Slain Indian Is Victorious in Symbolic N. Carolina Vote

Slain Lumbee Indian candidate Julian T. Pierce outpolled Joe Freeman Britt in unofficial returns for superior court judge in Robeson County, although by law, the surviving candidate will assume the office in December.

The voting on Tuesday was symbolic, and Pierce’s supporters said it had meaning to the minority residents’ struggle to rid the county of discrimination and corruption. The county’s population of about 100,000 is 37% American Indian, 37% white and 26% black.

Britt, the county’s district attorney, was automatically the winner of the Democratic nomination for the new state superior court judgeship after his opponent died. Pierce was shot to death in his home March 26, in what authorities said was a domestic dispute. A man has been charged with murder and another suspect committed suicide before he could be arrested, authorities said.

According to unofficial tallies from 28 of the 40 precincts, Pierce received 7,652 votes to Britt’s 5,238 in the judgeship race.

Elections Board Chairman Murchison Biggs said state law prohibits official counting or publishing of the Britt-Pierce returns because there was no contest. The totals were figured by reporters from early, unofficial results.

Two Lumbee Indians took over the offices of the Robesonian newspaper on Feb. 1 to protest alleged discrimination against minorities in the area. The siege ended when Gov. James G. Martin agreed to appoint a task force.