Winnes Murder Trial 1921 Harlan Co Submitted by Mary Lou Hudson Middlesboro Daily News, Middlesboro, KY Jan. 13, 1921 Indictment Found Against Dr. Winnes In Parsons Case Harlan Grand Jury Acts After Extensive Probe -- Trial Will Begin Next Thursday - Bond Fixed At $10,000 Harlan, Ky., Jan. 13 -- Dr. H.C. Winnes, former State veterinarian, was indicted yesterday by the Harlan county grand jury for the murder of Miss Lara Parsons, Pine Mountain school teacher, whose body was found a short distance from a mountain trial leading to the Pine Mountain settlement schol (sic) on September 9, two days after she had been assaulted and murdered. The indictment of Dr. Winnes marks the first definite step taken by Harlan county authorities to prosecute the case, thought previous to the session of the grand jury several thorough and exhaustive probes have been conducted. Dr. Winnes was in the courtroom when the indictment was returned against him. Following the submission of the indictment to the Circuit Judge W.T. Davis, Commonwealth's Attorney J.G. Forrester requested the court to fix Dr. Winnes bond at $10,000. Judge Davis fixed the bond in this amount, which was given by Dr. Winnes. His bond was signed by George Howard, of Harlan County, and D.C. Jones and Former Judge Hall, his attorneys. Only one indictment was returned in the Parsons case. Jerry Reed, negro, was held to the grand jury at the same time with Dr. Winnes, but the grand jury failed to return any indictment against him. Trial of the case against Dr. Winnes will began here in circuit court on Thursday, January 20, it was announced late yesterday afternoon. Both the defense and the prosecution have agreed to try the case immediately and both sides will answer ready when the case is called by Judge Davis. When the grand jury first began its investigations last week, Judge Davis stated he would try the case during the present term of court if it was the wish of the defense and the Commonwealth. To do this Judge Davis has postponed his civil docket until the next term of court. It became known yesterday morning that an indictment would be returned against Dr. Winnes. The indictment charging Dr. Winnes with the murder of Miss Parsons was voted for unanimously by all members of the grand jury, according to several person who attended all proceedings of the court during the past few days. The jury during the past several days has devoted its entire time to the investigation of the murder of Miss Parsons. Appeals from various sections of the state urging that a thorough investigation be made, led Harlan authorities to probe every possible angle of the murder. ______________________________ Middlesboro Daily News, Middlesboro, Ky Jan. 22, 1921 Special Venire Of 100 Is Summoned To Try Dr. Winnes Hearing Of Evidence In Case Not To Start Before Monday Or Tuesday -- Feeling In Harlan County Is Intense. Harlan, Ky., Jan. 22 -- Hearing of evidence in the trial of Dr. H.C. Winnes, charged with the murder of Miss Lura Parsons, Pine Mountain Settlement school teacher, will not start before Monday or Tuesday of next week. A special venire of 100 talisman, from which to choose the jury that will try Dr. Winnes, was summoned by Sheriff H.H. Howard of Harlan county. Circuit Judge W.T. Davis instructed the sheriff to go outside the county, if necessary, to get enough men. It is expected that at least two days will be occupied in selecting the jury. The feeling in the community is very intense over the trial, and Harlan is thronged with people of the surrounding towns, who began collecting here several days ago. The hotels are overflowing, and more people are pouring in all the time. One hears the trial discussed on all sides -- in the railway station, in the trains, on the streets, in the hotels -- by both men and women. That is a reason why the court officials feel there may be some difficulty in obtaining a jury. The case has caused so much comment throughout Harlan county, and a majority of the citizens are believed to have expressed their opinions. ______________________________