Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-29
The Johnson johnson Murder Tyi al


James, The trial OF John Bilas Marshall John.
son, young white man charged with the muir
der of James F. Johnson. colored on the 18th
Oh March, 1880. On Ath street, above street,
was continued after recess-Messrs- Corkhili and
Perry for the government. and Messrs- 4. B.
Williams and F. II. Falls for the accused
The court having overfuled the motion OF de
feDoanf, that the United States should put Nor
rfs tWhOSe name was on the list of witnesses
furnished the defendantl on the stand. an ex-
ception was noted. The defence made the same
motion In regard 70 Lieut.. Johnson, whose n anne
was I'm the list Of witnesses, ana who had MOI
been examined.
Mr.. Perry said that the reason they hsd not
called him was because he found that the lieu.
tenant knew nothing about the case
the government, In order to settle all further
DR. Patterson on the stand this morning which
would complete their list OF witnesses furnished
the defense.
The trial was resumed this morning, Mr..
Perry stated that the Dstrict-Attorney, Colonel
Corkhil], was quite sick, and under the advice
OF MS physician would remain away for one
cay al least AS he tMr. Perry was only an
assistant TO the Dlstrlcu-Attorney, he did not
know that he really had authority to proceed In
the case and he did not wish any question 70
be raised If he proceeded.
The defeLce said that no point would be
raised On the question, and the case was pro-
ceeded With.
sonesime was spent In co npleting the bills
Dr.. DIC:~Patterson, the coroner, was called
by the government. and testified that on the
evening OF the 29th OF March he was called On
by the police authorities; went to the house
where dece ased was lying dead On the hoor, and
arranged for an Inquest TO tie held next day
Wltnt IS identified copy OF the notes taken ut
the inquest; was not at the autopsy.
Lieut.. James Johnson TESTIFIED That the PTS
toi shown looked like that which he received
from the clerk at the station the morning after
the occurrence.
ON eros eyaminat,on wttrooa eatd tho vi,
tol was shown TO the defendant In the cell; that
ne tdefendanD said 1t was not his. but II he
would take IL TO Dubants restaurant they
would recognize ii.
Mr.. Perry again announced the governments
case closed, all the witnesses on the list having
been called except DR.. Ramsey. who was In
Brazil; Officer Halinan, who Is Sick and Clark.
son, who was not found.
Dir, WILLIAMS OPENED FOR THE DEFENDANT,
stating that since the occurrence the prisoners
mouth had been closed. Before stating their
defence he referred to remark made by Mr..
Perry as TO the manner the defence had exer-
cised the right of challenge and said that that
was no attempt to secure jury from class,
but that they had challenged white and col
ofed, native and naturaliZed, while the United
States had not challenged single cOlored man.
They had endeavored TO secure Intelligent un-
biased Jurors. and he believed that these were
such. He claimed that the jurors We're not to
e@n IN S whs1sr Peope sh9na be shot
PENDANT had been guilty OF crime Every
Killing was not murder; 1t must be premedi-
tated and with malice: Thus far there
by Hickman and Pearce and the other by Ellis
Waters and others They expected to show
that the story Of Hac6man and Pearce is the
true one. and II they succeeded they would
claim verdict for defendant. They had also
another defence-iuSanity-and II they proved
its existence they would also claim verdict.
They Weuid show that In 1920 one isachei John
son. the great grandmother OF defendant died
insane; that another blood relative died insane
in 1884; two others in 1872. and a nth In 1850.
They would shOm that the defendant had shown
other than normal symptoms; that when
child bis mind was affected by severe fright,
and subsequently his mind was affected by
sunstroke; that what was known as the Hirbh
murder case greatly affected hun, and he was
continually taking about it and In constant
dread that he would be attacked by cOlored
men. The jury were to say: LIST, whether the
prisoner Is not guilty by reason OF Insanity; I'd.
whether he is not guilty by reason OF self
defence; Sd, whether he is guilty OF manslaugh-
ter, and. Attn. whether he is guilty Of murder.
Mr.. VIM. Forsyth testified TO the correctness
feet from the building line Of p street to where
the shooting Is testified to have taken place.
Richard A. Norris testified that he was ne3rly
20 years OF age; has resided at sth and streets
for two months; was engaged with hts brother
In the coal business on 18th, near Il street
northwest; had been acquainted with defend
ant for some time; was with him on March 29th,
between J and O'Clock, on 14Jh street: Hack
man and Pearce were In their company.
They went down 14th street, Hackman
and Pearce having their arms locked
a step behind. AS they approached DR.. BIge-
lows office saw two persons standing talking
TO each other near The tree box. johnson
walked past the darkey AMI the darkey al
yanced and looked at Mr.. Johnson and said
Who In the hi are you looking at 10 Mr.
.i0hnS0D, who replied, who are you looking at
MIR. Johnson came back and says. Who are yon
feeling with and kicked at the darkey, who
Jumped back and ran his hand down MS back
pocket. ard Mr.. Johnson shot him. When
johnson came back and s AID, VINO are you 10 y
Ing With the dafkey jumped back and suu ire
OF describing it] and defendant kicked az him.
as he did so; deceased then threw HI
coat rack and put his hand toward the pocket
saw Only one boy putting IN coal, and he was
II iUtO bucket johnson did net
make any approach toward the Colorei nl Ill
when be passed first; did not see him do any
thing; the colOred man put his hand toward
his pocket, and said to defend mt You d-n
of - after defendant shot the pistol he ran;
witness had testified but once, before the coro-
neTS jury.
whether he had known defendant ten years. ii Sc
years or one year, witness answered, II have
known him right smart while" he gave the
same answers as to his acquain sanceship with
that night in Beek's grocery store; Hickman
was there, and Johnson called both or them
out. They walked up the street together 10
Samson street, north side.l Nothing particu-
lar caused them to stop there. Thinks Johnson
Whistled, for ClarkSOn and PinB were at the
next corner, and they turned TO come back
We started ahead OF them, and Johnson re-
marked. "Wh0 are these darkeys followlng?"
Did not know that Pearce begged him NOT 70
go back did not remember that he so testified
before. When Johnson said "Nho are those
negroes Tor darkeys) foilOwing9" they walked
down the street, Johnson having whistled first:
don't rememOert hat he saw the parties referred
10 at the time they started; did not know that
any proposition was made TO the defendant 10
turn back, nor does he remember that defend
ant made such proposition.
AT this point recess was taken.
AFTER RECESS
the witness Norris resumed the stand and was
further cross examined. They all turned to 60
back at the same time; did not see any wheel
barrow In front OF Dr.. BlgeloT'S, but remem-
oerS that COlored boy was 5hOVelling coal. AS
was passing by deceased the latter
don recollect where Hickman and
ClaFkSOn were then, except that they were in
front OF witness. Witness was about ~ or Is
feet from Johnson, who was going south and
deceased asked, "WhO the HI are you looking
al" Defendant did not use any profane words
when he asked deceased who he was looking
al.
Question.-Hld you not testify at the cor
oDeIS inquest held on Samson street, between
l4th and 18th streets northwest, on the seth tag
OF March, 1850, as follows: LAS he went down
looking at and Johnson said, "Who the nj
do you think"
NitnesS.-Don't recollect that testified that.
Al this point the government stated that tt
would require about i hours TO complete the
examination and The couff al ipt,rpaJ