Johnny Newsom, s/o Freddy Newsom, was given a
penitentiary term of 21 yrs by a jury in the
Floyd Circuit Court Wednesday Morning for the slaying of James
Nelson Boggs at Bevinsville in December. Mack Newsom,
Johnny Newsoms' cousin, who was indicted in the killings , has
not been given a trial yet The commonwealth offered a testimony
showing that the Newsoms were
creating a disturbance in the neighborhood when Boggs
inquired after the trouble,. This testimony
also shows that Newsom fired the first shot, Boggs
replying with one shot from a shotgun. The
defense evidence sought to prove that the shot that killed
Boggs was fired in self defense. Mr. Boggs was a native of Caines Creek , Lawrence Co Ky.
and was the brother of
W. S.. Boggs, court clerk of Lawrence County. He was married
to Ella Hall, daughter of Lee Hall and was living
just across the railroad tracks from Hall on left Beaver near
Buckingham. Mr. Boggs moved to Floyd Co five years
ago. He worked for the railroad. He leaves behind two children and
a pregnant wife.
On the night of the shooting , Mr. Boggs heard loud talking
and went out the front door of his
home, taking the gun with him. He found the disturbance at the
Hall's home. He called to Mrs. Hall, inquiring about
the disturbance, She answered that Mack and the Newsoms
were "taking the place". Boggs said if they did not
stop, he would call the law, according to a report filed here. The
Newsoms. who were said to have been drunk , made a
threatening reply and fired two shots at Boggs, the report
continues. He (Boggs) had a shotgun with one shell in it
and returned the fire hitting Mack in the leg. The
Newsoms fired two more shots , one passing through Boggs
Chest and he fell dead.
Link Music, placed on trial Wednesday , charged with
shooting and wounding with intent to kill, was given a 2 yr
sentence Wednesday afternoon. He is alleged to have shot
Crawford Sturgill on Stephens Branch last December at the Music home.
Sturgill recovered from his wound.
Source: 1-29-1932, Floyd Co Times