Slayer of Chief of Police Oakes at Raeford-Insanity Plea

Contact: Myrtle Bridges

Judge Ferguson, presiding over Hoke County Superior Court, today sentenced John Cameron to 20 years in State penitentiary. 
Cameron yesterday pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree, having killed Chief of Police Oakes and wounded three 
other men her last August.

Last night's session completed the expert testimony of Dr. J. Allison Hodges, who despite the severe cross examination by 
Attorney E.J. Justice of Greensboro, stuck closely to the theory that Cameron was mentally unbalanced at the time of the 
homicide last August.

Dr. Peter Munroe of the North Carolina Medical College of Charlotte was called to the stand and responded with a corroboration 
of the testimony of Dr. Hodges. Court then adjourned until 9:30 today.

The only expert witness on the stand was Dr. G.W. Brown of Raeford, who testified that he examined Cameron on the day of the 
homicide and that there was no symptom of insanity then. Dr. Brown testified that he had known Cameron for several years and 
that he had never believed him to be mentally unbalanced, but that he was often crazed with alcoholic drink.

Cameron, who is the son of County Commissioner S.J. Cameron, is a member of one of the most prominent and wealthy families of 
Hoke county. The Camerons are among the largest of Hoke's landowners.

J.A. Cameron was charged with driving from his home in the county in Raeford last August, &qiot;shooting up the town&qiot; and shooting 
down the chief of police, when the latter interfered and undertook to check his exciting and spectacular performance.

Solicitor N.A. Sinclair was assisted in the prosecution of Cameron by E.J. Justice, of Greensboro; R.L. Wright of Salisbury; 
J.W. Currie and B.A. Justice, of Raeford. For the defense, McIntyre, Lawrence & Proctor, of Lumberton; Shaw & McLean & H.L. Cook, 
of Fayetteville; Thomas & Whitty and H.S. Kirkpatrick, of Raeford, and W.D. Siler, of Siler City.

The slain officer was originally from High Point. A special venire of 200 men was summonsed.

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This page created January 4, 2015