The Evening critic., 1885-03-30
TELEGRAPH.
IN SELF-DEF FENSE.
A Dangerous Character in Alexan-
dria Shot.

ALEXANDRIA, VA, March 30
About $3.50 o'clock last night the report
of pistol was heard in the vicinity Of a
restaurant on Royal street, between King
and Prince, kept by Mr.. William MUIR
taugh. The CRITIC correspondent, hear
ing the discharge, hurried to tho spot aud
found the almost lifeless body Of James Il.
Burnett lying on the sidewalk, near the
gutter, Immediately in front of Murtaugh's
saloon. BY this time, about dozen per-
sons had collected, among the number be-
ing John Il. Downey, Jefferson Phillips aud
Alfonso Arlington. Lieutenant James
Smith, who had also arrived among the
first, was approached by Arlington, who
picked up knife lying by tho side Of
Burnett. and handing 1t to the officer,
said
"Ho (pointing to Downey) did it in self
defense"
Lieutenant Smith said "Downey, from
what l learn here, l will have to arrest
you"
Ho o,then searched Dowpey and found
silver.mounted Smith & Wesson revol-
yer, 32-cahbre, in tho outside pocket of
Downcy's pocket Downey was imme-
diately tax en- to Police Headquarters, being
perfectly silent during tho time. During
the arrest of Downoy tho body Of Burnett
was IHktH lIUll lhc blubWdlh anu DidCtu
on tho platform, few feet distant. DIR. L.
Marshall Jones was the first physician to
arrive and made an examination, and pro-
nounced that death had ensued almost in
stsntly after tho shooting.
When Coroner Powell arrived he ordered
that tho body be removed to Police Head
quarters, which order was carried out i'm
mediately,
Coroner Powell and DR.. Jones held post
mortem examination on tho remains.
Three shots took effect, one entering first
above the nipple on the left breast and
passing through the heart. The second
entered about two inches lower and passed
through the lung, and the third ball entered
four inches lower than the second and
lodged in the pit of the stomach. Two of
the balls were found but the third was
not recovered. The Coroner announced
that either Of the shots would have proved
fatal.
At the instance of Coroner Powell Lieut..
j. J.. Smith summoned the following jury
T.. ii. OBrien, r. M. Latham, Joseph Horse
man, George Monroe, George I. Price and
9. J. w. Summers.
Julian Il. Young was the first witness
He was in w. f. Creighton's drugstore;
heard report of pistol, supposed to be on
Royal street; he came out and met Lieu
tenant Smith crossing the street; both ran
toward Murtaugh's restaurant, and found
James Il. Burnett lying on the sidewalk.
Some one picked up knife--thinks 1t was
Arrington-and handed it to Lieutenant
Smith. Burnett was not dead when wit
ness arrived; there was but one or two
around at that time. Downoy was standing
on platform six feet away; did not SEQ pistol
or knife. Witness heard three Shots didn't
know any byetanders except Arlington.
The next witness was Alfonso Arlington.
He. Downey, Charles Faley, James Beach
came up King street and went into MUIR
laughs restaurant Beach and Faley quar-
relied, when Burnett grabbed. Faley aud
wanted to take him in = back room and
fight. DOwney said: eve did not come in
here for this" Burnett said he would fight
Downey with pistols or knives, and re-
marked: II will fix you, Downey, the next
time sec YOU" Downey and party then
left the house. He identified the knife as
the one owned by Burnett, which he had
picked up. Burnett had told Downey to
prepare himself When witness left the
restaurant he went to the market.house,
then came back to the corner of King and
Royal street. he then found Downey in
Gaines & Kraff's restaurant.
That was balf an hour after leaving
Murtaugh's. They (Downey, AIRING ton
and jefferson Phillips) started for Muir.
laughs again. AS they passed Harper's
tailoring establishment they saw Burnett
standing against a tree. Burnett said to
Downey 81 have knife, and am ready
for you !" and started on trot after Dow
ney, with his arm elevated. Downey COM
menced shooting, walking backward.
Downey was six feet from Burnett at the
first shot fired three shots was about
twenty-five feet from Burnett when he
fired the last shot: When Burnett fell,
Arlington heard n knife drop, and ran and
picked up the knife by tho side Of the
wounded man. Saw no one shoot but
Downey.
Lieutenant Smith started from station
house at Sl5 and went up King street to
Washington street and stopped awhile. He
then came down King street. when he got
to Pitt and King streets he heard pistol
shot and started in direction of sound and
heard three other shots. Got to Creigh.
tons corner where no met Mr.. Young
they both ran to Murtaugh's restaurant
aud found Burnett lying on pavement
| saw Arlington, Downey and Phillips. The
first was twenty feet south of wounded
man and Phillips was thirty-fvo feet south
| of him. Downey was standing closer than
either of the others. Arlington handed
| him knife which he picked up from the
pavement, saying "Downey did it in self
| defense"
Wltnees dIItSlcu DOWuey duu uOOR plS-
| tol fIom Downey's pocket with four empty
| and one loaded she'll
JEFF Phillips, Officer Latin and other
| witnesses corroborated the above testimony
The jury returned a verdict that "James
| T. Burnett came TO his death from gunshot
wounds inflicted by pistol in the hands oi
| John T. Downey."
Burnett wasa dangerous character. He
attempted to kill an old eolored man al
Englehardt's brewery, in West End, about
three years ago, named Valentine. About
one year ago he badly injured Mr.. Learry
Bayne, stabbing him in the abdomen sew
eTal times He was always considered a:
dangerous. He was rather tall and good
looking, and about 5j years of age
| John t. Downey has always borne a good
character; is about thirty years of age and
has wife and one child. He has been
twice married.
| Burnett came here in 1861 with New
York regiment and was stationed in thi;
city during the late war. He had a diff
Guilty with fellow soldier during tho war
receivlnga serious wound, which came neal
proving fatal.
Downey has the sympathy of the com
munity, and it Is thought will be acquitted
j. III. S.
The Central American Trouble.
NEW YORK, March 30.-Ex. President oil
j Honduras, Marco Soto, who has resided il