The Evening critic., 1885-04-30
TIE SCOTT COATES TRIAL.
A verdict OF MRnsIRughter Rem.
dered amt Sentence Reserved.

a Verdict OF MnnsIaughter Rem.
dered amt Sentence Reserved.
After two OF three Intellectual attempts to
get on the hearing Of Scott Coates, a colored
boy, indicted for the murder of Ida Hen
dersor on the 9TH Of January last, the
trial was entered upon in the Criminal Court
to-day, Assistant District Attorney Tag
yart representing the prosecution aud Nj.
Campbell Darlington for the accused.
About o'clock on the evening of the
tragedy Scott Coates called at the house Of
BERTHE Smith, in Goat alley, and invited
her TO go with him to Mrs. MasOns, who
lived in Bates alley, which she did. He
left her AZ the gate, asking that she remain
until his return, which she did. When he
came back, at his invitation, they went TO
the house of Nettio Mcpherson. Upon
their arrival Ida Henderson was found
standing at the door, aud the two girls ex-
changed salutations as Scott Coates aud
Berthe Smith passed up stairs, Ida Hender-
son saying, "Ill be up after awhile" In
about ten minutes she did go, aud Coates,
hearing her coming, got up and shut the
door.
She said, "Let me como in" Scott said, =,
"Who is thai?' She answered" ut is me- He
replied. "You can't come in" BERTHE Smith
said, Let her come in, Scott" lie answered
"Who pays rent for this room2" Berthe
Smith replied that she thought Nettie Nc
pherson did aud Coates then let Ida Hem
defson come in. As she entered the front
room Coates pushed her back and then
pulled out his pistol aud shot her, aud she
fell in the doorway.
The following panel, obtained from the
regular list Of jurors, was secured to try the
case : William A. Matthews Madison jack
sen, Augustus b. Coppes, Reuben Giles,
Joseph Turner Edward Z. Welch, George
W. Ecklof, William L. Payne, William
Ball, Jacob j. Appeck, Isaac Gilbert aud
George w. Cox.
Mr. Darlington stated that his client
was willing to plead guilty of manslaughter
and be sent TO the Reform School during
his minority. He said that when the hom-
icide was committed Coates was not sixteen
years Of age, and did not reach that age
until the 18th instant, and whilo confined
in jail awaiting trial. He contonded
that not being 16 years of age at the time
the crimo was committed his punishment
should be in the Reform School. Judge
Macarthur declined to take this view, aud
did not believe the Reform School was in
tended for boys committing otlenses of thi:
kind and declined to sustain the poinI
raised.
Mr.. Taggart then opened the case to the
jury, ana stated tnab tue GOVernmenb OK
pected to prove tho charge as laid in the
Indictment. Mr.. Darlington thought thai
after the testimony of the principal wit
ness for the Government that the cast
would end
BERTHE Smith was the first witness called
Her testimony failed to show that there
was any malice or premeditation in tht
shooting. 1t was corrOborated by Mrs
Henderson, mother Of the deceased. Or
the prosecution remarking that the mos
important testimony had been introduced
Judge Macarthur said that the circum
stances showed that there was no murder
but il was clearly case of mauslaughter
and he should so instruct the jury.
In regard to sending the defendant t
the Reform School he thought it clearly
case that should not go there. The jur!
rendered verdict of manslaug ghter ant
sentence was suspended until next Satur
day.