THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, June 13, 1929

Lawton Deen, young white man of the Haw Creek community, was shot late Saturday night by a Negro named A. White, who it was stated, was in drunken condition. According to witnesses Mr. Deen had sent to Bunnell by another Negro for some articles and had gone to the Negro’s house to get them and upon entering the house was shot by the Negro without provocation.

Deen, who was shot in the abdomen, made his way to the home of Mrs. H. W. Poff where he fell from exhaustion in the yard. Assistance from Bunnell was sent for and after arrival of several persons from here, including Dr. Reddin Britt, Deen was carried to a hospital in Daytona Beach, where Deen succumbed Sunday night.

The Negro who shot Deen was arrested soon afterwards by Constable J. L. Pellicer and lodged in jail here, but was removed to St. Augustine the next day. After the death of Deen an inquest was held with Justice M. Stone, in charge. The coroner’s jury rendered a verdict of murder in the first degree against the Negro. It was stated by Justice Stone that Deen before his death, identified the Negro as being his assailant.

Levi Deen, of Alma Ga., and father of the dead man, arrived here Sunday afternoon and went to Daytona Beach to claim the body, which was taken back to the home of the family for burial.

Since the inquest was held Justice Stone went to St. Augustine and interviewed state's attorney Julian C. Calhoun in an attempt to have a speedy trial for the Negro. Justice Stone said that the state's attorney would move to accomplish this as soon circuit court in St. Johns county is adjourned.

 

THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, December 12. 1929

FALL TERM CIRCUIT COURT ENDS SESSION TODAY WITH PRACTICALLY NO CASES BEING CARRIED OVER
Armond White Sentenced to Electric Chair for Murder

State of Florida vs. Armand White, colored. Indicted for murder in the first degree. Pleaded not guilty. Found guilty and sentenced to the electric chair at Raiford. Col. Nelson, of St. Augustine, was appointed by the court to represent the defendant.

Armand ·White was indicted for murder in the first degree for the murder of young Lawton A. Deen in the Haw Creek section a few months ago. The deceased was the son of Levi Deen of Alma, Geogia.

White was arraigned at a preliminary hearing on September 25 when he pled not guilty. The court cautioned the defendant that he need not make a statement, as anything he night say could be used against him . Whereupon the defendant expressed desire to make a statement and stated that the shooting was accidental and that he was not guilty of murder in the first degree.

The court after hearing his statement ordered White remanded to jail without bond to await action of the term of the grand jury, and ordered the following witnesses to appear: J. T. Anglin, Mary Sweet, Solomon Anderson, R. W. Deen and J. L Pellicer, all testifying at this term of court.