Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-04-14
TWO CENTS.
Another Murder yrinl.

DOUGLASS WILLIAM CROSS CHARGED WITH TEE KILL
ING or JAMES CURRY.
This morning, IN the Criminal Court, the case az
Douglass William Cross, charged wltA the murder
OF James Curry on the I2th OF August, 1881, was
placed on trial before Judge Wylie Mr TaGgart
appeared for the government. and NeSsrs I. K.
Miller and c. VI. Smith for the prisoner.
The following Jurors were selected: Richard Rig
giles, Thos Hutchinson, ". II; Bell. r. [. Omohun-
drn, John IL. MorEan sam lei J. owens. W T..
Asty, Lewis II. McpaGe. Eu- ne T. NH er, John K.
Mansfield Vim. VI. Frank ana Charles r. Evans
To accommodate a number of business men. sum
mOned for the defense 10 the character OF the
prisoner. they Were sworn aS follows: X 4. Golden.
owynn Harris, James Ia!ontaine, W. Taiiiai.rro
the good reputation OF the accused.
OPENING ARGUMENTS.
MI Taggart opened the ease for theEovernment,
stating that they expected 10 prove that curry on
the day In question passing along 10Th street,
near street southeast. singing an indecent song,
ana that Mrs. Cross was standing near. that curry
went 10 4 vacant lot with man named Hawkins,
and that within a few minutes Cross and his wife
came mp and inquired for Curry Cross asked curry
he had not insulted his Cross wife, and
denial was made. and cross then at
tackled curry beating him severely and Oaly ceasing
when threatened with arrps.and the death of Curry
resulted from the effects OF the blows some ten day :
afterwards
Nr. smith, for the defense said be did not under
stand that the government would ask verdict ~
murder. and said the defense would show that the
VIII OF Cross had been grossly nsulted: thai Cross
stenather OF Curry or his conduct, when the wife
pointed curry cut, and that an alteration took
plac', put ne GAINED tAat The beating was not
severe that there WAS no kicking, and the deceased
worked one week after the occurrence and that
the dtafh was from an entirely different cause;
That Curry had been struck 10y bat ia The head Sc-
THE TESTIMONY
Thomas Hawkins testified that he was with
curry, and they were singing song TO a black
girl; that Mrs. Cross asked who he was talking 10,
and he and Curry both denied that 1t was 10 her:
that they went over and sat on the grass, aud
Cross came up AMI asked whore WAS the maR wAp
was singing 10 his wife. Witness pointed curry
ont, but said he had not sang 10 hts wife. Cross
then struck At Curry. and followed IL up with
eral blows, and they tsSeled cyer to the lamppOst-
On croSs-eXainlnation Witness said Cross wore
slippers at the time curry worked 1T brick aTG.
! driving cart ami catching brick.
Htrtert Irallin testified 10 seeing Cross 60 10 n
Curry and ask II he had ln>ulJed his wife; and
Curry denied H. Cross wife 10 he did. and then
Cross struck ut Curry several tlmeS. curry called
'For Gods sake don't XII me- and tried ID escape
when Cross overlook him and dragged him To the
| lamp post, where lie beat HIM lEaln
Thos. Somerville testified that lie a stuffie,
one OF the parties using the other too bad. and
went to his fence and called TO them 10 StOn.
/ Albert Smith testified TO seeing cross pummel
Curry In the face and drag him the street To
| the opposite corner, where he continued 10 beat
| him TIL Cross wife said THAT Will Gn.n
| Geo. Jones testified that he SAW the assault. and
the neSt day Curry was at the brick yard, but had
! 10 stop work and 20 home.
Geo Palmer testified TO seeing Cross strike Curry
while he was down, and the latter called: .For
Gods sake don't hit me any more" and Mrs Cross
said he had enough
| Dr t. A. Adams testified that he attended curry
the day before he died. but made no examination
OF him; treated him Tor malaria haG no infoTILa.
! ton Of the light
on crosS-eAd1nnatiOn wit ness said he had treated
the deceased for bsceSS on the back uf the nee
for being struck as he heard with base bail bat
| Dr. J. r. HarLiCan testified TO performing the
autopsy, ard that death resulted from abScess and
soltenlns VI the brain on the opposite side or The
/ head.
recess was here taken.