The Evening critic., 1883-04-05
TRIAL OF FRANK MINOR.
Testimony For the Defense TO Prove
the Prisoners Character and Hts
Mental Peculinrtties.

Testimony For the Defense TO Prove
the Prisoners Character and HIS
Mental Pecuiinrtties.
In the trial of Frank Minor, for the MUIR
der of his wife, tho first witnesses called
by the defense this morning were Officers
Barry, Byrnes, Williams, Lewis and Will
son, and DR.. r. A. Bacon, who testified to
the prisoners good character.
Mrs. Anna Minor, mother Of defendant,
was called for the purpose Of producing
testimony regarding his mental condition
She was asked If there had been anything
peculiar in the dcmeanor of tho prisoner
about October II, last, the day of the homi-
eide.
"Yes," she replied. Sometimes, upon
coming to his home, he acted very melan-
choly. He appeared unusually strange on
the morning of the homicide, and did not
notice any one. He appeared to not be pos
sessed of his right mind"
Cross-exanined, witness stated that the
first separation between defendant and
wife was about three months before the
commission of the crime.
William L. Ross testified that the pris-
oner had worked for him about two years
prior to the homicide. He noticed the
prisoner acted very strangely at times, be-
ing detected and looked simple. He called
peculiar appearance. In October, before
the homicide, an occurrence took place be-
tween witness and defendant in the settle
ment Of their accounts, prisoner being un-
able to calculate his account or count his
money, which drew his particular atten-
tion to prisoners condition mentally. Wit
ness noticed change in the eyes of the
prisoner, and called the attention Of the
foreman to the change in the prisoner and
ha nf hfc a,1 ~
his actions.
William Bowman testifed-Am foreman
for William L. Ross and had Minor under
my charge while he was employed by Mr..
Ross TO haul sand; noticed q strangenesS
in tho actions of Minor about month
prior to tho homicide; he sometimes de-
livered sand to points other than those he
was directed to 60 to- Minor complained
of strange sensation in his head and said
he was bothered; at times he would quit
work and put his horse in tho stall prior
| to this change in Minor he could calculate
his accounts, but after this transformation
he could not; his condition at the last re-
ceipt of his wages was so strange that he
could not calculate his account.
! Cross.examined, witness stated that
| Minor had made no wrong deliveries OF
sand month prior to the homicide, but on
the contrary was very reliable. On the
|
| lead of sand to Ninth and X streets.
John Robinson, also tcamster have
worked for Mr.. Ross about a year, during
| which time have known Minor. About
two weeks previous to tho homicide no
ticed strangeness in the actions of Minor
he was morose and had nothing to say to
any one. He could not remember instruc-
tions about his work and made wrong de-
liveries. Saw Minor on Pennsylvania
avenue about $3.50 o'clock on the morning
of the homicide saw him again about S;3C
o'clock standing at his (AIinors) home door
| after the homicide. From the peculiar
actions of Minor believed be was losing hi:
mind.
John White: Know Minor used to
work with him in the sandpt was pres.
ont when Minor was paid off by Mr.. Ross,
the foreman, last fall, and when Minor dis
puted his account; observed Minors Pc
culiar actions at that time.
| Officer Melton, of the police force Have
known the prisoner eight or ten years; his
reputation is good for peace and good or.
der.
Joseph Yerby Am stovedorc, and dur
ing four or five years acquaintance will
prisoner have frequently employed him
bis reputation is good.
| George w. Snow: Live next door from
Minor have known him fourteen years
his wife left him about a month prior tc
the homicide; during the absence Of
Minors wife noticed change in his con
duct; he was exceedingly detected, ant
seemed greatly troubled over the scpara
tion he talked frequently about the con
duct of his wife, and made complaint
about her chastity and faithfulness; neye
heard of Minor dissipating By drink.
| At 1915 p. IN. a recess was taken unit
| 1 o'clnrlf