Coker Case is Continued to February Term September 28, 1936 Failure to serve citations on two of the state’s most important witnesses by Dallas County officers, caused postponement of the State vs M. B. Coker, charged with murder until the February, 1937 term of court. Judge Ralph Yarbrough of Austin, native of Henderson County, came here to preside in the case. After a telephone conversation with Dallas County officers, District Attorney Tom Pickett learned that Mr. and Mrs. William Foster had not been served with citations and announced that the State could not proceed without these two witnesses. Attorney W. D. Justice for Coker said that he would not insist on a trial and Judge Yarbrough then announced that the case would be reset for February 22. Judge Yarbrough took occasion to say that there was no reflection on Henderson County officers in the citation not being served as it was entirely in the hands of the Dallas County officers. Dallas officers said they were unable to locate the two witnesses. One hundred and fifty special venire men and more than one hundred witnesses had been summoned for the trial. Mr. and Mrs. Foster, the missing witnesses, were summoned by the State. They were residing on the Coker farm when the tragedy occurred and Mrs. Foster is said to have been the second person to reach the scene of the tragedy. Judge to Try Civil Cases Judge Yarbrough will remain here this week trying civil cases. Judge Royal R. Watkins was also back on the bench this morning and will try civil cases in the special district court being held in the county courtroom. Native of County Judge Yarbrough, like Judge Royall R. Watkins, is a native of Henderson County. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Yarbrough of Chandler and was born in that town and graduated from the Chandler High School. Later he taught school for two years at Delta and one year at Martin Springs. He studied law while teaching school. Judge Yarbrough expressed pleasure at being back among homefolks. Addressing the large crowd assembled for the trial after the case had been continued, he told of his early days in the county and said that when he taught school at Delta that Pat Beard, district Clerk-elect was his star pupil. The judge said he would always love Henderson County. “The fish in the Neches and Kickapoo bite better and are larger and the squirrels in the woods seem to run faster than anyplace else,” he said in reminiscing of his early days here. Judge Yarbrough is another native son who has gone high in his profession. He served as assistant attorney general and the governor has frequently said that he was the best lawyer that ever served in that department. Recognizing his ability, Governor Allred appointed him district judge at Austin for an unexpired term. This past summer Judge Yarbrough was re-elected, defeating his opponent more than two to one. He makes a fine appearance on the bench and dispatches the business of the court in a fine manner. Numerous citizens of Chandler came up to renew acquaintances with him following the postponement of the trial.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 00:14:42 +0000
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