Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-14
ON TRIAL FOR WIFE MURDER.
Testimony Taken To-day I'm the Case of
Benjamin Hawkins.

In the Criminal Court, yesterday. in the case
of Benjamin Hawkins for the murder of his
wife, Cora, on March IA last. after The Stars
report closed, Louisa Thomas testified. She
said that she had been living with Hawkins
since November last; that she had heard that
he had a wife, and last June he told her that
his wife was living with another man. On the
night of the homicide she answered his knock
about u o'clock, ''All right" and went to open
the door. He said. mo, it is not all right for
/ have killed Cora" He went on to say that
they had some words, when he cut her with a
knife which he threw away. The witness said
Hawkins appeared angry and struck her in the
mouth. saying. I've done one murder tonight
and if had my knife / would do another" She
then went upstairs and Hawkins went away
but returned and stopped in the back room till
the officers came.
Officer Henry testified that the day following
the homicide Hawkins told him that after he
had done the cutting he ran down Virginia ave-
nue. to near Sd street, and then concluded that
he would go home and wait for the officers. He
then got inside the railroad fence and ran
home. When passing the alley he saw them
lifting his wife up. He said that he threw the
knife on the track opposite the alley. The wit
ness found it there. Witness identified the
knife. and said that there were some stains on
it which looked like blood When witness asked
TO the sociable and called for his wife; that
they went to Mrs. Smiths on Az street to get
some refreshments, and then started to return.
and then she wanted TO go in the back way,
and he said she must 60 in the front door. She
objected to going in that way. for she did not
want Walker to see him with him. This led to
a quarrel and he cut her.
THE PRISONERS ADMISSION OF HIS GUILT.
The trial was resumed this morning Officer
Rinck testified that he went to Johnson's coal
yard and found where Hawkins lived, and then
went to Drapers alley. between b, c, 18th and
18th streets southwest. His partner, Officer
Chamberlain, was with him. and he went in
the front door, when Hawkins said, Here
am" putting up his hands, and they handcuffed
him. On the way to the station Chamberlain
asked HIM where was the knife. and he said he
had none. There were spots of blood on his
hand. When they took him to tine cell he
passed the body of his wife, and putting his
hands to his face said: ''Oh, my God! / am
murderer. I'll be hung"
Officer Alfred Chamberlain testified that he,
with officer Rinck, went to Diapers alley, saw
Louisa Thomas, had some talk with her, and
Hawkins came out from the stairway with
something in his hands. Witness covered him
with his pistol and said: Hands up" AMI
Hawkins came toward him holding up his
hands. Witness thought Hawkins had a Ratchet.
He was taken in custody, and on the way he
said he had fixed Cora. He denied that he
used knife. When they reached the station
the dead body of his wife there, and as
witness took the cover from her face he said:
"Oh. my Godl That is my wife Cora. I've
killed her. l am a murderer and I'll be hung
for it,"
To the court-Afterward they went back to
arrest Louisa Thomas and hen found the
Ratchet leaning against the wall where he had
seen him stoop.
Re-cross examlnation-Hawkinsd did not men,
ton the name of Walker to him, but intimated
that his wife had been keeping company with
other men.
Mr.. Lipscomb closed the case, stating that
he had a number of other witnesses whom ne
did not deem necessary to call.
TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENSE.
For the defendant, Enoch jackson testified
that Hawkins reputation for peace was good
Joseph Hawkins, Alex. Jordan, Joseph Man.
ion, Allen Stands, and others gave similar tes-
timony. Manion and Stands, however, said
they had heard of Hawkins drinking. They
also said that it was common for drivers to
carry knives.
Mary Smith testified that she lived on AZ
street; that she knew the deceased, who, with
her husband, was in witness house that night
She asked for some lozenges, and both were
pleasant. She said that he had been her hus-
band, and he replied that it was her fault that
he was not still her husband
This closed the testimony.