Richmond Planet

2 AWFUL MURDERS
Albert Williams Shot Three Times on Pulliam St.
ROBT. ROSS SHOT IN BACK ON
BROAD ST
Newel Williams Escapes---Robert James Harris is Now in the City Jail.

(Special by John Mitchell, Jr.)

Albert Williams, age 28 years, who lived with his wife at 523 Prentiss St., was alive and well when he awoke Sunday morning, Oct. 2, but was dead shortly after 2 P. M. the same day from bullets fired by Newell Williams in an upstairs room, just about 75 feet from his own home, at 120 Pulliam St. It was reported that the men with others were engaged in a game of chance and became enraged over a trifling sum of money. One of the bullets went through a wall and entered an unoccupied room in a tenement house adjoining.

Shot Three Times

Williams was shot three times, the bullets penetrating the chest and neck, resulting in instant death. About 7 P. M. Sunday a car was in front of Williams' late residence. In it was a man and a woman, the latter mourning and wailing over the death of her brother. His wife was talking to her as she stood by the side of the car. She said that Albert Williams was born in New Haven, Conn. As practically all of the witnesses to the affair had been carried to the station-house, little could be learned at that time of the facts in the case.

Many Persons Held

This murder took place in the same house in which Daisy Poindexter Howard resided. It will be remembered that she was stabbed to death April 15, 1927, by Josie Day, who resided at 413 N. Madison St. The latter is now in the penitentiary serving time for the crime. Jennie West occupies the rooms below, although she does not rent 120 Pulliam St. as a whole. It was with her that Daisy Howard roomed. The following persons were arrested as accessories to the murder of Albert Williams: Purnett Coleman, 411 N. Madison St.; Herbert Jackson, 1103 W. Clay St.; Blanton Vaughan, 1220 Pulliam St.; Charlie Floyd, 127 Pulliam St.; Virginia Laws, 120 Pulliam St.; James Davis, 120 Pulliam St. The remains of Williams were turned over to funeral director, C. P. Hayes.

Coroner James M. Whitfield held an inquest over Albert Williams Wednesday, October 5th, at 10 A. M., at his office. Jim Davis being sworn and deposed said, "I live at 120 Pulliam Street. Albert Williams was shot in the front room on the second floor in my house. He was shot by a man called 'Sergeant.' Albert Williams, 'Sergeant,' Charles Floyd, Herbert Jackson, Purnett Coleman and I had been playing a game. That $3.00. After the game we were all talking and Sergeant said to Williams, 'You owe me $3.00.' Williams said, 'Do I.' Sergeant got his coat and hat and started to go down stairs. He spit out the window. Williams walked in middle of the room and then 'Sergeant' turned around and began shooting."

Had No Weapon.

Williams had no weapon. "Sergeant" shot three times. Albert Williams threw "Sergeant" a five-dollar bill. It was on my arm. "Sergeant" took it and ran down the stairs. Albert sat down on the edge of the bed and said, "See, he has done shot me." He eased down on the floor and lay down and died. When I left Albert Williams dead on the floor no one was in the room. No one searched Albert's pockets before I left his room.

All this happened some time in the afternoon, between 1 and 2 o'clock, Sunday, October 2, 1927.

Herbert Jackson.

Herbert Jackson testified. I live at
1005 Brook Avenue. On Sunday, October 2nd, I was in the room with Albert Williams, Newell Williams and others. Newell Williams was called "Sergeant." While I was lying on the bed after the game, "Sergeant" said to "Haybuck" (Albert Williams), "You owe me $3.00. You are going to pay me $3.00."

"Haybuck" said, "Is I?" and got up. "Sergeant" got his coat and hat and started toward the stairs. "Haybuck" walked around the table toward "Sergeant." "Haybuck" did not threaten "Sergeant" and I saw no weapon in his hands.

"Sergeant" Shot Him.

"Sergeant" pulled out his pistol and shot "Haybuck," while he "Haybuck" was walking towards him. After the shooting Jim Davis caught "Sergeant" by the arm and said, "Don't do that." Then Albert Williams threw him a $5.00 bill and said, "Here it is." "Sergeant" said, "Hand it here," took the bill and went out.

Gave Him the Money.

"Haybuck" gave "Sergeant" the money after "Sergeant" shot him three times. During the shooting "Haybuck" and "Sergeant" were facing each other. "Haybuck" sat on the bed, told Davis "Sergeant" had shot him, then he lay down on the floor and died. No one searched Albert's pockets while I was in the room.

Charley Floyd's Statement.

Charley Floyd was sworn and deposed. I live at 126 Pulliam Street. I was in the room when "Sergeant" shot Albert Williams. "Sergeant" said to Albert, "You owe me $3.00," and got up and went to the window and spit, got his coat and hat. Albert got up and said, "Do I?" and started in the direction of "Sergeant." "Sergeant" said, "You are going to give me $3.00." Albert said, "Is I?" Then "Sergeant" commenced shooting. He shot three times. Then Albert said, "Here it is," and threw a $5.00 bill to him. "Sergeant" said, "Hand it here," took the money and went down stairs. "Haybuck" sat on the side of the bed and said, "Kid, you see he shot me." Then lay on the floor and died. I did not see "Haybuck" have a weapon. I saw no one search his pockets.