Ex Parte Davis

This is an original proceeding in habeas corpus. It is made to appear that on June 14, at the negro village of Clearview in Okfuskee county, petitioner Luttie Davis, with a Colts revolver, shot one J. E. Thompson four times, killing him almost instantly. Three of the wounds were inflicted from the rear, two of them near the backbone. All the parties are negroes. The deceased had been a deputy sheriff and at times worked under the direction of the sheriff among members of his race. On the day in question the petitioners were at the town and with others of their race engaged in a crap game at a…