Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Turner Case

The Register-Leader, May 7, 1907:

Turner Case Being Tried Before a Jury in Court Today.

The first non-support case to be tried before a jury, in the history of the Common Pleas Court of this county, was in progress during the day.  The case is the one of Charles Turner, who is charged by his wife with failing to provide for her and her child.  Prosecutor Follett is conducting the prosecution, while Attorney J. A. Gallaher is looking after the interests of the defendant.  About thirty witnesses were examined and the case was given to the jury, late this afternoon.  If convicted by the jury, Turner stands in a good way to make a trip to the penitentiary.

The Register-Leader, May 8, 1907:

Verdict Found in 20 Minutes.

"Shorty" Turner Charged With Failure to Provide for Family Found Guilty.

Will Be Sentenced Later.

Law Provides That Court May Send Offenders to Penitentiary in Case He Sees Fit - Another Non-Support Case on Trial.

It took the jury just twenty minutes to reach a verdict of guilty against Charles Turner, better known as "Shorty," after hearing the evidence in the non-support case against him.  Turner was charged with failing to provide for his wife and children.  He was indicted by the last grand jury, but was out of the city.  Later he was arrested in Parkersburg and brought back for trial.  About thirty witnesses were examined.  The case consumed all day and was given to the jury late in the afternoon.  It was one of the first non-support cases ever tried before a jury in this county.  Turner can be sent to the penitentiary if the court so decrees.  Sentence will be passed later.

The case of the state against Bert Roush, charged with non-support, was taken up this morning.  Roush was indicted three years ago, but since that time has been under bond to provide for his daughter.  C. C. Middleswart represents the defendant.


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