Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-26
The JOhnsOn-JO hnson Murder Thai.
TESTIMONY IN THE CASE

TESTIMONY IN THE CASE
Yesterday, In the Criminal Court, Judge
James, the trial OF John Silas Marshall john
son, young white man, charged With the muir
der OF James E. Johnson colored, on the 10Th
OF March. 1880. on l4th street, above P street,
was continued after our report closed-Messrs.
Corkhill and Perry for the government, and
MeSsrs W. A. COOK, A. B. Williams and F. II.
John Finn testified that IL was after six
O'Clock when he met the defendant; that when
the party reached @ street Clarkson asked the
witness II he would not go back. and he turned
around and went with him toward Samson
street. He saw ahead Of them johnson, Pierce,
Hackman and Harris. When the witness got
nearer he saw Johnson walk up 10 two colored
men standing near the edge OF the curb with
their backs to the street. He asked one OF the
colored men who he was looking at. The man
replied that he was looking at him Johnson.)
The defendant kicked the man. and as he went
to do 1T he put his hand behind him and drew a
pistol. The deceased threw up his hands before
bis face, and said Don't you shoot me-" The
defendant shot and the man fell. The witness
then went up l4th street home.
The cross examination OF this witness was
not concluded a. the time of the adjournment Of
the court.
This morning the trial was resumed. and
there were but few persons admitted to the
court room. There were, however many appll.
cants for admission, who were refused.
The witness, John Finn, resumed the stand
and was further cross examined by Mr.. w. A.
Cook. and stated that after johnson kicked the
colored man the deceased threw up hls hands
and defendant pulled out the pistol saw several
persons running.
William Coleman, colored. testified that be
O'CLOCK the evening he was shot Witness Was
putting In coal with VIM. Robinson and Ellis at
the house where DR.. Bigelow has his Office when
deceased came down from the direction of s am
son street and stopped right opposite the store
at the northwest corner Of street, where Jas.
Waters was standing. They stood near the
ing. They stood there about half an hour, " hen
defendant came down 14th street, with four or
hVe others, some OF whom he had seen before;
did not notice who was In front. Defendant
brushed up against deceased. walking out OF the
crowd, and said TO deceased: What In the HI
Is the matter with your" Deceased said: Moth
ing is the matter with me. what is the matter
with you. Defendant said: I'm knock your
ID head off," and deceased sald You won't
Go anything Of the kind" Defendant kicked at
deceased, but don't know whether he kicked
him or not. They were both standing near the
curb. Deceased jumped out OF the way when
John johnson (defendanD kicked. Defendant
ran his hand in his pocket, and James deceased
said: Don't shoot me-" and before The words
we're out OF his mouth he was shot and fell on
the pavement They then ran away, John john
son going up 18th street. John johnson did the
shooting saw the pistol. but could not say how
large it was Ellis and Robinson were standing
near the curb at the time. Deceaseds hands
were by his side when John johnson first spoke
TO him, and he threw his hands back when he
pavement after he was shot.
Mir. Cook cross examined witness at some
length. He testified that he made a statement
In the District attorneys and sWore to 1t, but
Old not sign 1t. Did not sign paper produced
oy Mi. COOK; wrote his name on a piece OF
paper, which, at the instance of Col. Cook, was
nied. When John johnson brushed against
deceased he turned him around, and passing a
short distance turned back and they TODD facing
each other. Made statement to the grand
jury and afterwards to the District attorney
VIM. Il. Ellis, colored. testified that he knew
the prisoner by the name OF big Foot;;' that
on the night Of the shooting he was putting in
coal, and JAS johnson, the deceased. came
down 18th street and stopped to talk With Jas.
Waters witness uncle) for about Is minutes,
when the accused and three others came down
Witness had his hand on wheelbarrow at the
time and defendant walked around it, and look
Ing at his uncle (Waters) passed on and pushed
against James Johnson Edeceased) with his
elbow; walked of about three steps and turned
around, saying to Jim johnson, what the HI
Is the matter with YOU" Jim Johnson replied.
Nothing is the matter with me, what the hi
Is the matter with you?" Defendant said: 'rIl
knock your ID head off," Jim johnson
said: NO you wont do anything OF the kind"
The prisoner kicked Jim johnson and pulled
his pistol from his coat pocket. Jim Johnson
SAID Don't shoot me, and the prisoner shot
the pistol and then turned towards witness
uncle( Waters), who stepped out In the gutter,
and the defendant ran up 14th street.
A recess was then taken.