G. Y. OVERALL PROVES AN ALIBI
Shoemake, the first witness for the prosecution, had made such a wretched failure that no efforts were made to bring in the other witness from Mississippi of the same character, Bentonville Taylor. The prosecution next introduced two witnesses from Columbus, Miss., and one by the name of G. W. Overall, all to prove an alibi, and that G. Y. Overall was positively residing in another place at the time referred to in Copeland’s confessions. This testimony was satisfactory and unobjectionable; but, as will be shown in further progress of the trial, did not in reality invalidate the confessions in any material point whatever.
The examination and cross examination of the different witnesses, with the arguments of the opposing counsel, occupied the Court for about two days; and had G. Y. Overall’s object been nothing further than the establishing of his own innocence, he might have succeeded commensurate with his own unbounded desire; but what was he doing associated with such men as S. S. Shoemake and Bentonville Taylor? The complete unmasking of the infamous conduct of the former was anything but auspicious for the prosecution, and left a very unfavorable impression on all who heard the proceedings as to the character of the prosecution.