(A special thanks to Darla Terry for sending these to me)
The Enid Daily News, Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma,
Friday, July 01, 1927
RAVEN, BOUND OVER, TO MAKE MOVE FOR
BOND
Accused Slayer Will Ask For Release Pending His Trial
Accused Slayer Will Ask For Release Pending His Trial
An
Application asking the release of Leon Raven from the county jail,
where he is held without bond, this morning was filed in district court
by L. F. Roseboom, attorney for the prisoner.
Raven is charged with the murder of Russell Hunter. Yesterday afternoon following a preliminary, M. E. Shockley, justice of the peace, ordered Raven held without bond in the county jail pending his trial on murder charges in district court.
In his petition the prisoner said that testimony presented by the state at the preliminary was not evident of his guilt. The sheriff was instructed to bring the prisoner into district court tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock for a hearing.
Raven is charged with the murder of Russell Hunter. Yesterday afternoon following a preliminary, M. E. Shockley, justice of the peace, ordered Raven held without bond in the county jail pending his trial on murder charges in district court.
In his petition the prisoner said that testimony presented by the state at the preliminary was not evident of his guilt. The sheriff was instructed to bring the prisoner into district court tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock for a hearing.
Shooting Near Covington
Raven
shot and killed Hunter last Friday night on the Sinclair lease, four
miles northeast of Covington.
H. T. Williams, Manager of a filling station near the scene of the shooting, testified at yesterday's preliminary that he was standing in front of his station about 7 o'clock last Friday night.
He said he saw Raven, accompanied by his wife and family, driving south along the road. Hunter was walking along the road, going north. The witness said his attention was attracted by the sound of a shot. Hunter was walking along naturally, he said, but after a few steps he staggered and fell. Raven got out of the machine, according to the testimony of Williams, walked to within 20 or 25 feet of Hunter and fired again. Williams said three shots were fired. Raven walked to the prostrate man and talked to him, Williams said, but he could not distinguish the words of the conversation.
H. T. Williams, Manager of a filling station near the scene of the shooting, testified at yesterday's preliminary that he was standing in front of his station about 7 o'clock last Friday night.
He said he saw Raven, accompanied by his wife and family, driving south along the road. Hunter was walking along the road, going north. The witness said his attention was attracted by the sound of a shot. Hunter was walking along naturally, he said, but after a few steps he staggered and fell. Raven got out of the machine, according to the testimony of Williams, walked to within 20 or 25 feet of Hunter and fired again. Williams said three shots were fired. Raven walked to the prostrate man and talked to him, Williams said, but he could not distinguish the words of the conversation.
Asks For An Officer
Raven
drove his car away but soon came back and requested that an officer be
summoned. When asked what should be done with the wounded man,
the witness said Raven replied, "Do anything you like."
"He can't assault my wife and get away with it." Raven was quoted as saying by the witness when he was cross-examined by Roseboom.
The second state witness was Louis Goodman, employed at Williams filling station. His attention was attracted to the shooting by the first shot which he at first mistook for a firecracker exploding.
He told substantially the same story as his employer.
"He can't assault my wife and get away with it." Raven was quoted as saying by the witness when he was cross-examined by Roseboom.
The second state witness was Louis Goodman, employed at Williams filling station. His attention was attracted to the shooting by the first shot which he at first mistook for a firecracker exploding.
He told substantially the same story as his employer.
Cared for Injured Man
F.
J. McNally, bulk sales representative for the Sinclair Refining
company, did not see the actual shooting. He was in front of the
station talking to Williams when the shooting occurred. He also
at first believed the noise was caused by exploding firecrackers or
torpedoes, but he said he was disillusioned by the look on Williams
face. Turning around he said he observed Raven standing over
Hunter's body which was lying along the road. When Raven left,
Hunter was carried to McNally's automobile and driven to his home.
Hunter's death was caused by a hemorrhage in the abdominal cavity caused by a gunshot wound, Dr. R. D. Stone of Covington, testified. Dr. Stone attended Hunter after the shooting. When Dr. Stone entered the room where Hunter was lying on a bed, the wounded man cried "Oh! Doctor, " and lapsed into unconsciousness. The doctor said Hunter died while preparations were being made to remove him to a hospital.
The defense offered no testimony at the preliminary.
Hunter's death was caused by a hemorrhage in the abdominal cavity caused by a gunshot wound, Dr. R. D. Stone of Covington, testified. Dr. Stone attended Hunter after the shooting. When Dr. Stone entered the room where Hunter was lying on a bed, the wounded man cried "Oh! Doctor, " and lapsed into unconsciousness. The doctor said Hunter died while preparations were being made to remove him to a hospital.
The defense offered no testimony at the preliminary.
The Enid Daily Eagle
September 22, 1927
HARD TO FIND JURY TO HEAR MURDER
TRIAL
Two Panels Exhausted And Another
Called In Raven Hearing
But
little progress was made this
morning in the task of selecting a jury to hear the case of Leon Raven,
oil field worker, charged in district court with murder. Court
recessed at 11:15 o'clock until 1:30 p.m. with the panel still
incompleted.
The case was started yesterday afternoon. Court adjourned at 4:15 when the supply of available jury-men was exhausted. The court ordered tha names of ten additional jurors drawn from the jury-box and the men were ordered to report at 9 o'clock this morning. Five of the men whose names were drawn were out of the city, one visiting in California, one in Missouri, one in Arkansas, and two being in the state but not at home. One man whose name was drawn is dead. Four of the men reported. One of them was over 60 years of age, the legal limit and he claimed exemption. Another was deaf and he was excused. A third disqualified himself by stating he had an opinion in the matter which would require evidence to remove.
Judge Swindall immediately ordered the names of 15 more men drawn from the jury box and these are expected to report when court convenes this afternoon.
The county attorney said this morning the first state witness to take the stand after the jury is selected will be H. T. Williams, operator of a filling station a short distance from where the tragedy occurred. He was an eye witness.
Attorneys for Raven have questioned all prospective jurymen closely as to their ideas in regard to self defense. This probably will be the defense offered by the counsel for Raven.
Raven is charged with the murder of Russell Hunter, oil field worker. The shooting occurred June 24 near the Sinclair camp in the Garber-Covington field.
Hunter's father, mother and widow are attending the court sessions. Mrs. Raven with her four children, also has been present at all sessions.
The case was started yesterday afternoon. Court adjourned at 4:15 when the supply of available jury-men was exhausted. The court ordered tha names of ten additional jurors drawn from the jury-box and the men were ordered to report at 9 o'clock this morning. Five of the men whose names were drawn were out of the city, one visiting in California, one in Missouri, one in Arkansas, and two being in the state but not at home. One man whose name was drawn is dead. Four of the men reported. One of them was over 60 years of age, the legal limit and he claimed exemption. Another was deaf and he was excused. A third disqualified himself by stating he had an opinion in the matter which would require evidence to remove.
Judge Swindall immediately ordered the names of 15 more men drawn from the jury box and these are expected to report when court convenes this afternoon.
Williams Is First Witness
The county attorney said this morning the first state witness to take the stand after the jury is selected will be H. T. Williams, operator of a filling station a short distance from where the tragedy occurred. He was an eye witness.
Attorneys for Raven have questioned all prospective jurymen closely as to their ideas in regard to self defense. This probably will be the defense offered by the counsel for Raven.
Raven is charged with the murder of Russell Hunter, oil field worker. The shooting occurred June 24 near the Sinclair camp in the Garber-Covington field.
Widow Attends Trial
Hunter's father, mother and widow are attending the court sessions. Mrs. Raven with her four children, also has been present at all sessions.
The Enid Daily News
September 23, 1927
DEFENDANT IN MURDER TRIAL TAKES
STAND
Leon Raven Tells Jury His Version of Fatal Shooting
ATTACK ON WIFE GIVEN AS MOTIVE
Other Events Leading Up To Affair Described In Court Room
Leon Raven Tells Jury His Version of Fatal Shooting
ATTACK ON WIFE GIVEN AS MOTIVE
Other Events Leading Up To Affair Described In Court Room
Leon
Raven, age 28, oil field
worker charged with the murder of Russell Hunter, this morning at 10
o'clock took the witness stand in his own defense in his trial in
district court.
Answering the questions of H. J. Sturgis, his attorney, Raven told the history of his life and the facts surrounding the shooting of Hunter on June 24.
The defendant told of first coming to Garfield county in 1920. He was married in 1921 and at that time he resided on the Belveal lease. Later he lived on the Crews lease. His occupation, he said, is that of a roustabout and caser.
Answering the questions of H. J. Sturgis, his attorney, Raven told the history of his life and the facts surrounding the shooting of Hunter on June 24.
The defendant told of first coming to Garfield county in 1920. He was married in 1921 and at that time he resided on the Belveal lease. Later he lived on the Crews lease. His occupation, he said, is that of a roustabout and caser.
Went to Seminole to Work
During
the first week in June,
Raven said he went to the Seminole field in search of work. Work
was slack at that time in the Garber-Covington field and he said it was
his intention to move to Seminole if he was successful in finding
employment.
About June 22 he received a letter from his wife, he testified, in which she told him of an assault made on her by Hunter. Raven said he immediately asked for his wages and started home. He arrived home the morning of June 24.
His wife described tha alleged assault to him and also said that Hunter told her if she told "Slim" he would "burn him down."
About June 22 he received a letter from his wife, he testified, in which she told him of an assault made on her by Hunter. Raven said he immediately asked for his wages and started home. He arrived home the morning of June 24.
His wife described tha alleged assault to him and also said that Hunter told her if she told "Slim" he would "burn him down."
Went After Revolver
Raven
said he drove to town and
obtained a revolver as he was afraid that Hunter would carry out his
threats.
About 6 o'clock that night Raven started to Covington after a battery which his wife had left there a day or two before. His wife was riding in the seat beside him and his four children were in the rear seat.
They had gone but a short distance when they saw a man approaching about 200 yards down the road. The man was walking. Raven said at first he did not recognize the man but soon knew that he was Hunter.
About 6 o'clock that night Raven started to Covington after a battery which his wife had left there a day or two before. His wife was riding in the seat beside him and his four children were in the rear seat.
They had gone but a short distance when they saw a man approaching about 200 yards down the road. The man was walking. Raven said at first he did not recognize the man but soon knew that he was Hunter.
Put
Hand Over Hip
Raven
testified he was driving
about 15 miles an hour when he first saw Hunter. He slowed down
as he came nearer, he said. As Hunter was opposite the machine he
turned and faced it, Raven testified, at the same time putting his
right hand over his right hip.
The defendant said he fired one shot and Hunter did not fall. He fired again and Hunter went down but tried to get up. He fired the third shot as Hunter was trying to arise, he testified.
All the shots were fired while he was in the car, according to Raven's testimony. He stopped the machine and got out. With his gun still in his hand he walked toward Hunter. He said he told Hunter if he pulled a gun, he would kill him. He said he did not understand what Hunter replied but it was something about a gun.
The defendant said he fired one shot and Hunter did not fall. He fired again and Hunter went down but tried to get up. He fired the third shot as Hunter was trying to arise, he testified.
All the shots were fired while he was in the car, according to Raven's testimony. He stopped the machine and got out. With his gun still in his hand he walked toward Hunter. He said he told Hunter if he pulled a gun, he would kill him. He said he did not understand what Hunter replied but it was something about a gun.
Started to Drive Away
Raven
said he then got back in
the auto and started to drive away. He drove perhaps 200 yards,
then came back. He then went home and waited for the officers to
come. He shot, he said, because he was afraid of Hunter and
believed his life was in danger.
On cross-examination Dan Mitchell, county attorney brought out the fact that when Raven came to Enid he first purchased a shotgun. He took the gun out and tried it but it would not shoot so he returned it and obtained the revolver.
Raven said he had known Hunter since he has been in the Garfield county oil fields. Although he did not like him to any great extent, both always had been friendly, he said.
On cross-examination Dan Mitchell, county attorney brought out the fact that when Raven came to Enid he first purchased a shotgun. He took the gun out and tried it but it would not shoot so he returned it and obtained the revolver.
Raven said he had known Hunter since he has been in the Garfield county oil fields. Although he did not like him to any great extent, both always had been friendly, he said.
Wants to Talk to Him
When
Mitchell asked Raven if he
was afraid of Hunter and saw him 200 yards away, why he did not turn
around and go away. Raven replied he wanted to talk to him.
He said when he recognized Hunter in the road he pulled the gun which he was carrying in his belt. He admitted he did not see Hunter have a gun.
Quoting from a record made at the time Raven made application for bond in district court Mitchell showed a discrepancy in Raven's testimony. On that occasion when asked what Hunter did when the machine came opposite him in the road. Raven said Hunter turned around and faced the machine. This morning Raven testified that besides turning around and facing the machine Hunter also put his right hand on his right hip.
He said when he recognized Hunter in the road he pulled the gun which he was carrying in his belt. He admitted he did not see Hunter have a gun.
Quoting from a record made at the time Raven made application for bond in district court Mitchell showed a discrepancy in Raven's testimony. On that occasion when asked what Hunter did when the machine came opposite him in the road. Raven said Hunter turned around and faced the machine. This morning Raven testified that besides turning around and facing the machine Hunter also put his right hand on his right hip.
Wife also on Stand
At
the former hearing Raven also
testified that when the second shot was fired Hunter was sitting in the
road. This morning he said Hunter was standing up and leaning
forward when the second shot was fired.
Mrs. Naomi Raven, wife of the defendant, followed her husband on the stand. She told of an alleged assault on June 10 which she said Hunter made on her after she had spent the early part of the night at a carnival at Garber in company with Mrs. Depew, a neighbor.
She said as hey were returning home her car stopped a short distance out of Garber. While she was trying to fix it Hunter and some companions came along in another automobile. Hunter fixed the machine and drove i on home, she said. They let Mrs. Depew out at her home and then instead of driving Mrs. Raven home the witness testified he drove to the vicinity of Gilpin's Pond where the assault is alleged to have occurred.
When questioned by the county attorney she said the assault occurred on Friday. She related the incidents of the assault and also told of the threats alleged to have been made by Hunter.
The following Monday she wrote to her husband but this letter was returned. She did not tell him of the assault in this letter, she said. On June 19 she said she wrote again, and this time she told him of the assault. When Raven came home she again told him of the assault and of the threats.
Mrs. Naomi Raven, wife of the defendant, followed her husband on the stand. She told of an alleged assault on June 10 which she said Hunter made on her after she had spent the early part of the night at a carnival at Garber in company with Mrs. Depew, a neighbor.
She said as hey were returning home her car stopped a short distance out of Garber. While she was trying to fix it Hunter and some companions came along in another automobile. Hunter fixed the machine and drove i on home, she said. They let Mrs. Depew out at her home and then instead of driving Mrs. Raven home the witness testified he drove to the vicinity of Gilpin's Pond where the assault is alleged to have occurred.
When questioned by the county attorney she said the assault occurred on Friday. She related the incidents of the assault and also told of the threats alleged to have been made by Hunter.
The following Monday she wrote to her husband but this letter was returned. She did not tell him of the assault in this letter, she said. On June 19 she said she wrote again, and this time she told him of the assault. When Raven came home she again told him of the assault and of the threats.
Upholds Husband's Statements
She
admitted that another man
previously had attempted to assault her and she had told her husband of
this attempt. When Mitchell questioned her about other men, the
counsel for the defense objected and the court sustained the objection.
Mrs. Raven corroborated her husband's statements concerning the shooting.
The defense offered testimony of one other witness before court recessed at noon. The witness was Mrs. I. H. Clark. She testified that she was driving a short distance behind Raven's car. She said all three shots were fired before Raven left his machine. She said she saw Raven get out of the auto, then she went into the filling station.
Mrs. Raven corroborated her husband's statements concerning the shooting.
The defense offered testimony of one other witness before court recessed at noon. The witness was Mrs. I. H. Clark. She testified that she was driving a short distance behind Raven's car. She said all three shots were fired before Raven left his machine. She said she saw Raven get out of the auto, then she went into the filling station.
Son Was Unarmed. She Says
Before
resting this morning the
state questioned two witnesses. They were Mrs. J. L. Hunter,
mother of the man who was shot, and Louis Goodwin, who was at the
filling station a short distance from where the shooting occurred.
Mrs. Hunter testified that on the day that her son was killed he with his wife and baby had supper at her home. After supper her son's wife and baby drove into Covington. Russell, she said, stayed at her home for a while, then started to walk home. He was in his shirt sleeves and unarmed, she testified.
Goodwin's testimony was substantially the same as that of other state witnesses on the stand yesterday.
The murder trial started at noon Wednesday. The selection of a jury was completed yesterday afternoon and testimony was offered by H. T. Williams, filling station operator; F. J. McNally of Enid who was an eyewitness; W. Goodman who was working at the Williams station; E. C. Yeary, deputy sheriff at Covington, who arrested Raven; C. W. Allen, deputy sheriff, who brought Raven to Enid; J. T. Lytle, store owner here where Raven purchased the gun; Chas. Wheeler, Sinclair Oil company employee, who substantiated the evidence of previous witnesses; Dr. R. D. Stone, Covington physician who attended Hunter, and J. Y. Burkett, who was the first man to reach Hunter's side after the shooting.
Mrs. Hunter testified that on the day that her son was killed he with his wife and baby had supper at her home. After supper her son's wife and baby drove into Covington. Russell, she said, stayed at her home for a while, then started to walk home. He was in his shirt sleeves and unarmed, she testified.
Goodwin's testimony was substantially the same as that of other state witnesses on the stand yesterday.
The murder trial started at noon Wednesday. The selection of a jury was completed yesterday afternoon and testimony was offered by H. T. Williams, filling station operator; F. J. McNally of Enid who was an eyewitness; W. Goodman who was working at the Williams station; E. C. Yeary, deputy sheriff at Covington, who arrested Raven; C. W. Allen, deputy sheriff, who brought Raven to Enid; J. T. Lytle, store owner here where Raven purchased the gun; Chas. Wheeler, Sinclair Oil company employee, who substantiated the evidence of previous witnesses; Dr. R. D. Stone, Covington physician who attended Hunter, and J. Y. Burkett, who was the first man to reach Hunter's side after the shooting.
No One Heard Conversation
Williams
testified that Raven
shot the first shot while in the car and the other two after he had
left the machine. None of the witnesses were close enough to hear
the conversation between Hunter and Raven. Burkett said when he
reached Hunter's side he asked him who shot him and Hunter replied that
Raven did it, adding " I don't know why." All the witnesses
testified that Hunter was unarmed.
Over the objection of defense attorneys, Allen was permitted to relate a conversation with Raven which was held when he was bringing Raven to Enid. Allen said he asked Raven why he shot Hunter and Raven replied that "other men had done it and got away with it and he did not see why he could not."
Attorneys for the defense at noon said they had five or six more witnesses to examine. The taking of evidence probably will be completed this afternoon. The court room again was filled this morning by spectators, the majority of whom reside in or near the Garber-Covington field.
Over the objection of defense attorneys, Allen was permitted to relate a conversation with Raven which was held when he was bringing Raven to Enid. Allen said he asked Raven why he shot Hunter and Raven replied that "other men had done it and got away with it and he did not see why he could not."
Attorneys for the defense at noon said they had five or six more witnesses to examine. The taking of evidence probably will be completed this afternoon. The court room again was filled this morning by spectators, the majority of whom reside in or near the Garber-Covington field.
The Enid Daily Eagle
September 24, 1927
RAVEN NOT GUILTY IN MURDER CASE
Three Ballots Taken By Jury For
Decision
Self-Defense Plea Of Defendant
Wins Acquittal in Court
STATE ATTORNEYS EXPRESS SURPRISE
Raven Leaves Courthouse With Family Soon After Jury Reports
STATE ATTORNEYS EXPRESS SURPRISE
Raven Leaves Courthouse With Family Soon After Jury Reports
Leon
Raven, aged 28, oil field
worker, this morning was acquitted of murder charges by a jury in
district court.
Raven was charged with the death of Russell Hunter on June 24. Hunter was shot and killed by Raven on a road near the Sinclair camp in the Garber-Covington field. Raven admitted the shooting but claimed self-defense.
The case started Wednesday afternoon and more than a day was spent in the selection of a jury. The case went to the jury last night about 8:30 o'clock, the county attorney closing the argument at a night session of court.
The jury deliberated until 11 o'clock last night, and again this morning. It returned its verdict at 9:10 a.m. The verdict was signed by C. R. Shockley, foreman.
Three ballots were taken by the jury. The first vote resulted in six votes for acquittal and six for conviction. The second ballot found four jurors changing their votes, ten being for acquittal and two still favoring conviction. The vote was unanimous for acquittal on the third ballot.
When the verdict was announced relatives of the defendant surged about him. He picked up his children and held them tightly. His wife threw her arms about his neck.
As soon as Raven had received the congratulations of relatives and friends he hastened to thank each individual juror. He was discharged from the custody of officers and left the courtroom carrying his youngest child.
The jury was excused until Monday morning by the court. Dan Mitchell, county attorney, and A. L. Zinser, his assistant, expressed disappointment at the verdict. Mitchell said it was a "surprise" and Zinser expressed his sentiment by saying " It is safer to murder in Garfield county than it is to steal a single chicken."
Raven was charged with the death of Russell Hunter on June 24. Hunter was shot and killed by Raven on a road near the Sinclair camp in the Garber-Covington field. Raven admitted the shooting but claimed self-defense.
The case started Wednesday afternoon and more than a day was spent in the selection of a jury. The case went to the jury last night about 8:30 o'clock, the county attorney closing the argument at a night session of court.
Verdict Early This Morning
The jury deliberated until 11 o'clock last night, and again this morning. It returned its verdict at 9:10 a.m. The verdict was signed by C. R. Shockley, foreman.
Three ballots were taken by the jury. The first vote resulted in six votes for acquittal and six for conviction. The second ballot found four jurors changing their votes, ten being for acquittal and two still favoring conviction. The vote was unanimous for acquittal on the third ballot.
When the verdict was announced relatives of the defendant surged about him. He picked up his children and held them tightly. His wife threw her arms about his neck.
Thanks Each Juror
As soon as Raven had received the congratulations of relatives and friends he hastened to thank each individual juror. He was discharged from the custody of officers and left the courtroom carrying his youngest child.
The jury was excused until Monday morning by the court. Dan Mitchell, county attorney, and A. L. Zinser, his assistant, expressed disappointment at the verdict. Mitchell said it was a "surprise" and Zinser expressed his sentiment by saying " It is safer to murder in Garfield county than it is to steal a single chicken."