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Expert: - 4/1/2007


Question
An uncle,Curtis Shedd of Walhalla,S.C. was executed in N.C. in 1951 for the murders of two children and their father. Their last name was Boyter. the trial was held in Macon county in 1950. I have this information from a couple of old newspaper clippings. All four were from S.C. but the bodies were found in Rabun County and Highlands N.C. I also have this, State v. Shedd,233 N.C. 311 (1951)but do not have a clue what it is about. I want to get a copy of the trial transcript,and how to get it. I am interested in how to get any information on this.

Answer
Jean,

   If the trial transcript even exists it would be very expensive to get it.  In those days the record of the trial would have been kept by a stenographer who does not type in Englsih.  It is more of a type of shorthand.  You would have to get someone to transcribe the shorthand and if it was in 1951 there is probably no one around who would be able to deciphere the person's shorthand.  Even if it was it would be incredibly expensive and most likely the transcript would bore you to death.  What you really need are newspaper articles about the case, arrest, and trial.  Usually these are fairly easy to obtain from the newspapers themselves or from the libraries in the towns where all of this took place.  It takes a lot of digging and hopefully you still live in the area where all of this took place because the newspapers (unless they are online) and the librarians probably are not going to do the work for you.


    If you care to give me your email address I will email you two articles from the Washington Post database from 1950.

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Jack Toomey

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Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. Only a judge could answer a question like that. I am also NOT a probation officer or parole officer so I cannot answer questions that relate to parole or probation. Also please keep in mind that every state has different laws. If you are planning to ask a question about a specific law or criminal charge that pertains to your state only it could be difficult to answer. I also cannot give you legal advice on what to do or what not to do in court. Retired police officer with 26 years experience. Worked in the patrol division as well as over 14 years in the detective bureau. Investigated a wide range of crime such as murder, rape, robbery, theft, fraud, missing persons, and other very sensitive crimes. I am available to answer your questions about criminal law and especially as it applies to police work. I taught at the police academy for several years and am especially knowledgeable about search and seizure. Any question about criminal law is welcome! Please don't ask me to do your homework or ask me questions that obviously come from your teachers or professors. I also do not do online interviews or surveys. Young people need to gain face to face interviewing skills. Local police officers usually are very agreeable to assist in these assignments.

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I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience. I investigated almost every type of crime including murder, rape, theft, missing persons, fraud, and domestic abuse. I am very knowledgeable about search and seizure and taught at the police academy for several years on a variety of subjects. I can answer questions that a lot of attorneys cannot since they do not have "street experience".

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Bachelor of Science degree in Criminolgy from the University of Maryland.

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