Wayne Joseph Guidry, Jr. (center) continues to proclaim his innocence as he is escorted from the
Claiborne Parish Courthouse by Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown (to Guidry's
left) last Thursday following his conviction. The 12-member jury was unanimous
in their decision. The 29-year-old Guidry now faces a mandatory life sentence
without the possibility of parole, probation or reduction of sentence.
Barbara and Howard Pepper (left) and David
Sims (behind), talk to reporters Thursday afternoon
after jurors found Wayne Guidry Jr. guilty of the murder of their daughter and
Sims' wife, Stephanie Pepper Sims, in January 2003. Mrs. Pepper said,
"Justice has been served." Sims then read a prepared statement,
thanking investigators and prosecutors for the hard work in bringing justice
for Stephanie, whom he emotionally described as "his best friend."
Wayne Guidry Jr. - Guilty As Charged
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Guilty as
charged—that was the verdict delivered before the packed courtroom last
Thursday afternoon by the twelve men and women selected to decide the fate of
Wayne Joseph Guidry Jr.. It took the jury only two
hours to come to their unanimous verdict. As she had all week, second judicial
court judge Jenifer Clason kept firm control over the
courtroom, warning she would tolerate no outbursts when the verdict was read.
Obviously
drained from listening intently to nine days of testimony from 42 witnesses and
examining more than 70 pieces of evidence, the weight of their decision was
apparent in the faces of members of the jury, some visibly sobbing.
The 29-year-old
defendant, facing a mandatory life sentence for murdering Stephanie Pepper Sims
in January 2003, showed no emotion as the verdict was read. He was immediately
escorted from the room by Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown. Outside the
courthouse, Guidry maintained his innocence. He said, "I'm not going to
let this destroy my life."
As cameras
gathered around Howard and Barbara Pepper to get their response to the verdict,
Guidry's parents, Wayne and Debbie Guidry, quietly left with their daughters.
Debbie Guidry would later issue a statement prepared by her
husband, "Because we love our son, we are deeply saddened by the verdict.
But we are praying Mr. and Mrs. Pepper, their entire family and friends will
finally find closure and peace."
"Justice
has been served," said Barbara Pepper. "I can never really put it
behind me, but now maybe I can go forward."
While the jury
was deliberating, the Peppers graciously agreed to meet with the Guidrys. It
was a private meeting to allow them an opportunity to share their feelings and
to pray together. The Peppers told prosecutor Hugo Holland, the Guidrys were
honest Christian people who extended their heartfelt sorrow at what happened to
Stephanie. .
Holland said
this was "truly a tragedy for both sets of parents." During the
course of the trial, he came to know the Peppers and David Sims and described
them as fine,
upstanding, honest Christians. He also expressed his admiration for the honesty
and integrity of Wayne Guidry, Sr. for his willingness to testify, detailing
how he provided investigators with the location where Stephanie's body was
ultimately found. In closing arguments Holland said, "If Wayne Guidry Jr.
had the character of his father, Wayne Guidry Sr., we would not be sitting in
this courtroom today."
Wednesday's
testimony included former Jackson Parish deputy Scott Brown who explained how
the rope around Stephanie's feet had been placed there by law enforcement
officials. Marc Fargerson, forensic computer analyst, testified he examined
Stephanie's computer and found over 4,000 centerfold or pornographic images
between November 20 and January 5.
Fargerson
detailed the activity on the computer on January 5-6 which included golf and
centerfold sites between 8:26 AM and 11:14 AM January 5, followed by a period
of 6 hours, 11 minutes inactivity. At 5:25 PM, more centerfold sites were
visited.
Between 6:03 PM
and 10:20 PM, the person on Stephanie's computer accessed the Community Bank
website, websites for Greyhound bus and U-Haul dealers, and Kenner Automotive
in Kenner, La., followed by more centerfold and golf sites periodically through
4:27 AM. It was during this time, Guidry
claimed he was locked outside the apartment sitting in Stephanie's car all
night. The next morning, Guidry admitted he went to Community Trust Bank to
cash the $3,000 check, the last check Stephanie wrote. He then returned to the
apartment, parked her car, and walked to the U-Haul dealer.
Defense
attorney Joseph Clark argued the possibility that internet pop-ups could have
contributed to the number of centerfold sites on the computer. Fargerson
admitted they could have, but if that were true, he asked why there were no
images during the 6 hour period of inactivity.
The last person
to testify for the prosecution was Barbara Pepper, Stephanie's mother. An only
child herself, she
explained how she and her husband were married ten years before
Stephanie was born and how happy they had been. She knew of Stephanie and
David's marital problems, but said her daughter was not suicidal. She also knew
Stephanie was seeing Wayne Guidry, but neither told Mr. Pepper because he would
not have approved. She also testified that Stephanie was obsessively organized, everything had to be in its place, from groceries
to the items in her wallet.
Mrs. Pepper
said on the morning of January 5, 2003, Stephanie called to tell her she was
going to church with David and might come to Jonesboro to see them. She called
later to say she was heading back to West Monroe. Wayne had called. He had a
surprise for her. She said she would call later to tell what it was. That was
the last time they spoke. She called repeatedly through the night, and when
Stephanie did not show up for work the next day, they headed to West Monroe and
were met there by David Sims. There was no sign of Stephanie. Mr. Pepper
disconnected the internet from the computer and called police. A few minutes
later the phone rang. It was Wayne Guidry. He first told Mrs. Pepper he had
seen Stephanie that morning. He then said he had actually only spoken to her on
the phone, and she was fine. The prosecution rested.
Joseph Clark
offered only one witness for the defense—Debbie Guidry, Wayne Jr.'s mother. She testified the
first and only time she met Stephanie was Christmas Day 2002 when she and Wayne
Jr. came to their home in Luling. They stayed about six hours and seemed very
happy. They sang Christmas carols while Wayne Jr. played the piano. About a
week later, Mrs. Guidry received a beautiful thank you note from Stephanie.
In closing
arguments, Holland said, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife."
In Wayne Guidry Jr.'s own statement to Det. Sgt. Jeff Terrell on January 23,
2003, he said, "I wanted to have what [Stephanie] and David had."
Holland
detailed evidence that pointed to Guidry: 1) he was the last person to see
Stephanie, 2) his wildly inconsistent statements about where they went, what
they did, and the lies about getting kicked out of apartment, 3) how they drove
near the area where Stephanie's body was found, 4) he was the last person to
see Stephanie's gun, and 5) the uncorroborated statement about talking to
Stephanie at 6:30 AM on January 6.
The most
damaging of all was testimony of Guidry's long-time friend, Eric, and his
father, Wayne Guidry Sr., who both identified the site where her body was
recovered. Direct evidence came from Terry Coleman's testimony about Guidry's
confession in jail, his story about getting kicked out of the apartment, how
Stephanie wanted to break up, how he wanted the $200,000 to be gained from her
divorce, and the directions he gave to where her body was found in the
Jackson-Bienville Wildlife Management Area. Holland asked, "How in the
world would he know that?" Holland challenged Clark to provide any other
reasonable hypothesis that would point to anyone except Wayne Guidry Jr.
Clark began his
closing arguments with the State's "star witness" Terry Coleman,
"crazy cousin Terry," who waited 18 months before writing down what
he claimed Guidry told him. He referred to his being ruled incompetent to stand
trial in his first degree murder in Jackson Parish. He claimed he wanted
nothing in return, but later asked the Sheriff to open a commissary, so he
could get M&Ms and cokes. Clark said, "I don't believe that one
bit."
Clark brought
up another commandment, "Thou shalt not lie", yet he said detectives
are trained to lie. "Thou shalt not commit adultery" yet Stephanie
was involved in adultery. He pointed out other things he said were not credible
or worthy of believing: the facts about the rope on Stephanie's feet, no
dusting for fingerprints on the ammunition box or inside the car, no
comparisons made to mud on Stephanie's car, and no search of David Sims' truck.
Investigators
never focused on David Sims as a possible suspect although he had more motive to murder Stephanie. She was humiliating him in
public in his own hometown. He detailed discrepancies in testimony, the lack of
collecting evidence by forensic people, how white powder got in Stephanie's
trunk, and no attempt to develop a DNA profile on two hairs found in
Stephanie's hand,
He asked if it
was a reasonable hypothesis if a husband found his wife cheating on him,
staying out late, that he would begin to put the pieces together and become
outraged. If you cannot say the State has excluded every other reasonable
hypothesis and has met the burden of proof, then you must vote "not guilty".
Holland came
back, "Did I
ever call Terry Coleman our star witness?" He assured jurors the State had
enough evidence to convict Guidry without Coleman's testimony. He said the
Bible does not say "Thou shalt not lie," It says, "Thou shalt
not bear false witness." He went on to say he hoped if anything ever
happened to one of his loved ones, detectives would be as diligent as Terrell
and Lucas in getting to the truth. If they were going to lie, why didn't they
just say "Guidry confessed." As for David
Sims, there was no evidence to indicate he was involved with Stephanie's
disappearance and it would have been physically impossible for him to have
drove Stephanie to Jackson Parish after Guidry admitted he left the apartment
and still made it to class at La. Tech on the morning of January 5.
Holland, who
has prosecuted dozens of murder trials, said he usually places enormous
pressure on himself—not to "win", for it is not a prosecutor's job to
win, he said, but to seek justice. He said, "Regardless of the outcome of this
or any trial, so long as those left behind, such as Barbara and Howard Pepper,
can honestly look me in the eye and say `well done', I am satisfied that I have
done my best."
Clark said,
"I believe all possible avenues were explored and presented for the jury's
deliberation."
After the trial
concluded, David Sims read a prepared statement thanking law enforcement,
detectives, the district attorney's office, witnesses, the jury and prosecutor
Hugo Holland. His voice broke as he began, "On the afternoon of January 5,
2003, I lost my best friend. I have never, ever experienced the depth of pain
and sorrow that this event has brought about. I went through a range of
emotions, including 4 months of depression. I still periodically break down and
cry, and every now and then, for a few seconds, I experience the full impact of
what's happened, and it is truly horrifying."
He went on,
"But no matter how painful losing Stephanie has been for me, it will never
compare to what Mr. and Mrs. Pepper have experienced and will experience for
the rest of their lives. Losing the only child they had—a beautiful, young
woman, 29 years old, that stood about 5 ½ feet tall and weighed less than 100
pounds, with very affectionate childlike qualities, who never intentionally harmed
anyone, who made little gifts at Christmas for her friends, who would do almost
anything anyone asked of her—a child who was shot in cold blood, drug through
the woods, and thrown into a hole. I can only assume it's hard for most parents
to even imagine an event such as this; Mr. and Mrs. Pepper have lived it."
CBS News/48 Hours Producers Peter Henderson and Marc Goldbaum and 48 Hours Correspondent Peter Van
Sant speak to David Sims, husband of Stephanie Pepper Sims who was murdered in
January 2003, shortly after a 12-member jury returned a unanimous guilty
verdict for defendant Wayne Joseph Guidry, Jr.
More Bogus Bills Found In Parish
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Law enforcement
officers have received reports of at least four counterfeit $100 bills
circulated in the Homer and Haynesville area over the past ten days. The first
bogus bill was discovered on Monday, December 5 by Whit Perry, owner of Keith's
Food Mart on North Main in Homer. The very next day, on Tuesday, December 6,
Robert Reed, manager of Good Home Center, received a call from his bank,
telling him one of the bills in his deposit was, in fact, counterfeit. Both the
bill found at Keith's and at Good Home Center had the same serial number.
Last Saturday,
December 10, J&J Liquor in Haynesville reported receiving a counterfeit
$100 bill from a couple driving a maroon suburban. They had purchased about $30
worth of items at the drive through, then left
hurriedly before the bill could be checked.
Haynesville Officer John Barnette was on duty when the call came
in. He had just noticed a suburban fitting the description pull in to the
Starlite Motel. As he approached the vehicle, a young man took off running,
leaving his girlfriend in the vehicle. He questioned the girl who told him her
boyfriend's name was Kevin Heard. They planned to rent a room at the motel, then go shopping in Magnolia the next day.
Further
investigation revealed Kevin Heard was not the boy's name, but Tansay Harper.
According to Barnette, warrants have been issued for Tansay Harper, 20, and
Chelle Nicole Johnson, 19, both of Homer. They are charged with monetary
instrument abuse. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to
please call the Haynesville Police Department at 318-624-1355.
On Tuesday,
December 13, Homer Police received a call from Brookshire's Grocery concerning
the receipt of a counterfeit $100 bill. Officer Russell Mills responded to the
call. After arriving at the store, Mills questioned the person who had the
bill, asking him where he had gotten it. Mills said it did not appear that
either the man nor the person who gave him the bill were aware it was phony,
but claimed he had gotten the bill from the bank when he cashed his check.
Mills and Barnette compared serial numbers on the bill from J&J Liquor and
the bill from Brookshire's. The were the same.
Last July, a
number of counterfeit $10 and $20 bills were being circulated in the Homer
area. At that time, businesses were advised to be on the lookout for the
counterfeit bills. Counterfeit bills have a different feel than genuine
currency. They can be identified with a counterfeit pen which can be purchased
locally, or take the bill to your local bank.
Anyone with
information on the origin of this counterfeit money or any other criminal
activity is asked to call the Homer Police Department at 927-4000, the
Haynesville Police Department at 624-1355, or the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's
Office at 927-2011.
TELEVISION CREWS became a fairly common site in downtown Homer during the 9-day murder trial of
Wayne Guidry Jr. of Luling Newspaper and
television reporters from Shreveport, Monroe, Ruston, and Jonesboro heard
testimony from over 40 witnesses detailing the chain of events that led up to
the murder of 29-year-old La. Tech English instructor Stephanie Pepper Sims in
January 2003. The trial even sparked the interest of CBS News and 48 Hours
producers who were in town to cover the trial. They plan to air the program
sometime next spring.
Sheriff’s Office Makes Several Arrests
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey said officers made several arrests over the past
weekend. Michael Bernard Anderson, 28, of Athens was arrested Friday, December
9. According to Sheriff Ken Bailey, Homer police officer Anthony Combs
responded to a 911 call on Caney Street in Homer. Upon arrival, Combs
discovered Anderson was suffering from some type medical situation. He was
transported to Homer Memorial Hospital where he was checked out and
released. Following a check by Combs, it
was discovered there was an outstanding warrant on Anderson. He was arrested
and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he was placed
under $100,000 bond for failure to appear in court.
Anderson had
been arrested several times earlier this year. Claiborne Parish Sheriff deputies arrested him on June 2, 2005, and charged him with
failure to appear. On August 19, 2005 Homer Police arrested Anderson and
charged him with simple battery. Then, on September 29, 2005, Homer Police
arrested Anderson again, this time for simple criminal damage to property,
violation of protective order, resisting an officer (2 counts) , and simple
battery.
Moise T.
Critton, 30, of Haynesville was arrested Sunday, December 11 by Claiborne
Parish Sheriff deputies and charged with
injuring/killing a police dog. Sheriff Ken Bailey said Deputy Paul Brazzel was
making a routine traffic stop on Saturday, December 3. When the suspect eluded
arrest, the David Wade Chase Team was called in to assist. As one of Wade's
bloodhounds was tracking the suspect, he crossed the yard at the Critton residence and was attacked
by Critton's pit bulldog. Critton was advised to retrieve the dog when he first
approached the bloodhound and Chase Team handlers. He did restain the dog temporarily, but then
released him prior to the attack. Officers told Critton the bulldog would be
shot if not restrained, so he pulled the dog back. Officers picked up the
bulldog at the request of the Sheriff's Office and held him for observation for
ten days. The bloodhound was treated for injuries by a local veterinarian.
Megan J.
Watson, 20, of Camden, Arkansas was arrested Friday, December 9 during a
routine traffic stop on Hwy. 79 north by Homer Police officer Ken Wood.
According to Sheriff Ken Bailey, Woods with the assistance of Deputies Randy
Pugh and Roger Ellerbe, discovered a small clear plastic bag containing with
what they believed to be marijuana, along with some rolling papers. Watson was
ticketed for driving without a license on her person, possession of marijuana,
and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was given a court date of January 11,
2006.
The Sheriff's
Office received a disturbance call at 292 Willis Road in Homer on Sunday,
December 11 concerning 40-year-old Oliver Gene Sampson, Jr. Upon arrival at the
residence, CPSO Deputies John L. Drew, David Morgan, and Lt. Jimmy Brown
discovered an outstanding warrant for burglary of an inhabited dwelling in
Dallas County, Texas. Sampson was arrested and is being held without bond. As
soon as he signs extradition papers, he will be returned to Dallas County to
face charges.
On Friday,
December 9, while working security at the Athens Basketball Tournament, deputies Matt Harris and David Morgan arrested Earl Chrone
Adams, 28, of Homer. Adams had a number of outstanding warrants with the Homer
Police Department. He resisted arrest and was found to be in possession of
marijuana. Besides the three warrants for simple criminal damage to property,
simple batter, and unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling, Adams was charged
with 2 counts resisting arrest and possession of marijuana. Bond was set at
$8,500.
Dixie Mart Robbed
Homer Police
Department is investigating the robbery of Dixie Mart #3 located on Hwy. 79
next to the Sonic Drive-In in Homer. According to store manager Dawn
Wellsworth, a black male wearing a dark shirt and blue jeans came in the store
around 9:30 PM on Tuesday, November 22 while store clerk Marita Barton was
sweeping at the rear of the store. The man jumped over the counter and grabbed
the store's money bag with an undetermined amount of cash, then hurriedly left,
heading south toward town.
Wellsworth provided
the surveillance video tape to Homer officers. Anyone with information on this
or any other crime is asked to contact the Homer Police Department at 927-4000.
Police Jury Approves Employee Pay Raises
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne
Parish Police Jury narrowly approved giving parish employees a five percent pay
raise at their regular meeting on December 8. Following a lengthy discussion on
the budget which showed a $235,000 deficit, some jurors felt it was not wise to
adopt a pay raise at this time. Secretary Cynthia Steele said the budget had
been operating in a deficit for years, but there was a substantially amount
that was being carried over. Jerry Adkins said the Jury's decision to reduce
the workforce through attrition had reduced the annual cost by about $100,000
including salaries and benefits. He did not believe 5 percent was too much
since there had been no cost of living raise given in the past two years.
Jurors voting
in favor of the pay raise were Jerry Adkins, Roy Mardis, Joe Sturges, and Butch
Bays. Voting against were Lavelle Penix, Scott Davidson, Willie Young and
Weldon Kilpatrick. Mark Furlow was absent. President Roy Lewis broke the 4-4
tie by voting in favor of the motion.
Jurors approved
a number of sites for placement of FEMA trailers with the stipulation they must
comply with all local regulations. Besides Parden's Paradise, jurors approved
sites at the Claiborne Parish Fairgrounds and Plywood Road property on Hwy. 79
in Haynesville, City Park and Homer Industrial Road in Homer, sites owned by
Lisa Guiday, Paula Guy, and John Campbell in Summerfield, and one site owned by
Paula Goocher-Guy in Junction City.
HHS To Get $1.5 Million For Renovation
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne
Parish School Board, at their regular meeting on Thursday, December 8, adopted
another resolution regarding the application for up to $2 million in
QZAB (Qualified Zone Academy Bonds) to be used for renovation of Homer High
School. Superintendent James Scriber said the funds have been approved and will
become available at the end of a 30-day waiting period. Plans are to use only
$1.5 million due to ability of Homer District 13 to pay back the funds at zero
interest over the next eight years.
The Board
tabled a work change order at Homer Junior High to allow contractor Kevin
Greene and architect Hugh Parker to work out their disagreement over reading
the blueprints.
Christmas Memory Tree
In Memory Of—Given By
Hilda H. Spillers—David, Susan &
Caitlyn Kelley; Wes
& Lauren Spillers; and Hunter Spillers
Mike Knight—Nannette Knight and Zachary
Knight
Mike Knight—Diane & Jerry Burlew
Floyd E. Volentine—Avis Volentine and
Beverly & Joe Copeland
Bert Fulmer—Lucille Fulmer
Marion Litcher—Lucille Fulmer
Kate Litcher—Lucille Fulmer
Louise Johnson—Lucille Fulmer
Harold Johnson—Lucille Fulmer
James Kelly—Marie Kelly & Family
To purchase a light for the Christmas Memory Tree, send $5 with
name of person (indicate whether in "memory" or "honor")
and who the gift is from to Claiborne
Parish Christmas Festival at 400 West 3rd St., Homer, LA 71040 or take to Miss
Lizzies For more info, call 927-9009.
Tom Kinder Dies of Morphine Overdose
White Lightning Feud Series: Part 10
NOTE: This is another in our series of articles reprinting
prior
published information on the White Lightning Feuds.
|
Historical Series Chronology
Resposes have been favorable to this
historical series. Additional material continues to come to light. This means
the series will be longer than originally expected; therefore, we are including
a brief chronology of past articles:
- Part 1 (printed 10/13/05) - J. H. Tuggle's rabid dog bit several livestock and other animals; W. W. Maddox assassinated by unknown person and rewards totalling $500 offered for arrest and conviction of the killer; J. H. Ramsey wounds J. D. Tuggle near Denman and Co. Hardware in Homer...
- Part 2 (printed 10/20/05) - Near Denman and Co. Hardware in Homer, J. D. Tuggle shot at John H. Ramsey, missed, and killed Professor J. H. Williams; W. W. Ramsey died and Hamp and Henry Tuggle were wounded in a shootout between the jail and Knighten's saloon in Homer...
- Part 3 (printed 10/27/05) - J. D. Tuggle and I. N. Glover died when ambushed by unknown assailant about three and a half miles toward Summerfield...
- Part 4 (printed 11/10/05) - Murray Tuggle, Hamp's 15-year-old son is shot and wounded; continuation of Dosia Williams' account of Hamp Tuggle's stay at Loyd Hall...
- Part 5 (printed
11/10/05) - Murray Tuggle, Hamp's 15-year-old son is shot and wounded; continuation of Dosia Williams' account of Hamp Tuggle's stay at Loyd Hall
- Part 6 (printed 11/17/05) - Henry Tuggle killed in field in presence of his three children. Link Waggonner shoots a Mr. Holland, then flees to Texas...
- Part 7 (printed 11/24/05) - Waggonner-Kinder grudge; Henry Tuggle makes dying statement that Tom Kinder shot him; Coroner's jury determines Tom Kinder shot and killed John Ferguson, a black man; Tom Kinder shoots at A. K. Clingman...
- Part 8 (printed 12/01/05) - Rewards totalling $1000 offered for
Tom Kinder's capture and delivery to sheriff; Kinder surrenders...
- Part 9 (printed 12/08/05) - Waggonner on the run; Kinder
trial begins...
NOTE: The final chapters in the White Lightning Series will be available in the book being published by The Guardian-Journal. More details coming soon...
|
* * * * *
(continued from last week)
The evidence
for the state, in brief, consisted of the dying declarations of Henry Tuggle,
who stated before his death that Tom Kinder was the man who shot him. There was
also the evidence of Tuggle's two sons, who were with him at the time he was
killed, one of them a boy fourteen years old. Both of these pointed out Kinder
as the man who shot their father. There was a great deal of other evidence
introduced on the part of the state. We have not space to attempt to detail it
in our columns.
The defense was
an alibi and an effort to show that Tuggle and his two sons could not have seen
and recognized the man who did the shooting. A number of persons were sworn who
testified to having seen Kinder on the day of the assassination and some others
to having seen him that night in Homer. By way of rebuttal the state introduced
witnesses to impeach the character of some of the witnesses for the defense.
The case was
argued by Messrs. Phipps, Webb, McClendon, and Wise for the defense and by
District Attorney Murff and Messrs. Watkins and Drew for the state. This is one
of the most celebrated and one of the most important criminal cases ever tried
in this section of the state.
The case was
given to the jury Saturday evening. Up to yesterday at twelve we had no news of
a verdict from the jury. The latest news was to the effect that the jury was
still out and had made no report of any kind. The impression is that the jury
is hung.
Yesterday
morning it was reported on the streets on the strength of a telegram from Minden
that Kinder had committed suicide on Monday night. It seems that Kinder took an
overdose of morphine Monday night and death may be the result. At 2 o'clock
yesterday his condition was reported critical with chances against his
recovery. It is supposed that the morphine was taken with suicidal intent.
----------
The case of the
state against Link Waggonner was fixed for trial at Minden yesterday. This is
another case that will attract great interest.
— Guardian-Journal, page 3
March 7, 1894
* * * * *
End of Two Celebrated Trials
Tom D. Kinder
died in the Minden jail last Wednesday morning [March 7, 1894] at 5 o'clock.
This ended one of the most celebrated criminal trials that has
ever occurred in North Louisiana. Kinder was on trial charged with the assassination
of Henry Tuggle. His case had been in the hands of the jury for several days
when he died. The jury had made no report whatever but was called in and
discharged when death took place. It is said that the jury stood eleven for
conviction to one for acquittal. He was buried near his home on Thursday.
There is a
difference of opinion as to the cause of this man's death. Some think it was
the result of an overdose of morphine while others think it was a general
collapse—something like paralysis of the brain, produced by the long and severe
mental strain he had undergone. There seems to be no doubt that Kinder had
partaken freely of whiskey and also some morphine on Monday evening. Two empty
morphine bottles were found in his cell. It seems that he had been taking
morphine to make him rest. He was of a very nervous temperament. It is useless
to discuss the cause of his death. He has gone before the Judge who does all
things right and will answer for his deeds, good and evil. We could hope that
the strife and bloodshed which have so largely prevailed in this parish for
years might all be buried in his grave and that peace will again reign, but who
can tell. It is said that the last Claiborne grand jury found several bills
against Kinder for murder.
The trial of
Link Waggonner charged with shooting Holland with intent to kill, another
celebrated criminal case, was concluded at Minden last Saturday. The jury
returned a verdict of not guilty. Many of the best people of Minden are said to
be very indignant over the result of this trial. Link is also indicted for
horse stealing in Webster Parish and is [being] held to answer that charge. He
was returned to the Monroe jail Sunday for safekeeping.
----------
The grand jury
say in their report: "We think the keeping of the bloodhounds by the
parish is a useless expense and recommend that it be abolished." We agree
with the grand jury. In the first place we do not believe the dogs are any
account for the purpose for which they are kept. They may do very well for rabbits
but not for men.
– Guardian-Journal, page 3
March 14, 1894
* * * * *
Polite
Waggonner was shot recently in a difficulty near Nacogdoches, Texas. The
dispatch did not state how severely he was hurt. Polite is a brother of the notorious Link
Waggonner.
— Guardian-Journal, page 3
May 9, 1894
* * * * *
The Court of
Appeals adjourned Saturday after a session of a week at this place. Among the
cases disposed of during the term:
J. H. Bridgeman
vs. A. K. Clingman_judgment affirmed.
J. H. Bridgeman
vs. Parish of Claiborne_judgment reversed and case remanded to the lower court
for new trial.
— Guardian-Journal, page 3
July 25, 1894
(NOTE: These two cases apparently relate to rewards for the
capture/surrender of Tom Kinder. Part 9 of this series commented that the
Police Jury was not permitted by law to offer a reward for the capture of Tom
Kinder. J. H. Bridgeman had gone to court to collect the rewards. By affirming
the prior adverse judgment against Bridgeman in the case of Bridgeman vs. Clingman,
the Court of Appeals did not require Clingman to pay the $250 reward he had
offered. However, by reversing and remanding back to the lower court for a new
trial in the case of Bridgeman vs. the Claiborne Parish [Police Jury], the
Court of Appeals did not at this point finally settle this particular case. The
court simply returned the case to the lower court to be considered again. At
any rate, our research indicates that none of the reward money was ever paid.)
* * * * *
The notorious
Link Waggonner and two other prisoners made their escape from the Monroe jail
last Thursday. The jailer went into the jail for the purpose of giving one of
the prisoners something. As soon as he opened the cell door, Waggonner and
another prisoner grabbed him and sought to thrust him into the cell and lock
the door. The jailer raised an alarm, and while the other prisoners escaped
from the jail, they were recaptured before they got far from the jail.
----------
Link Waggonner
seems to be playing high jinks in the Monroe jail. Thursday he broke jail, and
Sunday morning he knocked down a negro prisoner and
cut his face badly. Link was mad at the negro because
he assisted the sheriff when the prisoners made a break for liberty a few days
ago. Hereafter Link will be kept in his cell and, if necessary, chained.
— Guardian-Journal, page 3
August 8, 1894
* * * * *
A Negro Shot
Will Owens, a
colored man, was shot near town Sunday night. The shooting was done a few
hundred yards west of the residence of Mr. W. J. Mercer about ten o'clock
Sunday night. Nick Ramsey and Dick Bridgeman did the shooting. There are
conflicting statements as to how the shooting was done. It seems that young
Ramsey and Bridgeman had taken Dolph Orr, a colored boy about 18 years old, in
charge for the purpose of giving him a flogging for some alleged assault. Will
Owens came upon the scene, and Ramsey and Bridgeman say he shot at them when
they returned the fire. Owens says that he only asked them not to whip the boy,
[then] they shot [Owens], and that he shot [at Ramsey and Bridgeman] after he
had been wounded. Owens was hit twice, once in the leg and once in the head.
His wounds are serious, but it is thought that he will recover. No warrants
have been issued and no arrests made.
— Guardian-Journal, page 3
August 15, 1894
* * * * *
Will Owens, the
colored man who was shot a week ago, is doing well and will probably recover.
— Guardian-Journal, page 3
August 22, 1894
* * * * *
Link Waggonner Killed by a Mob
Link Waggonner
was shot to death in his cell in the Minden jail by a mob last Saturday night.
The mob entered the jail about 1:30 o'clock at night [NOTE: This seems to refer
to Sunday, September 9, 1894, at 1:30 a.m.]. An entrance into the jail was effected by...to be continued
******
Note: Bill
Hightower and Jimmy Dean researched this series of articles.
