NEGRO’S TRIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 10267, 14 April 1926, Page 5

NEGRO’S TRIAL.

TEAR GAS KEEPS OFF EXCITED CROWDS.

NEW YORK, Feb. 1. The most extraordinary trial in the history of Kentucky took place in Lexington. In sixteen minutes—quite a remarkable record in a country where such trials usually last many weeks—a Negro, Ed. Harris, was sentenced to death for assaulting a white woman, Mrs Clarence Bryant, whose husband and two children lie had previously murdered.

To accomplish this quick result, justice was aided by tear-gas bombs, armoured tanks, machine guns, and more than 1000 troops, most of them ex-Service men. All this imposing military display was deemed necessary to frustrate attempts by the populace to usurp the function of justice.

ROPING OFF THE SNTPERS

Harris was taken from prison at Fraukfort, 30 miles from, the court, in the early hours after soldiers had dispersed the crowds by tear gas. He was hidden in the Army tank, which was surrounded by six armoured lorries.

The streets leading to the prison were roped off at a sufficient distance to prevent sniping. In a short walk from the gaol entrance to die tank Harris had ns his companion, 'Lieutenant Gayle, a man of the same stature and dressed in the same costume as himself. The tank was drawn' by two lorries. It was preceded and followed by bodies of troops. At Lexington the tobacco and livestock markets were closed for the day, inter-urbani tramway services were suspended, and private motor cars were forbidden to enter the city, whose banks and business houses were closelv shuttered.

At strategic points around the court whippet tanks wore stationed. They were supported by machine guns mounted in such a wav as to enable the gunners to sweep the streets with shot. READY FOR A SIEGE.

Around the court building, which was brilliantly lighted- throughout the night, 1000 troops with nistols readv to fire, formed a solid sqpare. Inside the court sufficient arms and ammunition Were dumped to enable its defenders to withstand a long siege. Harris was tried, not. for the murders, hut for assaulting the white woman, which carries with it a death sentence. He was condemned to be hanged on March 5. He was- taken back to gaol with a huge military display, and lie will have a strong military guard for the next four weeks.