A special edition of the renowned Washington Haunts historic ghost walk will focus on the old courthouse that is supposedly inhabited by an accused murdered from the 19th century.

Saturday’s event will include a visit to the courtroom in the former Beaufort County courthouse, now headquarters for Beaufort-Hyde-Martin Regional Library, according to Washington Haunts guide Terry Rollins.

“While the courtroom is open to the public, this is the first time we’ve taken a ghost walk group inside,” Rollins noted.

There have been numerous reports of a ghostly presence in the second floor courtroom over the years. When the building was still used as a courthouse, workers saw and heard things that could not be explained. Even now, staff and patrons of the library have shared their experiences, Rollins said.

And it all can be traced back to a murder trial that was conducted in the building in the early 1850s.

George Washington Carawan, a Baptist minister from Hyde County, was charged with the murder of a local schoolteacher named Clement Lassiter.

Carawan believed Lassiter was having an affair with his wife and he was said to have killed the teacher in a jealous rage.

In order to seat an objective jury, and to accommodate the large crowd expected for the proceedings, the trial was moved to Beaufort County.

“It was one of the greatest murder trials in American history, second in popularity in the 19th century to that of Lizzie Borden,” said Rollins. “Supposedly people all over America knew about the trial, and it is still talked about to law students at Harvard and Yale.”

Few people were surprised when a guilty verdict was handed down. But that’s when things took an unexpected turn.

“As Rev. Carawan stood before the judge to receive his sentence, he pulled out a revolver and began firing in the courtroom,” Rollins said. “One bullet hit the lead prosecutor, a Mr. Warren, in the chest. With a second loaded revolver, Carawan killed himself … and since that day he has haunted the old courtroom.”

While previous Washington Haunts ghost walk tours have paused outside the historic courthouse, Saturday’s event will offer those taking the tour an insider’s view of the legendary courtroom.

“The old Beaufort County courthouse is probably the most haunted building in Beaufort County, in my opinion,” Rollins said. “This is a rare opportunity to see the courtroom at night and hear the full story.”

Rollins added that this weekend’s tour is possible because of the cooperation of BHM Regional Library director Hannah Easley. And he advised anyone taking the tour to dress for the weather since “the old courtroom is not heated, so people need to wear appropriate clothing.”

Cost of the tour is $10 per person, cash only. No reservations will be accepted but those wishing to take the tour are asked to meet at Harding Square on Stewart Parkway by 6:45 p.m. The tour begins promptly at 7 p.m. and the group will walk up Market Street to the old courthouse. The tour is expected to last about 45 minutes, according to Rollins.

For more information, visit the Washington Haunts Facebook page or contact Rollins at 252-402-8595.