be hanged. The case was appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court on |
the grounds of the "affinity" defense and this body affirmed the con«
wbiction with Judge M, M, Neal stating: "The idea of affinity does not
exist, should not exist and does not enter into this case, and is an
absurd idea when applied to any crime in which a human life has been
taken," Turner was then sentenced to be hanged on Dec. 10, 1907, but
he wrote an intelligent letter to the Governor begging a respite and
was granted one until January 11, 1908, On that date, he was hanged
from a gallows on the third floor of the main corridor of the Knox
County Jail, WMXKHEXKX Early on the morning of his execution, he
attempted suicide by gashing his throat and his wrists with the edge ~
of a spoon, but the wounds were not serious and, after they had been
dressed, he spent his remaining time singing and reading the Bible,
seemingly in a good mood, At the last minute, ‘all of the black cler-
» gymen in Knoxville joined in signing a telegram to Governor Patterson
requesting a further delay of five days in order that Turner might MiG
better prepare himself for death, but the Governor refused any further
intervention, Shortly before he went to the gallows, he asked to see
his victim's husband and when Scott was brought to him, he begged for
Biv GnEES? saying he was ready to die for his crime, Scott's pardon
was granted and the two men shook handse
KNOXVILLE SENTINEL, Knoxville, Tennessee, Jan, 11, 1908, (Woodcut
likeness, page one,) Unable to find appeals record,
be hanged. The case was appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court on
the grounds of the "affinity" defense and this body affirmed the con-
biction with Judge M. M. Neal stating: "The idea of affinity does not
exist, should not exist and does not enter into this case, and is an
absurd idea when applied to any crime in which a human life has been
taken." Turner was then sentenced to be hanged on Dece 10, 1907, but
he wrote an intelligent letter to the Governor begging a respite and
was granted one until January 11, 1908, On that date, he was hanged
from a gallows on the third floor of the main corridor of the Knox
County Jail, QHXKMEXHX Early on the morning of his execution, he
attempted suicide by gashing his throat and his wrists with the edge ©
of a spoon, but the wounds were not serious and, after they had been
dressed, he spent his remaining time singing and reading the Bible,
seemingly in a good mood, At the last minute, all of the black cler-
gymen in Knoxville joined in signing a telegram to Governor Patterson
requesting a further delay of five days in order that Turner might
better prepare himself for death, but the Governor refused any furthe
intervention, Shortly before he went to the gallows, he asked to see
his victim's husband and when Scott was brought to him, he begged for.
sayi he was ready to die for his crime, Scott's pardon
Grererented tha che two men sa handse
KNOXVILLE SENPINEL, Knoxville, Tennessee, Jan, 11, 1908, (Woodeut
likeness, page one.) Unable to find appeals record,
be hanged, The case was appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court on
the grounds of the "affinity" defense and this body affirmed the con-
wiction with Judge M, M, Neal stating: "The idea of affinity does not
exist, should not exist and does not enter into this case, and is an
absurd idea when applied to any rrime in vhich a human life has been
taken," Turner was then sertenced to be hanged on Dec. 10, 1907, but,
he wrote an intelligent letter to the Governor begging a respite and
was granted one until January 11, 1908, On that date, he was hanged
from a gallows on the third floor of the main corridor of the Knox
County Jail, @HXMMKXHX Early on the morning of his execution, he
attempted suicide by gashing his throat and his wrists with the edge
of a spoon, but the wounds were not serious and, after they had been
dressed, he spent his remaining time singing and reading the Bible,
better prepare himself for death, but the Governor refused any furthey
intervention, Shortly before he went to the gallows, he asked to see
his victim's husband and when Scott was brought to him, he begged for.
giveness, 5: ready to die for his crime, Scott's pardon
was granted and the two men shook hands.
KNOXVILLE SENDINEL, Knoxville, Tennessee, Jan, 11, 1908, (Woodeut
likeness, page one.) Unable to find appeals record,
Hi
ah
TURNER, Peter W.
Turner, a 37-year-old black man, was born in Florence, Ala,, the son
of former slaves, He left home and contact with his family at an
early age and lived in Kentucky and South Carolina before moving to
Knoxville, Tenn., in 1902, An intelligent and self-educated man, he
worked as a newspaper vendor and became friendly with William B,
Scott, a black waiter, and his wife Minnie, In time, he and Minnie
Scott fell in love but neither wished to offend Scott by her asking
him for a divorce, On the night of March 15, 1907, they met by pre-
arrangement and, after drinking a bottle of whiskey that Tumer pro=-
vided, he shot her through the breast. Turner then went to his own
home at 405 Butler Street and remained indoors for two days, refusing
to answer any knocks, He then went to Middlesboro for two days and
returned to Knoxville where he was placed under arrest and confessed,
Scott, who had intercepted a letter written to his wife by Turner
had become suspicious when she disappeared and ax after her body
was found, he had offered a $25.00 reward for the arrest of Turner,
4t his trial, Turner said that he and Minnie had loved each other
and that oh ee ee a pat they Powe eaee pee eo Sen an
1e sai j c e pistol to ow
penaeora pulled Eiedcrigrenreutiohe gun would not fire egaine ils
defense was that he was not guilty of first degree murder in that she
had assented to her own death but he was convicted and sentenced to
TURNER, Peter W.
Turner, a 37-year-old black man, was born in Florence, Ala,, the son
of former slaves. He left home and contact with his family at an
early age and lived in Kentucky and South Carolina before moving to
Knoxville, Tenn, in 1902, An intelligent and self-educated man, he
worked as a newspaper vendor and became friendly with William B,
Scott, a black waiter, and his wife Minnie. In time, he and Minnie
Scott fell in love but neither wished to offend Scott by her asking
him for a divorce. On the night of March 15, 1907, they met by pre-
arrangement and, after drinking a bottle of whiskey that Turner pro=
vided, he shot her through the breast. Turner then went to his own,
home at 05 Butler Street and remained indoors for two days, refusing
to answer any knocks, He then went to Middlesboro for two days and
returned to Knoxville where he was placed under arrest and confessed,
Scott, who had intercepted a letter written to his wife by Turner
had become suspicious when she disappeared and kam after her body
was found, he had offered a $25.00 reward for the arrest of Turner,
At his trial, Turner said that he and Minnie had loved ‘each other
and that he had suggested that they both die, pas had aseent ed an
héai"and pulfed the “trfeesetnnerehe bad plarge thepistol yo hig. o
defense was that he was not guilty of first degree murder in that she
had assented to her own death but he was convicted and sentenced to
TURNER, Peter W.
Turner, a 37-year-old black man, was born in Florence, Ala, the son
of former slaves, He left home and contact with his family at an
early age and lived in Kentucky and South Carolina before moving to
Knoxville, Tenn,, in 1902, An intelligent and self-educated man, he
worked as a newspaper vendor and became friendly with William B,
Scott, a black waiter, and his wife Minnie, In time, he and Minnie
Scott fell in love but neither wished to off
him for a divorce,
suggested ey both die, She had assented anc
had plage she,estal fe Hyon
t he had that thi
palfedine*trtgeee beh
e gun
uilty of first degree murder in that she
but he was convicted and sentenced to
defense was that he was not
had assented to her own deat!
cette at Ts tk Glo fee, Sure mde fh
ie he ee peed pure suns
