Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-28
A FATAL GAME OF CRAP.
Trial Of William Warren for the MUIR.
der Of William Brown.

DER or william Brown.
In the Criminal Court. Judge MONTGOMERY.
to-day, the case of VIM Warren, indicted for
the murder Of VIM. Brown, in October. was
taken up for trial-Judge Gates and Mr. Nc
Closkey appearing for the prisoner and Assist
ant District-Attorneys Lipscomb and Mullow-
ney for the government. 1t is alleged that the
PARTIES had quarrel October 81 in Chew's al
ley, between 25th, 26th, 1 and K streets north
west, over game of crap, in which the pris-
oner claimed to have won 5 cents and de-
manded il Of Brown, and some angry words
passed between them. Warren is alleged to
have gone over to SHOWS alley in the square
opposite, and returned and demanded of Brown
his five cents, and he then drew a revolver and
shot Brown, indicting q wound in the breast,
from which the latter died at the Freedman's
hospital October Sl-ten days later.
THE JURY.
In . very few minutes a. Jury satisfactory TO
both parties was selected as follows: BENZ f.
Bean, Clarence Bean, r. +. Drew, W. J. Lown,
J. W. Schaefer B. L. Cumberland. Lewis Jack
son, Geo. b. Sheriff, Lindsey Cain, Jno. p.
Welcker, Jno. W. Thomas and Jno. II. Russell
THE TESTIMONY.
The first witness. George A. Parker, testified
that they were all playing crap, that Warren
asked for his cents saying that he was broke.
Brown told him to go away; that he didn't like
him any way. Warren said that he didn't want
Brown to take advantage Of him; that he had
tried to kill him before. Brown kept advance
ing on Warren, at the same time having his
hand in his pocket, as IL he was about TO draw
weapon, and Warren then shot, he believed.
right under witness arm, he being between the
parties.
W. A. Lewis testified that Warren won't away
but returned with both hands in his pockets,
and that some words passed, when Warren
drew the pistol and shot. Witness did not see
Brown do anything.
Charles Cook testified that the men quar-
relied over the s cents. Brown refusing to give
1t up, and Warren went of, but returned in a
half hour with one hand in his pocket ana one
on his hip; then he heard the shot, and Brown
came out of the alley, and Warren followed, with
the pistol in his hand smoking. THE - Of
a! I'm tired Of being imposed upon"
On cross-examination, witness said that he
was in his house at the time; heard the quar-
rel but did not see the shooting.
DR.. F. j. Shadd testified that the deceased
was treated at the Freedmen's hospital, and
that the wound caused death; that the bali
passed through a rib and through the lung.
John Ridgeley testified that the two quar-
relied over cents. Brown told Warren to
go away. Warren went away, but came back
and asked for his s cents. Then Brown put
his hand in his hip pocket saying, if Warren
didn't go away he would hurt him, and as he
Brown advanced, Warren shot at him, and the
crowd scattered Heard Warren say after he
fred that he was tired of being imposed upon.
On cross-examination witness said Warren
was backing at the time, and reached a gate
way before he fred, and that Brown was walk
ing toward him.
VIM. Ross testified as to the quarrel in which
Brown got up and shook his fist in Warren's
face, and the next he heard was the shot.
On cross-examination witness said that Brown
N ! ha6 : h..
hurt him, and Warren backed away, and Brown
took two steps toward him when the shot was
fired.
Benjamin Franklin testified to the quarrel.
babe Anna" (the prisoner asked for his five
cent Billy Brown said: Il am not going to
give you - thing. Go away from here
before hurt you" His wife then called him
(witness) to bring in some water, and he went
in the house and the shooting took place. After
the shooting, heard Warren say that Brown had
been imposing on him for two years, and asked
where the - Of a was at
Henry Lee testified to the quarrel; that
Brown got up with his hand in his hip pocket
and walked up towards Warren, who was get
ting away, and he backed against the fence,
and Warren then took the pistol from his coat
pocket and fred.
On cross-examination witness said that as
Warren backed from Brown, he said, IF you
give me my five cents You won't have to hurt
me-"
Humphrey Howard testified that after they
quarreled Warren went away and returned and
asked for his five cents when Brown got up
with his hand in his hip pocket and Warren
backed away, Brown following him till he
reached the fence, and then Warren shot.
CLAIMING SELF DEFENSE.
Mr.. McClosky, opened for the defendant
stating that they expected to prove a clear
case of self-defense; that this was not the first
attack the deceased made on the prisoner, and
they expected verdict of acquittal
Officer Heard testified that Warren's reputa-
ton for peace was good and Browns bad He
had arrested Brown for cutting mans throat.
and had found large bladed knife on him on
more than one occasion.
Officer Keefe testified to the good reputation
Of Warren and the bad reputation of Brown.
Henry Smaliwood testified that he had Brown
arrested for cutting him with a knife.
Several witnesses followed as to the reputa-
ton Of the parties.
THE DEFENDANT TESTIFIED
that he won Eve cents from Brown, and asked
for it; that Brown said he would hurt him, and
be walked off, when Brown put his hand in his
pocket When Brown went back and he saw
that he was winning he asked him for the five
cents. Brown cursed witness and threatened
him, walking toward him; witness
backed to the fence and Brown was
still advancing when he fired at him.
Witness kept telling Brown to go away. but
he kept advancing on him, and he was afraid
of him, for he had been chased by him with
a knife before. Witness had pistol which he
carried while lighting lamps.
fed that he was the brother of the deceased,
and fonnd pnthipo IN him, lint a ,,anp;as