The Attorneys Arguing Preliminary Questions.

THERE MAY BE CHANGE OF VENUE

GillIs Is a Young Farmer Who Shot and Killed a Neighbor, McRae Whitaker.

Special to The State.

Camden, June 8.- The court of general sessions convened here on Monday morning with Judge Watts presiding.

Half of Monday was taken up with the trial of one Thos. Hunter for malicious mischief, which resulted in a verdict of not guilty. Hunter had gone to see a neighbor about going out shooting one afternoon, and while standing in the field the neighbor’s dog attacked Hunter and the latter shot him. Two years later the neighbor had a warrant issued and hence the trial.

Hammie Nelson was indicted for murder. A mere child who probably did not realize what he was about. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to two years in the State reformatory. The rest of the day was devoted to the trial of one Randal Horton for disposing of property under lien. He was found guilty and sentenced to six months on the chaingang.

On Tuesday John T. Morrison was tried for murder and acquitted, as was also J. E. Holland on trial for adultery.

The tril which is attracting most attention during this term began today, via. State vs. J. E. Gillis for the murder of McRae Whitaker.

Gill is a young farmer who lives in the southern part of the county in the Boykin neighborhood. The man he killed was also a young farmer having charge of the plantation of his wife’s mother at the time of the killing.

The plantations adjoin, and the trouble arose from some fire which Whittaker alleged Gillis had set out. The shooting occurred at Boykin depot, on the Southern railway early in the afternoon and young Whitaker died at the feet of a few friends before medical aid could reache him. Gillis is being defended by Mr. George Johnstone of Newberry, Judge E. D. Blakeney of Kershaw. Mr. W. M. Trantham of Camden, and Mr. Jennings of Sumter, who are making a desperate fight for their client’s life. Solicitor Thurman is being most ably assisted by Hon. M. L. Smith in the prosecution.

Some interesting preliminary questions consumed the time of the court today.

When the case was called the defendant’s counsel announced that they would make application for a change of venue. The defendant having been arraigned, notice, which the statute says shall be ten days, was served on the solicitor that the defendant would move before Judge Purdy at the next term of court for this county tor a change of venue. The defendant’s attorneys took the position that they could not serve the notice until after the arraignment of the prisoner and that inasmuch as this term of court only lasted one week the lapse of the ten days would find Judge Watts without jurisdiction and hence it must be heard before the next judge. This position was maintained, but the prosecution argued to the court that the State had every right to waive the ten days and push for trial.

Judge Watts so decided and the motion will be heard tomorrow morning at 9.30 o’clock.