1886: Hattie Phillips, octaroon, killed, TX.

Houston, April 29.-James Walker charged with the killing of Hattie Phillips, the octaroon, on the 22d of August, was arraigned to-day in Criminal Court. The room was crowded with whites and blacks, great interest being taken in the case. The special venire was exhausted in the selection of the jury. About ten witnesses were examined in all, who consumed about three hours in testifying. The defense was a plea of insanity. The testimony showed that the crime was of a very brutal character, apparently without palliating circumstances. The plea of insanity was ingenuously presented from very little evidence of a direct character. During the trial the prisoner was very quiet and cool, as he was during the original examination on the day of the tragedy. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree, and fixed the punishment at imprisonment for life.

Source: The Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas, Friday, April 30, 1886; Pg. 8