Pelley Pays $1,000 Fine; Goes Free

William Dudley Pelley, Silver Shirt leader who was convicted in Buncombe County Superior Court last month on charges of violating the “blue sky” laws of the State of North Carolina, was sentenced by Judge Wilson Warlick today to serve one to two years in state’s prison. Robert C. Summerville, convicted with Pelley, also was sentenced to serve one to two years in state’s prison, but sentence in both cases was to be suspended on conditions enumerated by Judge Warlick. With regard to Pelley these included the payment of a $1,000 fine, court costs, and other stipulations.

Pelley’s attorneys, before one o’clock this afternoon paid to the bookkeeper in the office of the clerk of the Superior Court, the fine of $1,000 and trial costs, amounting to $719.50. No costs were assessed against Summerville.

Upon payment of the fine Pelley’s prison term was suspended for five years, on condition that he continue in good behavior during the period and that he not publish or distribute in North Carolina any periodicals, and particularly anything that has to do with stock sale transactions or reports of corporations. Summerville’s sentence was suspended on similar conditions.

As court opened today, Judge Warlick asked the attorneys for the state if they had any comment to make on the case. Solicitor Zeb V. Nettles replied that Pelley has been making “some drastic charges” against state’s attorneys.

“As for me,” the solicitor continued, “I have the skin of an elephant. These things merely drop off without piercing the skin.” But the other prosecuting attorneys, he said, “may not feel that way.”

The remark was understood to be a reference to Robert R. Williams and Thomas J. Harkins, both of whom appeared as attorneys for the state.