Kate’s Notes: Anna Grace Gilliland was the youngest child of William and Anna Gilliland, long of Tennessee lineage. In the 1920 census for Roane County, TN, the family was recorded as William, aged 53, a farmer; wife Anna, aged 49; sons Ralph V., John W., Reece, Ed, Richard and Robert; daughters Freddie, Clara and Anna G.

The Kingsport Times
Kingsport, Tennessee
2 September, 1931

SLAYER OF GIRL 
CLAIMS INSANITY
____________

KINGSTON, Tenn., Sept.  2. (AP)
    A defense that Roy Chitwood, 24, was temporarily insane when he allegedly shot and killed Miss Anna Grace Gilliland, 21, at a dance at Harriman last March, was offered today at the trial of the youth in criminal court.
    Miss Gilliland, a high school graduate and a former sweetheart of Chitwood, was shot as she left the home of C. W. Whitcomb in company of her escort, Garland Alley. A group of young people had gathered at the home to dance.
    The youth’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Chitwood testified yesterday there had been a gradual change in the mental condition of their son since early this year.
    Jean Allen said he saw Chitwood running from the house after the shooting and fall on the sidewalk. He said he appeared to be in a daze. Officers said they had to carry him to a car.
    Miss Ruth Silvey, chaperone of the party, said Miss Gilliland was walking out the door when Chitwood fired four times from a corner of the front porch. Two shots struck Miss Gilliland and another pierced the leg of Miss Virginia Morrow, University of Tennessee co-ed from Dallas, Texas.

-- transcription by Kate Maynard, 2010