Criminal Justice Matters: W. E. Coker, 1923, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From Inquest Book A, Office of the Clerk of Court, Winn Parish Courthouse, Winnfield, LA. Coroner's Inquest Over The Body of W. E. Coker An inquisition taken at Winnfield, La., on the 12th day of July, 1923, before the Coroner of the Parish of Winn, upon view of the body of W. E. Coker, there lying dead; the jurors whose names are hereunto subscribed, having been sworn to inquire on behalf of the State when and by what means the said W. E. Coker came to his death, upon their oath do say that the said W. E. Coker came to his death July12th, 1923, by Gunshot (pistol) wounds inflicted by a pistol in the hands of Marion Edwards. Therefore we recommend that a warrant be issued charging the said Marion Edwards with murder, and that he be arrested and held to answer said charge. In testimony whereof the Coroner and Jurors of this inquest have hereunto signed our names the day and year above written J. J. Peters, Coroner Mack L. Branch R. W. Buce J. D. Holmes J. B. Francis W. J. Walker July 12, 1923 Mrs. Nora Coker sworn, says: My husband phone me Wednesday morning that he was coming home Wednesday night; he said he was coming homme to take my home and my children away from me. He came home Wednesday night and we were nice to him, fixed his supper, and sit up and chatted with him till between eleven and twelve o'clock. I told him he could sleep in the room with our little boy and I would sleep with my two little girls; when my brother went to bed, he came in the room and kissed the little girl and wanted to kiss me and I couldn't le him do it; he became angry and said all those horrible things to me. He went to bed between 2 and 3 o'clock; I did not go to bed; I went to sleep about 4 o'clock; we got up between six and seven o'clock. My husband made no effort to put me out of the house but said he was going to. He made no effort to take the children. He ask me if I was ready to settle the trouble between us and I told him I was ready; at this time my brother came through the Hall and Mr. Coker said to brother-called him a bad name-you keep out of it; my brother said he was going to keep out of it, for him to go ahead and do what he wanted to, but to not fuss at me, Mrs. Coker, any more. Mr. Coker then went and got the gun from under the bed where I slept, it was between the bed and mattress; My brother went and got his gun, I don't know where he got it; my brother came back and they went to shooting. I don't know who fired first. I don't know how long since my husband was home before, but about 2 months-my Brother's name is Marion Edwards. Nora Coker Mrs. J. R. Roberts, sworn, says: I live across the street from Mr. Coker who was killed this morning. I hastened there as soon as I heard the shooting. Mr. Coker was laying on the floor and I took a little child of his head; he breathed a few times after I got in the house. I saw no gun or pistol on or near the body of Mr. Coker. I was the first one in the room after the shooting; I do not know how many shots were fired, 4 or 5 I think. I met Mrs. Coker on the porch, she was screaming. I asked her what was the matter and she made no answer. I met Mr. Edwards at the hall door and asked him what was the matter, and he said he had killed his sister's husband; he said he had it to do he was coming on to him with a knife. Mrs. J. R. Roberts. July 12, 1923 Jennie Vaughn, sworn, says: I live across the street in front of Mr. Coker's residence, this morning when Mr. Coker was killed, I was standing on our front porch when the shooting occurred; Mrs. Coker was in her front yard almost to the gate when it all occurred. Jennie Vaughn Filed July 12, 1923 at 2:30 o'clock P.M. Recorded July 13th, 1923. Eugene Beck Dy. Clerk & Ex-Officio Recorder