Life and bloody career of the executed criminal, James Copeland, the great Southern land piratePitts, J. R. S. (James Robert Soda)
History
Life and bloody career of the executed criminal, James Copeland, the great Southern land pirate
Pitts, J. R. S. (James Robert Soda)
Copeland, James, 1823-1857; Criminals -- Gulf States -- Biography
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, }
_vs._ } MURDER.
JAMES COPELAND. }
This day comes George Wood, District Attorney, and the prisoner is
again brought to the bar, in custody of the Sheriff, and also comes
the jury whom yesterday were duly tried, chosen and taken between the
parties; and thereupon comes James M. Pitts and John H. Holder, who
were this day returned as jurors in the case, in obedience to the
command of the venue, last issued on yesterday; who in presence of the
prisoner are regularly tried, chosen and taken between the parties;
and the jury so chosen, as aforesaid, are empaneled and sworn, in the
presence of the prisoner, well and truly to try the traverse upon
the issue joined between the State and the prisoner aforesaid, and
a true deliverance make according to the evidence; and the evidence
is submitted to them in the presence of the prisoner, and the opening
argument is heard, on the part of the District Attorney and the further
consideration of the cause is continued until to-morrow morning, and
the prisoner is remanded to jail.
THURSDAY MORNING, 8 O’CLOCK, SEPTEMBER 17, 1857.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, }
_vs._ } MURDER.
JAMES COPELAND. }
This day comes the District Attorney, and the prisoner is again brought
to the bar in the custody of the Sheriff, and the argument is resumed
and concluded; and the jury are instructed by the Court at the request
of the counsel, in writing, and the jury retire to consider their
verdict. And in the presence of the prisoner return the following,
to-wit: “We, the jury, on our oaths, find the prisoner guilty in manner
and form as charged in the bill of indictment;” and the prisoner is
remanded to jail to await his sentence.
SENTENCE OF THE COURT.
FRIDAY MORNING, 8 O’CLOCK, SEPTEMBER 18, 1857.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, }
_vs._ } MURDER.
JAMES COPELAND. }
This day comes the District Attorney, and the prisoner, who was on
yesterday convicted of the crime of murder, is again brought to the
bar. And thereupon the prisoner by his counsel moves the Court for a
new trial, which motion was fully heard and understood by the Court;
and is by the Court here overruled. And to the opinion of the Court in
overruling said motion, the prisoner by his counsel here excepts:
STATE VS. JAMES COPELAND. } MURDER.
MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL OF THE COLLATERAL. }
Issue joined as to the sanity of the defendant, and his capacity to
make defense in the charge of murder.
1st. Because the Court erred in refusing instructions asked by
defendant and in granting those asked by the State.
2d. Because said verdict is contrary to law and evidence.
TAYLOR & WILBORN, for Motion.
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