Tennessee Research Search

Dfnts. were accused of the first-degree murder of Mrs. Mary Moore, mother of dfnt Moore. Dfnts. were accused of attacking Mrs. Moore, then burning her house down around her. Two other bodies were found with Mrs. Moore, identified as two of her other children: Frances (a girl about 16 years old) and R. J. (a boy about 13). The fire occurred Jan. 1, 1932. Testimony vividly describes state of bodies after being pulled from fire.

Charged with murder of Mitchell Parr. Pages are water stained, but legible.

Victim: Luther Hartsfield

Murder of Andrew Buttram in February 1925. See related case in WT 1974, Jess Green v. State.

Dfnt. was accused of the murder in the first degree one Rozelle Mitchell. This case was heard along with the cause of State v. Wilbur Hubbard, col. for the malicious shooting of Mattie Lee Johnson, wife of dfnt., as "the indictments growing out of trans actions taking place at the same time and being inseparably interwoven." Shooting occurred on June 11, 1932 at John & Mandy Edwards' café/dance hall in Halls. Dfnt. shot Mitchell, Mattie was over the body of Mitchell when Hubbard shot her in the back.

The murder victim was named Dunk Goodrich. Both men were engaged with others in a game of craps on a Sunday night on the Mississippi River, when an argument arose and the victim (age 18) was shot to death. Most of the text is a lengthy description of the various types/degrees of murder.

Victim was Walter Curry. Charged with shooting Curry. Cover page included a note that indicated Dukes escaped from jail and as of the writing of the note had not been apprehended. Note is undated.

Victim: Gale Smith, the defendant's wife.

Defendant (colored), was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after being indicted for first degree murder of Jake Cole (colored). Cole had been threatening defendant whenever he saw him with his ex wife, Sarah. After a dance one night Cole threatened defendant again and was ultimately shot and killed by defendant. Defendant claimed self defense. Defendant was a veteran of World War I.