Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-19
ON TRIAL FOR HIS LIFE.
Henry johnson, COlOred Boy, Charged
With the Murder of Henry Turner.

coored boy about twenty years old, was placed
on trial for murder. 1t Is alleged that party
OF colored men were, June 90, at the house of
Hattie Green, colored, drinking, and that a
row took place in the house in which, it is al
leged johnson participated After it was over
Henry Turner, the deceased, was found outside
dead with bullet hole in his head, and it is
alleged that johnson fired the shot which killed
him.
Mr.. &c. Darlington appeared for the defend
ant and Mr.. Lipscomb for the government
The court proceeded with the selection Of a
jury. This work was not completed and one
panel being out but five were found competent
or acceptable.
THE JURY COMPLETED TODAY.
This morning the trial was resumed and at
10:l5 the jury was completed, as follows: l..
A. Wood, Maurice B. Flynn, Fred W. Kahlert,
Charles Altman, A. Jackson Beall, Simon D..
Newcomb, George Book. II. Walker Tucker,
j. Bradley Adams, John H. Davis, L. S. Depue
and C. s. Ulrich.
Mr.. Mallowney, assistant district attorney,
opened the case to the Jury, stating that he ex-
pected to show that there had been some words
| and a quarrel among some colored men. when
| threats were made by Johnson. and when they
were in Hattie Green's house the threats were
put in effect.
Mr. CaTTllRtOn Chained tnat the case was
not above manslaughter, admitting that the
testimony was correct. but he expected b show
that the government had the wrong SOW by
the ear" and that the homicide was committed
by another.
THE TESTIMONY.
Officer Shuttle testified that about IL o'clock
June 20 he was informed of the shooting and
went on the commons at 18th and B streets,
saw a crowd and man lying on his side out
side of Hattie Green's house. When he found
that the man was dead he turned HIM and sa w
hole in his right temple. Witness arrested
Henry Johnson the accused, Monday night
two nights after the shooting.
Sergeant Byrnes of the sixth precinc. testi-
fled to removing the body to the morgue in the
patrol wagon.
John Henry Lewis colored, testified that he
saw johnson at Skelly's store, l4th and streets
southeast about o'clock Saturday night be-
fore the shooting johnson had pistol IN his
hand loading it. johnson was under the infiu-
ence of drink.
On crosse Examination witness said he was in
Jail now, charged with HOUSEKEEPING.
WITNESS WHO SAYS HE HAS BEEN THREATENED
George Williams was called and asked to see
his counsel.
What for?" asked Mr.. Lpscomb.
Three people out on the commons have
threatened ME that if johnson did not live
shouldn't" replied Williams.
We'll, said Mr.. Lipscomb. I'VE will find out
who they arc and We will protect you"
Williams testified that he and johnson were
together when he got his pistol and Johnson
got some cartridges. They went to Skellv's and
drank gin. whisky, beer, blackberry and gin
again. While there witness pistol dropped
from his pocket and johnson picked it up: then
went to Hattie Green's, and witness went in an d
asked for something to drink aud she said she
hadn't anything. While they were talking the
n Trad nd told 10
had fired when he came out John Lewis, John
son and Henry johnson were sitting outside and
a man (Enoch Turner was lying dead Both OF
them said that Henry johnson and Turner
were fooling over the pistol when it went off.
They then left and Henry gave witness the pis.
toll and when witness proposed to leave the
pistol at his house Henry said that would give
him away and he handed the pistol back to
johnson, who asked John Lewis not to give
him away and johnson then threw the pistol
away.
On cross-examination witness denied that he
and Turner ever had fuss. The pistol was loaded
at Skeiiy's; johnson put in four loads and wit
ness two Witness aud Henry Johnson were
both drunk that night.
Hattie Green gave unimportant testimony
and Alexander King testified that he was a,
Hattie Green's when Williams came. Saw three
people pass the front of the house to the rear
and they were talking of lighting One ont
OF the three came in the house and called for
fired and the man ran out calling who's that
you shot?" and they ran of. Witness went
round and saw Turner lying dead
Officer Pearson testified that he saw defend
ant at the ninth precinct station asked him
about the shooting.
THREATS.
johanna Humphreys testified that she saw
johnson, Williams and another man pass her
house and heard johnson say: If don't kill
the - Of A. hope Christ will kill me-"
Caroline Turner and David Carroll corrob.
Grated the preceding witness.
Dr. Z. NJ. Schaeffer, deputy coroner, testified
to the wound being the cause Of death.
Charles Daniels, Eliza Smith, James Sbarps
and Florence Williams gave unimportant testi-
mony, closing the case.
FOR THE DEFENSE
Annie Dodson testified that Williams loaded
the pistol at Skelly's and threatened 70 shoot
some one that night that about month before
Turner and Williams quarreled and the latter
threatened to get even with Turner.
The PRHsIDINr Has APPROVED the Joint
resolution recognising the republic Of Brazil;
the act for the relief Of the sufferers by the
wrecks OF the Trenton, vsndalia and Nipsic ct
Samoa; an act TO constitute Albany, NY,
port Of immediate transportation; an act APP
Propriating. &c. for Marion homo for dis