The Watchman And Southron

More Defense Lawyers in Willis Case.

The Greenville News says:

The already brilliant array of counsel on both sides in the case of the state against Mrs. Ethel Willis and Henry Townsend, charged with slaying the husband of the former, Sheriff Sam D. Willis, acquired two other legal lights yesterday morning when Col. E. M. Blythe and Proctor A. Bonham, of the firm of Blythe and Bonham, were retained by the defendants.

In addition to the strong line-up of attorneys for both state and the defense, the trial, if held any time this year as it now seems almost sure that it will be, will develop something of an unusual situation in that the father of one of the participating attorneys will be on the bench. Judge Milledge L. Bonham, of Anderson, will preside over the August and October terms of general sessions court and if the Willis-Townsend case is tried during either term Judge Bonham will preside over his son as well as over other lawyers engaged.

This situation is not expected to have any bearing on the case so far as a continuance move is concerned: either by the state or the defense.

As the line-up now stands, the array of barristers is: For the state: Solicitor J. G. Leatherwood assisted by Former Solicitor D. M. Smoak, of Greenville; Solicitor J. Lyles Glenn, of Chester, and Former Judge Mendel L. Smith, of Camden; for the defense: Col. Alvin H. Dean, senior counsel and his partners, W. C. Cothran and C. C. Wyche; James H. Price and James D. Poag, and Messrs. Blythe, and Bonham. Virtually the same attorneys are engaged in the case as were involved in the noted second trial of the Hesters.

The state is still expecting to call the case to trial on August 22 or soon afterwards.

Detective W. W. Rogers, of the state constabulary, who signed warrants for the arrest of Mrs. Willis and Townsend, returned yesterday at noon to Columbia for a day or so. He stated that his work here was to check evidence and to examine some after-discovered witnesses.