Court Cases

Not all cases reported here are in Menard County. They were just reported in the Menard newspapers.

The Menard Messenger
Vol. 8 No. 19
Thursday, February 25, 1915

(page 1)

A.S. Ethridge Freed
The jury on the Ethridge case which was tried at Fredericksburg last week, reported in Saturday, and rendered a “not guilty.” Ethridge was on trial for the killing of a sheep inspector in Kimble County. The case created much excitement in that county and over a hundred witnesses were summoned to Fredericksburg to testify.

The Menard Messenger
Vol. IX No. 40
Thursday, July 27, 1916

Lewis Dodd Given Ninety-Nine Years

In the case of Lewis Dodd, charged with the Marble Falls bank robbery and the murder of Cashier Heinatz, tried in district court at Burnet, the jury returned a verdict of guilty and assessed the punishment at 99 years in the state penitentiary. The jury was out only a few minutes before rendering the verdict.

The case went to trial Monday morning of last week and the verdict was rendered Tuesday evening of this week.

The Menard Messenger
Vol IX, No. 47
Thursday, September 14, 1916

(page 1)

Gets Five Year Sentence- T. G. Simmons Convicted of C. A. Bengtson Killing

In the case of the State vs T. G. Simmons, charged with the murder of C. A. Bengtson at Lightner a year ago last February a jury in the district court of Concho county at Paint Rock yesterday returned a verdict of guilty and assessed the punishment at five years in the penitentiary, with a suspension of sentence.

The Simmons case has attracted a great deal of attention in this section of the state because of the tragic manner in which Bengtson met his death and the alleged causes leading up to the killing. Bengtson was killed at Lightner just over the Concho county line a year ago last February, just after he had alighted from the west bound Santa Fe passenger train on his return from a business visit to Brady. A double barrel shot gun was used by Simmons, who fired the contents of both barrels into the body of the victim; death resulting almost instantly.

In a former trial of the case the jury was unable to agree, and a mistrial resulted.----Brady Standard

The Menard Messenger
Vol. 10 No. 21
Thursday, March 22, 1917

DISTRICT COURT PROCEEDINGS
Criminal Docket

No. 1371. State of Texas vs Bob Clark, willfully deserting his wife without justificating. Dismissed by County Attorney for reasons in motion on file.

No. 1385. State of Texas vs W. E. Stone, Assault with intent to murder. Pleas of not guilty; found guilty by jury as charged in indictment. Penalty of 5 years in penitentiary and recommended suspended sentence which was accepted.

No. 1389. State of Texas vs Jim Turman, unlawfully carrying pistol Pled not guilty. Jury returns a verdict of guilty and defendant is fined $125 and costs. Defendant remanded to custody sheriff until fine and costs paid. Appeal bond fixed at $300. Failing to give bond the defendant was remanded to jail. ---Mason News--- See additional about this case HERE

The Menard Messenger
Vol. 10 No. 24
Thursday, April 12, 1917
(page 1)

IN DISTRICT COURT

The case of the state against Walter Pruitt for burglary was called and the jury declared him guilty. He was sentenced by Judge Stubbs to two years in the house of correction.

The case of Wesley Leifesti charged with the murder of Dan Phelps was set for October 30th.

The Menard Messenger
Vol. 10 No. 29
Thursday, May 24, 1917

HUNG JURY IN TURMAN CASE
In the State of Texas vs. Jim Turman, charged with the murder of Will Kettnar, tried in the District Court in this county last week, the jury after being out several hours, in fact from late Friday evening until Monday morning, reported could not agree and they dismissed them. We have been informed by some of the jurors in the case that the verdict stood nine for acquittal and against three for conviction from the first vote. The case was transferred to Burnett and will be called again for trial on June 18th, this year.

NOTE:  While I strive for accuracy in all transcriptions, please be advised that typing errors may be present.  I would suggest you always verify my online information with a copy of the actual record.

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