Fulton County GaArchives News.....State Failed To Make Case February 16, 1900
************************************************
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 10, 2006, 8:29 am

The Atlanta Constitution February 16, 1900
Judge Calhoun Directed a Verdict Exonerating Witherspoon

Charge Was Not Sustained

Number of Witnesses Introduced by Both Sides During the Trial Yesterday Morning

The case against Charles Witherspoon, charged with violating one of the 
ordinances against selling diseased meat, was dismissed yesterday morning in 
the second division of the city court.  Judge A. e. Calhoun directing a 
verdict of not guilty. 

The trial occupied the greater part of the morning and a number of witnesses 
were introduced by both sides.  After hearing all the evidence, Judge Calhoun 
would not let the case go to the jury but directed the verdict.  He held that 
the state had failed to show that the defendant had any knowledge of the sale 
of any meat. 

The defendant was represented by Attorneys Goree & Johnson who contended that 
their client was entirely innocent of any wrongdoing, that he had no knowledge 
of any alleged sales of diseased meat. 

The state was represented by Solicitor O’Neill.  The prosecution alleged that 
certain hogs at the pen had been condemned and ordered put in quarantine, and 
that the owners had been guilty of paying off their hands with the meat. 

The defense denied these charges and asserted that the meat had not been sold, 
that several of the negroes had been given meat, but with the strict 
understanding that if they took it they should do so at their own risk. 

After both sides had introduced their testimony, Judge Calhoun announced that 
he would direct a verdict, explaining why he did so.  The trial was an 
interesting one throughout. 


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/fulton/newspapers/statefai2552nw.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/

File size: 2.2 Kb