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Atlanta Daily World
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
What is this article about?
In Lawrenceville, Tenn., after nine days, the second juror was selected for the trial of 25 Black defendants from the Columbia race riot, charged with intent to kill Wash King. Prejudice excuses many potential jurors, slowing selection amid doubts of fair trial.
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LAWRENCEVILLE, Tenn. (ANP)
Nine days passed before the second juror was selected to try the 25 Negro victims of the Columbia, Tenn, race riot last February on charges of intent to kill Wash King, farmer and school janitor of Summertown, became Wednesday the number two juror after brief questioning by Maurice Weaver, white NAACP defense lawyer, who brought out King's former union connection with the United Mine Workers of America.
"Do you believe in equal justice for all," Weaver asked, "in the principles of your union?"
King answered in the affirmative.
Circuit Judge Joe M. Ingram has complained about the slowness of the defense's selection of jurors, but defense lawyers point out that only by the careful selection of jurymen can the 25 defendants be assured of a fair trial, which is a question of speculation in this community.
GENERAL SENTIMENT
Anti-Negro sentiment here is general. One prospective juror after another has been excused for cause of prejudice toward Negroes.
Joe Orth, young, clean and intelligent in appearance, was the first of 25 veniremen questioned on the (Continued On Page Four)
Another Juror
(Continued From Page One)
fourth successive day to select a jury He told the court that in his opinion it would be much harder to prove them innocent than to prove them guilty "
Reason for his statement is "the old story of prejudice that is hard to overcome" he admitted. A farmer, 26-year-old James Turner. doubted that he would weigh the evidence of Negro and white witnesses in the same way "I guess I just couldnt" he confessed. "I have lived here in the south all of my lifeTurner has a high school education
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Lawrenceville, Tenn.
Key Persons
Outcome
second juror selected after nine days; multiple prospective jurors excused due to prejudice.
Event Details
Nine days passed before the second juror was selected to try the 25 Negro victims of the Columbia, Tenn, race riot last February on charges of intent to kill Wash King. The juror affirmed belief in equal justice. Defense lawyers emphasize careful selection for fair trial amid general anti-Negro sentiment. Prospective jurors like Joe Orth and James Turner admitted prejudice would make it harder to prove innocence or weigh evidence equally.