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The Newberry Observer - Oct 17,
1939
Anderson Moon Trial Is Set For Next Friday Judge
Thomas Sease Sets Friday Morning at 9:30 as Time for Trial of
Anderson Moon for Murder of Policeman Krell.
Anderson Moon,
negro, was arranged this (Monday) morning in criminal court and the
time of his trial for the murder of City Policeman G. P. Krell was
set for Friday morning at 9:30.
Counsel for the defense, Gary
Paschal, Columbia attorney, sought a continuance of the trial beyond
this term of court on the grounds that he had not been able to
secure a private conference with the accused. Paschal stated that in
the conferences which he had held with the negro in the penitentiary
a number of guards had been present and were in a position to hear
the conversation.
Motion for continuance was denied by Judge
Sease and the time for the beginning of the trial was then set for
Friday morning, October 20, at 9:30 a. m. Court convened early this
morning and disposed of a number of minor cases in which pleas of
guilty were entered.
Solicitor Hugh S. Beasley will prosecute
Moon for murder Friday morning and will be assisted by several
Newberry attorneys. Gray Paschal, is representing the
negro.
Wide interest in the Moon case resulted in a courtroom
packed with spectators this morning. No disorder occurred during the
session.
The Newberry Observer - Aug 25, 1939
Pistol Shot
Wound Is Fatal To Officer Krell
Newberry Policeman Passes Early
Tuesday Morning From Pistol Shot Wound
Received Sunday Night at
Hands of Anderson Moon, Colored.
City Police
Officer a Forest Krell passed away Tuesday morning, August 22nd at
the Newberry County hospital, from wounds received last Sunday night
about 8 o'clock when he was shot by a local negro, Anderson Moon, in
the performance of his duties.
Officer J. J. Hitt who was
with Officer Krell at the time of the shooting, relates that they
had been called to the James Moon house where James Moon had shot
his wife In the foot. James Moon had been arrested and Officer Hitt
went back into the house to find the pistol with which the negro had
shot his wife. He was unable to find the pistol, so when he came out
officer Krell went back in the house to sec if he could find
it.
Officer Hitt says that Officer Krell was in the house
only a very short time before he heard a shot and Officer Krell
staggered out the door saying "Anderson Moon shot me".
ASSISTANCE
SUMMONED
Officer Hitt stopped several passers-by to
assist him in holding two negroes whom he said ran out of the house
and the negro James Moon, son of Anderson Moon, whom he already had
arrested, and other passers-by immediately summoned aid at the
police headquarters and sheriff's office.
Search was begun
immediately for Anderson Moon, age 58, and quite a crowd of
Newberrians gathered to assist in the hunt.
Sheriff T. M.
Fellers, Learning that Mr. Ralph Baker knew the negro, Anderson
Moon, and occasionally employed him on odd jobs of carpentry, sent
word to Mr. Baker that he would like to see him.
SHERIFF'S STATEMENT
Sheriff T. M.
Fellers made the following statement to this reporter relative to
the arrest of Anderson Moon: "I was called to the scene where
Policeman Forest Krell was shot.
After I found out who had
shot him, knowing that he had worked at different times for Mr. R.
B. Baker, I felt sure that he would, if he could, get in contact
with Mr. Baker, and as I was anxious to apprehend the negro I sent
word to Mr. Baker to come to Newberry, which he did. However, I
failed to see him as I was busy helping in the search, and I left
word for Mr. Baker that if Moon came to him, for him to take charge
of him and notify me. I presume that Mr. Baker, after sensing the
situation while he was in Newberry and on his return to his home,
where he found Moon was waiting for him, thought it best to take
Moon on to Columbia, from which place I was notified of his
whereabouts. "I want to take this means of thanking the people of
Newberry for their fine cooperation and consideration in helping the
officers in their search."
Mr. Baker relates that he carried
the negro to the state penitentiary where they would not admit him
as papers would first have to be signed for his admittance by the
governor. He then went to the Columbia police headquarters and
turned the negro over to authorities there and called Sheriff
Fellers to this effect.
KRELL FUNERAL WEDNESDAY
Mr. Krell was
shot in the abdomen by the negro, the pistol ball entering the left
side about the stomach and coming out the right side in the back. He
was immediately rushed to the hospital and two surgeons from
Columbia immediately summoned. He underwent two blood transfusions
and a major operation Sunday night, suffering much pain all the
while. His condition remained critical all day Monday and death came
Tuesday morning about one o'clock at the hospital.
The
funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at three p. m. from
the James R. Leavell Funeral Home, with services conducted by Rev.
B. F. Rogers aiwi Rev. V. L. Fulmer. Interment was in Rosemont
cemetery, Members of Amity Lodge. No. 87, conducted
Masonic burial services at the graveside. Active pallbearers were:
O. P. Davenport, Qua Holm, Olaf Dahlgren, Ryan Hill, D. W. Clemmer,
I. Kaplan, P, N. Abrams and J. O. Longshore. Honorary pallbearers
were members of the police and sherrif's force and the city
council.
Mr. Krell was born and reared below prosperity in
Newberry county and attended the schools of his section. He was from
a large family connection and since coming to Newberry 22 years ago
made countless friends who are grieved to learn of his sudden death.
For the past eight years he served faithfully as a city policeman,
prior to that he served about the same number of years as an
employee of C. T. Summer and company, and for four years prior to
that was an employee of the Newberry cotton mill.
Mr. Krell
was a brave and fearless officer and could be depended upon to give
his best for the city. He knew no danger and was as brave as men get
to be. His willingness to do his best and the right thing indelibly
impressed! citizen of the city as being one of the best policeman on
the Newberry force. The ever beaming countenance and smile of Mr.
Krell will linger as a remembrance of a man almost universally loved
by all Newberrians. He was big and strong and ready and always
appeared pleased and happy while at work. He will be
missed.
Mr. Krell is survived by his widow, who formerly was
Miss Emma Morris of the county; three sons and one daughter, Heyward
Krell, Harrell Krell, Ray Krell and Mrs. Brunelle Schembs, all of
Newberry; his father and step-mother. Mr. and Mrs. George F. Krell
of Prosperity: six brothers. John Lester Krell of Johnson City,
Tenn., Colie B. Krell, policeman of Augusta, Ga., William Krell.
Laurens; Claude, Roy and Eugene Krell of Prosperity, and four
sisters, Mrs. Agnes Stockman, Mrs. Lottie Bowers, all of Prosperity,
and Mrs. Lottie Bowers, all of Newberry.
James R. Leavell Funeral
Home in charge.
The Herald-Journal - Aug. 30, 1939
Newberry Jury
Holds Negro in Death of Krell
Inquest is Held in Fatal Shooting
of Officer, August 20.
Newberry. Aug. 29.-A
coroner's jury tonight found that Forrest Krell, popular city
policeman came to his death by a bullet wound inflicted from a
pistol in the hands of "Old Man Anderson Moon." a 60-year-old negro,
and recommended that he be held.
The state was represented by
Solicitor Hugh Beasley and Steve Griffith, city attorney.
The
only witness was Jess J. Hitt, who had accompanied Mr. Krell the
night he was shot. He testified that they had gone to a negro house
where they arrested James Moon, son of Anderson, for shooting his
wife in the foot. While a search was under
way for the pistol, Mr. Krell entered the house
and almost instantly Mr. Hitt
heard a pistol report. Upon investigation he found Krell who told
him "old Anderson Moon got me, he killed me" Mr. Hitt
found Mr Krell's pistol in his holster and his blackjack in his
right hand hip pocket. Indicating that the officer had not attempted
to use either his his pistol or blackjack, according to the
witness.
Mr. Krell was shot Sunday night. August 20, and died
the following Tuesday morning at a local hospital. The bullet passed
through his abdomen.
Due to the excitement and feeling in the
case Anderson Moon was placed in the state penitentiary to remain
for trial in October. A large crowd attended the Inquest tonight.
The Newberry Observer - Oct 13, 1939
Anderson
Moon Case Be Tried This Term Court
Slayer of Policeman G. F.
Krell to Be Tried Next Week-Other Cases
Come
Criminal court convenes in New-berry Monday,
October 16th with Judge Thomas S. Sense on the bench. The court
roster includes a large number of cases, chief of which will be the
trial of Anderson Moon for the murder of Policeman G. P. Krell. Moon
will be represented by Attorney Gary Paschal of Columbia. It is
understood that Solicitor Beasley for the state will have several
Newberry attorneys assisting him.
It was impossible to get a
complete roster of all cases to be tried next week, however the
following are a few of the cases that will come up in addition to
the Anderson Moon case: J. O. Daniels for burglary, Willie Strother
for Peeping Tom, Dick Smith for assault with intent to ravish. L. B.
Evans for assault and battery with intent to kill, Eugene Mangrum
for assault and battery with intent to kill, Sonnie Johnson for
assault and battery with intent to kill; William Mangrum for murder;
Archie Lee Ruff for violation of liquor law, and others.
Herald-Journal - Oct 22, 1939
Newberry Negro Gets
Life Term
(Special to Herald-Journal)
Newberry.
Oct. 21. - Anderson Moon, negro carpenter and former WPA laborer,
was convicted here today of murder with a recommendation of mercy in
the killing of Policeman Forest Krell last August 20. Judge Thomas S
Sease presiding over general sessions court here, sentenced Moon to
life term at hard labor in the penitentiary.
The verdict was
reached after three hours of deliberation, the jurors having gone to
the jury room at 12:45 p.m.. and returning a verdict at 3:45 p.m. J.
Alvin Kinard of Pomaria was foreman of the jury.
Before
sentence was pronounced attorneys for the defense asked for a new
trial on a claim "that the verdict rendered was not consistent with
the charge given by the court " The motion was overruled by Judge
Sease.
Slain While On Duty
Officer
Krell was fatally shot when he entered the house of
James Moon, a son of Anderson Moon, in search of a pistol which the
latter was supposed to have used in the shooting of his wife a short
time before, according to testimony at the trial.
Policeman
Hitt, who accompanied Krell, testified that the shot rang out
shortly after Krell entered the front room of the house. Anderson
Moon testified that the officer was holding and beating him when the
shot was fired.
Mrs. Krell, wife of the slain officer,
testified her husband told her its a dying declaration that he
"could have killed Moon but did not want to die with the blood on
his hands."
The defendant was represented by Gary Paschal,
assisted by his partner, John W. Scholenberger, of Columbia, while
Solicitor Hugh Beasley was assisted by Blease and Griffith and
Thomas H. Pope in the prosecution.
Throng Attends Trial
Large crowds
were turned away from the courthouse during the two-day trial.
Intense interest being manifested in the outcome of the
case.
Forest Krell was regarded by city and county officers as
one of the best officers in this section. Moon appeared unperturbed
throughout his trial, smiling as the jury filed in from the room,
where his fate was decided.
Moon is said to be the grandson
of a former member of the house of representatives from Newberry
county during Radical days.
Anderson Moon Gets Life Sentence For the Murder of
Officer Krell
Krell Slayer Sentenced to Penitentiary at Hard
Labor for Remainder of Natural Life as Jury Recommends Mercy.
The
Newberry Observer - Oct. 24, 1939
Anderson Moon,
negro, was found guilty with a recommendation of mercy by the jury
in the murder of Policeman Forrest Krell after the jury had
deliberated for three hours. The verdict came at 3:40 o'clock
Saturday afternoon.
The case concluded the term of criminal
court as the few remaining cases were continued until the next
session.
Convening at 9:30 Friday morning after a two-day recess,
the court began the consideration of the case of the State versus
Anderson Moon, indicted for the murder of officer Krell. The court
room was packed with spectators from the beginning until the end of
the trial.
Solicitor Hugh Beasley for the State was assisted
by Attorneys Blease. Griffith and Pope. Gary Paschal, Columbia
lawyer, represented the defendant. First witness for the state was
Policeman Hitt who testified that the shot was fired almost
instantly after the deceased entered the room where the negro
was.
Appearing as principal witnesses during the course of
the trial were Hitt, Sheriff Fellers, the defendant, Dr. Thomas
Pope, Ralph Baker and Mrs. Krell.
The defense based its case
on self defense, the negro claiming that Krell was beating him at
the time he shot the officer. Mr. Hitt testified that the blackjack
which the negro claimed Krell was using was in the hip pocket of
Krell "when he staggered out of the room. The witnesses were heard
thru out, the day Friday. Counsel for both sides consumed the entire
morning Saturday with their addresses to the jury. Judge Sease
completed his charge and sent the case to the Jury at 12:40 Saturday
afternoon.
Three hours' later the jury returned with the
verdict which made life imprisonment mandatory. The defendant
remained unperturbed as the jury filed into their seats before a
tense crowd of spectators. A half-smile was on his face as the clerk
prepared to read the verdict.
There was no demonstration of
any kind during the trial and the audience received the verdict in
utter silence. Defense counsel moved for a new ferial on the basis
of "mitigating" circumstances which was promptly denied by Judge
Sease.
The prisoner stood to receive the verdict, surrounded
by officers. "I sentence you to serve the remainder of your natural
life at hard labor on the public works of this county or in the
state penitentiary," the judge said. Thus the October term of court
came to a close and the case of the State versus Anderson Moon was
finished.
Members of the jury were as follows- H. L. Suber,
E. W. Derrick, E. S. Shealy, H. W. Thomas, B. H. Caldwell, G. B.
Brehmer. J. Alvin Kinard, P. K. Douglas, G. E. Young, Prank W.
Andrews, John Brehmer, and L. C. Derrick.
Moon was taken to
the state' penitentiary in Columbia Saturday afternoon.
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