Perry County KYGenWeb

04 Jun 1914

COMBS GETS A LIFE SENTENCE

On last Friday morning the jury trying the case of James O. Combs for the willful murder of J. Draughn last December, reported their verdict, giving Combs a life sentence in the penitentiary for his crime. Combs accepted the sentence and was sentenced by the Court here Saturday morning, and Sheriff A. B. Combs and deputy Sheriff John Combs started with him for the penitentiary at Frankfort on the Saturday morning train. The arguments of the counsel on both sides took most of the day Thursday. The case was ably handled. The counsel for the defense was generally thought to have a tight case to argue. Counsel C. F.. Bird from Lexington did not hesitate in attempts to cast a cloud upon the witnesses. Counsel J. C. Eversole for the defense was far more politic in his comments upon the testimony for the com.( I think something is missing here)

 
Certain reports have been circulated as to the attitude of the jury, one being that the first ballot of the jury stood something like 8 for execution and 4 for life sentence Another report was that it stood 6 for execution and 3 for life sentence and 3 for 2-21 years. The ultimate agreement was a life sentence.
 
When the jury reported the verdict the defendant is said to have spoken harshly to them in open court. General opinion seems to prevail that if an appeal had been taken and retrial secured, sentence to the electric chair would almost certainly have followed. There was no demonstration and the sentenced man was taken away the attendance of many curious people.
Transcribed by Lynda Combs Gipson