Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-27
A FATAL BLOW ON THE HEAD.
Albert Dodson Convicted Of the Murder
OF Oscar Washington.

murder, on March 31st of Oscar Washington
with a slung-shot, which was commenced in the
Criminal Court, before Judge Montgomery,
Monday. District Attorney Hoge and his
assistant, Mr.. Lipscomb, appeared for
the government and T. G. Taylor for
the defendant The jurors are: Bernard
L. Cumberland, John A Peters, Linsey Cain,
W. i. Bright, b. F. Bean, John Bury, Thomas
e. Allen, Lewis Jackson, Samuel II. Williams
john W. Thomas, John w. Schaefer, and
Clarence Beall-
OPENING STATEMENTS OF COUNSEL,
On the opening of the court this morning the
jurors above-named were sworn, and Mr..
Lipscomb stated the case to the jury, cali
ing attention to the indictment charging
first, that the wound was caused by de-
fendant with weapon unknown; second
by casting diseased on the ground, and
third by means and instruments unknown.
They expected to show, he said, that deceased
was an old man, and Dodson seeing him said
TO companion that If Washington had any
money he would get il. At a saloon on North
Capitol and streets they met again, and Wash
ington said, with an oath, that he didn'twant to
be logged by Dodson. Later, two officers
heard the two engaged in some hot words.
and Washington was found next morning
wounded, and he said that he had been done"
by man whom he had met the evening be-
fore. They would show that Dobson returned
bya lonely road, and when arrested he ex-
pressed no surprise, and when Washington saw
him he recognized him as the man who as
saulted him.
Mr.. 7. C. Taylor, for the defendant. said that
the men were friends, and that Washington
had proposed that Dodson assist him in grave
robbing at Harmonial cemetery. Dodson,
after some loud talk, left him. He would show
that Washington was delirious when he said
that Dodson assaulted him, and that when
rational he denied that Dodson was the man.
TESTIMONY FOR THE PROSECUTION
Moses Madray testified that he saw the de-
ceased on It'll street, between NJ and streets,
on the afternoon of March 31st He brought
out of store two bundles, and was joined by
Dodson and West Washington said he had
no money and could not treat them. Dodson
said II he CIV. had i've cents he ID. wanted a
drink. Washington went away. Dodson went
toward 5th street. and witness and West went
up 18th street to o. When they got to 9Th
street witness saw Washington and Dodson
going across 5th and o streets and out o street.
They shook hands like they had been ac-
quainted some time. Washington appeared to
have been drinking, but witness couldn't say
that he was drunk.
sam1 West corroborated the preceding wit
ness.
Ernest DAZZLE testified that he kept a saloon
at North Capitol and p street. Deceased was
in the saloon on the day he was wounded with
a bright yellow man, about feet inches high.
Oscar called for two beers. The defendant in
court looked like the man, but he would not
swear positively. Oscar asked the man if he
was going to treat, and cursed him. saying that
he had been logging him long enough. The
man made no reply, and then went out.
Officer j. Il. Slack testified that he saw
defendant in the black maria, and witness
called him up and asked him what he hit the
old man fOr?" and the prisoner replied: Il did
not hit him. was asleep, and l can prove it. -
Witness said that gypsies were camped on the
road. which was a lonely one.
Officer Fiheld, who was with Officer Slack that
night, corroborated him.
Baker Mcdonald testified that deceased lived
with him for six years, and he came home on the
night in question about 9 o'clock Saw him
the next morning in his little room. He had
on a new shirt, full of blood. and was badly
hurt he had a wound across the forehead
They washed the blood from him and he walked
about on Sunday, but on Monday morning
Ofhcer Morgan came there. and witness wife
drove Washington to the city in the carryall
Monday morning Washington was rational, but
talked weak; he was not delirious.
Sergeant Slattery testified that he investigated
the case; brought Washington to the station
and told him to set up and say if Dodson was
the man who struck him. and Washington, in
pretty emphatic voice. replied: That is the
of "A" This was on Monday morning
Found none of the property of Washington
with DodsOn. who gave a kind of sarcastic
smile. and dissented from Washington's state
ment. but witness did not believe him
Miss Virginia Mcdonald testified that she
brought Washington in to the city and to the
police station. She corroborated Sergeant
slsttery as to Washington identifying Dodson
Witness then took Washington to the Freed
mans hospital
DIR. Lachlan Tyler testified that the cause of
death was Inflammation of the BRAIN resulting
from the wounds, which were such as might
have been made with a stone or some blunt in
strument.
Thomas Roach testified that the day after
the affair be found Washington's cap in the
road near Gienwood. pair of stockings were
found on the other side, and there were foot
prints.
Officer Morgan testified to Washington iden-
tifying Dodson.
This closed the case for the government
TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENSE
Oficer Morgan was recalled for defendant
and testified that Washington said he was with
Madray and another man, when the man who
struck him came up and said he worked at
Chase's, and accompanied him (w.) to the
Knocked him down, and took his things. Wit
ness was referred to Madray for information as
TO who the man was.
DR.. F. J. Shadd. of the Freedman's hospital.
testified that Washington admitted to the
hospital on April 2. and lived there three or
four days. When he came in he could not give
clear account Of what had occurred. Witness
asked him two questions and was nationally
answered
Mrs. Mcdonald was recalled and testified
that Washington did not give the name of the
man who struck him. but gave description of
him. and said the man with him at Dahle's
He said the man struck him with a slungshot
and took his bundles. and when he cried out
the man came back and struck him two or
three times In the same place.
DoDsoS's STORY.
The defendant Dodson testified that he was
t~enty-six years Of age and had known WASH
ington for years. He met him that day and
Washington said he would meet him in the
evening at o street market In the afternoon
met Sam West and Nose Madray at It'll and n
streets, and Washington came out and shook
hands with him. He (W.) said he didn't care
about treating Nose. Witness acknowledged
that he went with Washington. and said at o
and North Capitol streets deceased said he
wanted him (witness) to assist in snatching a
body from the Harmonial grounds and he
(witness) declined. Washington said: Your
heart Is in your heels" and witness replied
that he could work in a graveyard in the day
time. but when night came he was gone They
were talking about il when the officers STONED
him. He left Washington shortly afterward
He denied that he with Washington at
Dahles restaurant The deceased said that a
wagon would meet them; that he had been to
the graveyard a week before and was shot at
When Washington was brought to the station
witness did not understand what he said and
when the officers said that he said he (witness)
was the man they wanted, he replied they
would have it to prove.
On eross-examination witness said that he
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