Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-11
MRS. POTTER's DIAMONDS.

MRS. POTTER's DIAMONDS.
James Brown Convicted I'm the Grin.
inal Court To-day Of Stealing Them.
The announcement that the trial of yamss
Brown alias J. B. Buck alias J. b. Hunt the
young man indicted for the larceny Of Mrs.
James Brown Potters jewelry at the Axlingtou
hotel recently, would take place to-day %.
tracted large crowd 10 the Criminal Court
room this morning. Az early o. 8 O'Clock
several ladies appeared and took seats in the
court room, and whiled sway the hours before
the converting Of the court in reading books
and papers and commenting on the appearance
Of the room. BY 945 O'Clock every seat within
the railing was occupied Mrs. Potter and her
manager arrived about $50 O'Clock and waited
i'm the marshars ONCE till called into court
The space outside the bar rapidly nlled with
spectators. few minutes after 10 O'Clock the
prisoner was brought in by Mr.. Allen, OF the
msrshal's Office. and seated beside has counsel,
Mr.. Campbell Darlington. He was attired IN
black suit, with white shirt, standing collar
and black satin scarf.
Before the case was called Mr. Carrington
said to preserve the rights Of the defendants
he proposed to ask that the plea to the merits
OF the indictment be allowed 10 be Withdrawn
that he might file a motion TO qussh. This he
read, basing IL on the ground that the grand
jury was improperly summoned and impan-
neled and was legally disqualified from finding
the Indictment The court granted the leave
| and the motion was filed and overruled.
THE SELECTION OF juicy
was proceeded with and at l045 O'Clock, The
following were sworn: Willard Metzger, @. r.
Barnes, John Bury. w. r. l. Eaton, Chas. E
Nelson, John c. Baum, Edward Cooley, Vim.
Hume, John W. Shafer, John NJ. Hodges, r. b
Delaney and r. II. Posey.
TESTIMONY OF JACKSON, TIE wArcHnAS.
Vim. jackson, the colored Waterman at the
Arlington, testified that on the night Of the 5th
inst. be heard noise in rooms Ill and liz, and
sent down for Mr.. Bennett; that the prisoner
came out and asked him TO get a cup Of tea.
When the prisoner started 20 20 down Stair
witness covered him with his pistol and the
| prisoner asked how lac dared do it. The pris-
oner was taken TO the cloak room, where be
was searched by the officers who were sum.
moned and Mrs. Potter's jewelry found on him.
Frank V. Bennett the manager OF the hotel,
testified to the capture and the recovery Of the
goods.
Oficer John Hart testified as to taking the
prisoner In custody and the recovery OF the
jewelry.
MRS. PorrER's TESTIMONY.
Mrs. Cora Urquhart Potter was called TO the
witness stand. She was attired in q brown
cloth dress, a large brown hat with feathers,
and wore at her throat a brilliant pin. She
testified, mostly in monosyllables in answer TO
questions, that the larger portion Of the arti-
Giles stolen from her were presents. She iden-
titled pin valued at sl75 as her property; the
| remainder of the property WAS not produced.
On cross-examination by Mr.. Darlington Mrs.
Potter said that none OF the jewelry was given
| TO her by her husband.
1t has been in his house." asked Mr.. c.,
under his consrolr know that this is rather
delicate question"
Mrs. Potter, with bitter laugh, and throw
| ing her head back: Mo-
This closed the testimony for the govern
ment and Mrs. Potter left the room.
| NOR. OR MRS. rorrER's PROPERTY.
Mr.. Darlington said that he desired 10 raise
the point that the property was the husbands
and therefore the defendant could not be con-
victed. He (at the suggestion Of the COURT
made this point the basis Of prayer.
| Judge Montgomery az ii rs charged the Jury.
Mr.. Darlington asked to note exceptions 10
certain phrases in the charge.
| VERDICT OF GUILTY.
The jury retired at ii :2s O'Clock and in four
minutes returned a verdict Of guilty as in
dicted.
Mr.. Darlington said that there was at police
| headquarters a ring which is claimed by the de-
PENDANT and valued at Sl25, and there were no
other claimants.
Mr.. Lipscomb stated that the ONLY objection
he had was that there should be ample tins
given for the officers to make thorough -
| animation.
Mr.. Darlington said that this young man had
property worth from 81 900 TO %, 900; that after
his arrest he made every PREPARATION possible tell.
ing the officers where the stolen property was,
and he now desired means on his bill Of excep.
tions, &c.
Judge Montgomery thought Il would be best
for the officers to retain the property a reason
able length of time, and suggested to Mr.. Car
rington to bring his motion up ON Saturday.