Elena

Landry Parish, particularly the ones who weren't convinced of Walter's guilt, many of them offered to pay to have Walter's witnesses put up in Opelousas during the trial. Wow. That's huge. They were that convinced. Yeah.

Landry Parish, particularly the ones who weren't convinced of Walter's guilt, many of them offered to pay to have Walter's witnesses put up in Opelousas during the trial. Wow. That's huge. They were that convinced. Yeah.

William Walters' trial for the kidnapping of Bobby Dunbar started in mid-April 1914 in Opelousas and was heavily attended by spectators from all over who had been following this case since Bobby disappeared. For Walters, the trial could mean life in prison or the death penalty if he was found guilty.

William Walters' trial for the kidnapping of Bobby Dunbar started in mid-April 1914 in Opelousas and was heavily attended by spectators from all over who had been following this case since Bobby disappeared. For Walters, the trial could mean life in prison or the death penalty if he was found guilty.

But for the Dunbars and Julia Anderson, it meant the opportunity to definitively prove the boy's identity and put any custody claims to rest. Now, the first witness called in the case was Percy Dunbar. He detailed the eight-month search for his son and testified that, quote, he recognized the child when he found him at Columbia.

But for the Dunbars and Julia Anderson, it meant the opportunity to definitively prove the boy's identity and put any custody claims to rest. Now, the first witness called in the case was Percy Dunbar. He detailed the eight-month search for his son and testified that, quote, he recognized the child when he found him at Columbia.

But he did acknowledge that, quote, he recognized some of the mark on the boy, but not all. Now, following his testimony were a number of witnesses for the prosecution, including Wallace Dunbar, his brother. They all testified that the boy discovered in the company of William Walters was indeed Bobby Dunbar. But none appeared to have offered any proof beyond just, like, I recognize him.

But he did acknowledge that, quote, he recognized some of the mark on the boy, but not all. Now, following his testimony were a number of witnesses for the prosecution, including Wallace Dunbar, his brother. They all testified that the boy discovered in the company of William Walters was indeed Bobby Dunbar. But none appeared to have offered any proof beyond just, like, I recognize him.

He's Bobby Dunbar. Which I understand that, like, what proof would you have? Yeah. As predicted, Walters' case was hampered by a lack of witnesses and a jury that was almost certainly biased against him from all the press that was covering the story. In an open letter to the people of Louisiana, one Walters supporter wrote, You have promised to give W.C. Walters a fair trial.

He's Bobby Dunbar. Which I understand that, like, what proof would you have? Yeah. As predicted, Walters' case was hampered by a lack of witnesses and a jury that was almost certainly biased against him from all the press that was covering the story. In an open letter to the people of Louisiana, one Walters supporter wrote, You have promised to give W.C. Walters a fair trial.

The man is now on trial in a hostile community without money and without friends. While it is late, it is not too late to render the justice promised for this man, whether he be guilty or innocent. So they're just saying he deserves a fair trial, whether he's guilty or innocent. Yeah. For his part, William Walters remained very hopeful that the jury was going to see the truth.

The man is now on trial in a hostile community without money and without friends. While it is late, it is not too late to render the justice promised for this man, whether he be guilty or innocent. So they're just saying he deserves a fair trial, whether he's guilty or innocent. Yeah. For his part, William Walters remained very hopeful that the jury was going to see the truth.

He couldn't rely on many of his witnesses to travel to Opelousas to testify on his behalf. But his lawyers had found several of the town's, quote unquote, prominent citizens who were willing to testify that the boy in question was not Bobby Dunbar. Oh, man. Among those who did travel to Louisiana for the trial were W.H.

He couldn't rely on many of his witnesses to travel to Opelousas to testify on his behalf. But his lawyers had found several of the town's, quote unquote, prominent citizens who were willing to testify that the boy in question was not Bobby Dunbar. Oh, man. Among those who did travel to Louisiana for the trial were W.H.

Murray, a mail carrier from Barnesville, North Carolina, who testified that the boy found with Walters was Bruce Anderson. Likewise, E.M. Stevens, who was a merchant from Barnesville, also testified and told the jury he was confident the boy was Bruce Anderson.

Murray, a mail carrier from Barnesville, North Carolina, who testified that the boy found with Walters was Bruce Anderson. Likewise, E.M. Stevens, who was a merchant from Barnesville, also testified and told the jury he was confident the boy was Bruce Anderson.

Both proved strong witnesses for the defense, but in their cross-examination, the prosecution treated both men as hostile and, according to one reporter, quote, succeeded in rattling Murray to some extent, basically undermining his credibility. Which is shitty, because you're essentially just like prodding your witness. Yeah, it's like, just let the facts come out, man. Right.

Both proved strong witnesses for the defense, but in their cross-examination, the prosecution treated both men as hostile and, according to one reporter, quote, succeeded in rattling Murray to some extent, basically undermining his credibility. Which is shitty, because you're essentially just like prodding your witness. Yeah, it's like, just let the facts come out, man. Right.

Let the facts fall where they may and figure it out that way. On April 22nd, Julia Anderson, who had been ill for most of the trial, testified from a cot set up in the lobby of the Lacombe Hotel near the courthouse. Oh, wow. She gave a thorough history of her difficult life and again said how her child had come to be in the company of William Walters.

Let the facts fall where they may and figure it out that way. On April 22nd, Julia Anderson, who had been ill for most of the trial, testified from a cot set up in the lobby of the Lacombe Hotel near the courthouse. Oh, wow. She gave a thorough history of her difficult life and again said how her child had come to be in the company of William Walters.