The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-06-05
The Whittier Case.

Further evidence was adduced cal
culated to demonstrate that Whitta
ker was not veracious, and Recorder
Sears began to sum up. He reviewed
the whole case and maintained that
Whitaker was the author of the as.
sault. He heard that Whitaker had
failed to clear himself, while the chain
of circumstantial evidence was SC
overwhelming, that court martial for
perjury and conduct unbecoming a
cadet was imperative.
This statement made a sensation.
Lieut.. Knight made an argument for
Whitaker, maintaining that the eX-
pert's testimony was conflicting and
proved nothing, and holding that the
evidence did not controvert Whitta-
ker's story. The note of warning he
held to be purposely written in imita-
ton OF Whittaker's handwriting. and
he thought the paper on which it was
written was stolen from Whittaker's
room. He closed by demanding a
court of inquiry. The courts de-
cision will be rendered tonight and
forwarded to the war department.
Afterward the court met in secret
session and made up its final report,
which was agreed upon and signed by
all the members of the court. The re-
port, after reviewing the facts and the
evidence in the case gives the follow
ing conclusions:
First-The court is unable to believe
that such slight wounds as Cadet
Whitaker received could have been
inflicted by persons in the manner
and under the circumstances described
by him.
Second-It does not see why man
with his surroundings and in his con-
ditiOn and frame of mind as shown by
his own evidence, should have sub
mitted to an assault such as he al
lodged without summoning assistance
during the assault, or Immediately
thereafter.
Third-It believes that Il person tied
as he was, and left as he claims to have
been, could have released himself
should he exert himself to do so.
Fourth-From the testimony of the
post surgeon and Others, the cour, is
compelled to believe that Whitaker
was neither asleep nor insensible
when he was examined Oh the morn
ing of April 6; that he was feigning.
Fifth-The court is not able to dis
cover any motive that any person
other than Whitaker could have had
in making such an assault, and there
is no evidence whatever to warrant
the belief that any other person did
make it.
Sixth 1t believes that the hair
flesh cutting and binding |
could have all been accomplished by |
Whitaker himself.
Seventh-The theory that the note
of warming is an imitation oi Whit
taker's writing is, in the opinion of
the court, untenable. The severe tests
to which the experts in handwriting
were subjected, and their positive tes-
timony places it beyond doubt that
Whitaker himself wrote the note of
warning, and therefore, that he is not
ignorant of the person or persons en-
gagged in the affair. The latter con-
clusion is strengthened by the first,
that one-half of the sheet of paper OH
which this note is written was found
in Whittaker's possession.
OpiniOn-After strong array of cir
evidence from the testi-
mony of experts in handwriting, and
rom the conflicting statements of
Cadet Whitaker, and the lack of
evinced by him in certain
;ases during the inquiry, as shown by
.he evidence, the court is of the opin-
on that the imputation upon the
character of Cadet Whitaker, referred ,
% in the order converting the court in ;
lhe official reports of the commapdant+
If cadets and the post surgeon, is fully =
sustained.
When the report was sent to Gen.
and carefully read by him,
ne caused letter TO be addressed to :
JOl. Lazelle, commandant of the corps {
# Cadets, directing the arrest of l
and placing him in con- !
inement in his room. The order was [
carried out, and Whitaker I
will remain under arrest until this 5
ase is disposed of, and guard will {
,eep him under surveillance.