The Richmond Compiler - Trial of John T. Mason for the Murder of David Bradford

Submitted by: Billie Grunden bilfre64@yahoo.com May 2008

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RICHMOND COMPILER May 24 1844

TRIAL AND ACQUITAL OF JOHN T. MASON ESQ. Our readers doubtless remember that in March last, we 
briefly announced the fact, that the late David Bradford, of this parish was killed in the streets 
of this place by Mr. Mason, who was at time arrested, taken before an examining count, and held to 
bail for his appearance at the May term of the district court.

On Wednesday the 8th inst., the grand jury returned to the court, a true bill against Mason for 
murder the next day he was arrested, a special jury summoned, and the case set for trial on the 
15th. According to appointment the case was called, a jury empanelled and able counsel appeared both 
for the prosecution and the defence.

For the State The District Attorney; Mr. Bonham, Mr. Boyle, of Bayou Sara, Messrs. Wallace and Perkins 
of this parish. For the Prisoner.?H. S Foote of Mississippi, D. S. Stacy of Vidalia, and Messrs. Shannon, 
Amonett, & Pierce of this place.

The investigation of the case occupied the time of the court for three days and a half, during which 
time, all the circumstances of the case, which were proper to go to the jury, underwent a patient and 
thorough investigation. Perhaps so great a display of learning and ability, has never before been witnessed 
in this parish in the investigation and argument of any case. Several of the gentlemen mentioned, made 
their first appearance before a jury in this cause,
and so far as we have heard an expression of opinion, acquitted themselves with great credit. 

Gen. Foote closed the argument for the defence, and Mr. Boyle for the prosecution. They are both old and 
talented lawyers, and the collision of their minds may be compared to the grappling of two giants; but we 
cannot attempt a notice of their respective speeches.

At 11 o'clock, A. M. on Saturday, Mr. Boyle submitted the case to the jury, and after a short, but clear 
and impartial charge from Judge Willson, the jury retired to make up verdict. About three or four o'clock 
in the afternoon, the jury returned into court, and asked to be discharged, on account of their inability 
to agree upon a verdict, which request was refused by the court, and the jury ordered back to their room. 
On Monday morning, soon after the opening of the court, the jury returned the following verdict: 

We the jury find the accused not guilty, in manner and form as charged in the indictment"?or in other words, 
the jury pronounced the act excusable homicide. Great interest was manifested in this trial, and a very 
unusual large of persons were present during its progress.

                                                         ---------------------

Are any steps being taken for the apprehension and punishment of Wotley who shot Mr. Willis near the mouth 
of Roundaway Bayou, sometime last winter? The villain is said to have taken refuge in Mississippi, more than 
sixty or seventy miles from the scene of his crime, and yet we have heard of no effort being made to apprehend 
and bring him to punishment. How long shall such things be?