Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-09-16
LOCAL NEWS.
THE BRANNIN HOMICIDE.
Hearing In the Case.

An examination in the case Of policeman
Chas. w. Thompson, charged with shooting Lit
j. NJ. Brannin, of the military detectives, was
commenced this morning at the City Hall before
Justice Giberson. Lieut.. Brannin, it will be re-
membered, was shot on the night Of Tuesday,
the sth inst, on Pennsylvania avenue, near the
Central Hotel by officer Thompson, who with
officer Williams. had gone across the street
from the National Hotel to quell disordsrly
disturbance Brannin died about two hours
after the shooting, and the coroner held al in
quest on Wednesday morning. (Full particu-
lars of The testimony elected at the inquest
were published in the Star of Wednesday iast)
Omcer Thompson, who was taken in charge
h iha the military authorities, wBs confined in
Saturday last, when at the solicitation of Su.
perlntendent Webb he was handed over to the
civil authorities, and was admitted to bail In
the sum OF $5,UUU for his appearance this
morning before Justice Giberson at the City
Hall
At IL o'clock, the accused appeared, accom-.
panied by his bail, Mr.. Berry, and his brother,
Mr.. Richard Thompson, q clerk at the Metro.
politan Hotel, and Mr.. John H. Thompson.
clerk IN the z uartermaster's Department
a number OF the Metropolitan Police, Of the
different precincts OF the city, and Superinten.
dent Webb, were also present, and took 8 deep
interest III the examination.
The Messrs. Bradley and ex-Gov. Thomas
Ford, Of Ohio, appeared as counsel for the ac-
cused.
On account OF the large number Of persons
in attendance, the office OF the Seventh pre.
cinct station, III which it was proposed to have
the hearing, was found to be too small, and
consequently permission was obtained to have
he examination in the Aldermen's Chamber,
ind the Justice therefore adjourned his court
10 that chamber where the hearing was pro.
eeeded with at llH O'Clock.
Mr.. Thompson occupied q seat near his
counsel, at the table OF the Secretary OF the
Board OF Aldermen.
Capt. John ID. johnson, OF the Military Detec-
hres, was first sworn. lie testified as follows:
Between the hours OF II and o'clock Of We'd
nesday night, went mo the saloon OF the
Central Hotel for the purpose OF getting re-
1rtshments. Lieut.. Brannin left the saloon
some little time previous TO my leaving it, in
company with several gentlemen. Did not
rec0iiect who the gentlemen were. Witness
was sitting and talking TO Mr. Gelston and
eating watermelon, when a gentleman, who
witness did not know. came down and asked
witness thinks) the bar keeper whether Capt.
Johnson. was there. He came to me in The
small room and told me that Lieut.. Brannin
and two policemen had a difficulty on the side
walk, and wished me to come up to interfere
andprevent difficulty. Witness started up, ana
on first placing his loot on the pavement shot
was tired, and witness saw Lieut.. Brannin fall
INTO the gutter. Of course was horror stricken
at the circumstance, and holding both hands
up endeayored to approach Lieut.. Branniu for
TIE purpose OF assisting him. In the act OF
approaching him l was met by policeman,
whom | afterwards learned was Mr.. Tnomp-
son, with pistol presented to my face, mean
blaips out 100. / told him that l merely
wanted 10 go and help Lieut.. Brannin, that i
thought he required attention. He was not dis
posed 10 allow me- l then put my hand in my
coat-taII pocket and drew my own pistol Ihad
the pistol in my hand and my hand resting on
my hip, when 1t was wrenched from my hand
by party VINO | afterwards learned were
hackmen. I was TIT n seized by officer Thomp-
son, and j think officer Williams. With the
assls iance OF one or two hackmen was taken
across the street to the corner of the National
ALL soto hot yl,t1
commencing to arrest me, that l told Mr..
Thompson who l was On arriving on the
corner l objected 10 being SO roughly handled,
and told them had no objection to walking TO
the City Hall. then went TO the City Hall in
company with the policeman, and remained
until next morning. would tate that through
thu pollteness OF one OF the policemen was
allowed 10 60 to the First Ward and see DIR.
Magruder, not knowing Lieut. Brannin WAS
in the condition he was, and then reported
again in accordance with my parole.
) Cross examined by Mr.. Ford:-l was not IN
company with Brannin during theday. was
with HIM during that evening, and was with
him from O'Clock until this occurrence. Had
cen TO the Varieties, and left it at Ill or ~
o'clock. Went from the Varieties to the Della
van House, and remained there hall an nour,
and hearing m usic play. went down the avenue,
and went In to the Central Hotel. HAD oeea In
the Central Hotel half an hour, when 5rannin
went ont do not recollect whether Brannin
and eat supper together or not. At the Gen.
trail that night l eat at the same table Win
Brannin, and we afterwards went into small
} room, ON Mr. Ctlstin's invila.ion' 70 eat
watermelon. ] can't tell exactly now long.
after eating, Lieut. Brannin went upon the
pa vement. know nothing OF him AFTER ne left
hron Int ma the information of difficulty out
side. Brannin went out ten minutes before
was called out, bnt / cannot say positively as
to time. I saw NO part OF the ARRAY before the
:" o uesfioi. Captain johnson have you stated
IN me ali the places you went to that nights !,
& Answer slr. think we stopped in two
haSrdv houses One was on D street, below
Thirtaenth. The woman who keeps 1t goes by
the name of Mrs. Joe. We were in another,
but can't say where. i and Lieut. BranniH
hofh went to the places on duty. We went to /
mo, gambling house. We visited the be- wdy,
. houses on duty Lieut. Brannin at that time