, of the dental college. In substance it is At the opera house Pope asked Granade to remove his arm from the young woman’s hat. Granade said “What have you got to do with it? It’s none of your damn business” to which Pope replied, “I’ll make it some of my business” Granade said he would see him later. Monday morning when Pope went to the college Granade told him he wanted to see him. They walked away and Granade pulled a sharp instrument, which looked like a dirk. Pope realized that he would be cut and struck Granade with his fist to save himself. Almost simultaneously the blow with the weapon was dealt. Pope said he had no knucks and that the stabbing was done for nothing. Evidence was introduced to show that no weapon had been found in Pope’s clothing. Statement of Defendant The prisoner made a complete statement of the transaction, claiming that he acted in self-defense. He declared that Pope struck him with knucks and that he acted as he did in fear for his own life. He concluded his statement dramatically. “Gentlemen of the jury,” said he, “I am very sorry this happened, but I could not help it. Had I not acted as I did today I would be in another world.” When the defense first opened several witnesses were put on the stand to show the good character of the defendant and to show that he was peaceable. Among these were Congressman George W. Taylor, Rev. Mr. Parker and Sheriff Bolling, all of Alabama, the home of Granade. Pope resided in Americus. Both sides announced closed shortly before 7 o’clock and Judge Fite adjourned court until 8:30 o’clock this morning. Two speeches will probably be made on each side. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/fulton/newspapers/granadef2561nw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 6.5 Kb