Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-21
A SENSATION IN COURT.
Unexpected Testimony In the Trial of
Henry johnson for Murder.

In the Criminal Court. Chief Justice Bing-
ham, this morning the trial Of Henry johnson,
| colored, for the murder Of Enoch Turner.
June 20 last vas resumed, the chief justice
having sufficiently recovered to hold court
Tho defense called George Williams and
he denied that he had told any one that he had
killed Enoch Turner.
The father Of the accused was called and
testified that Williams and his son were
friendly; that Turner was much larger than
his son.
| Maria Bouldin, colored girl. testified that
George Williams while walking with her looked
like he was in deep distress and she asked what
| was the matter, when he said he had killed
Enoch Turner and begged her to say nothing
about it
Charles Williams denied that he had told
Waters in the Jail that he had broken the pis-
James Waters, prisoner at the Jail. testified
| that Williams told him that he had broken the
pistol up.
Several other witnesses were heard and the
testimony was then closed.
SENSATION.
Several witnesses were called by the govern
| ment in rebuttaL John Lewis johnson, on be-
ing sworn, said: Henry johnson shot Enoch
Turner"
| What" exclaimed counsel in chorus. rather
taken by surprise, as he had been called to tes-
| tfy to Henry Johnsons intoxication.
Henry johnson shot him." continued wit
ness. saying he was near him at the time.
Hold on!' said Gen. Darlington, hastily and
| at the same time woman in a back seat
| Georgia Thomas, defendants sister, gave a
! piercing cry. followed by weeping and moaning
and she was carried from the room.
Gen. Darlington said the witness could not
| testify to that.
| Mr.. Lipscomb argued that he could and said
they would see about it. He said there were
but three men who knew of the shCoting-
George Williams, Henry johnson and John
,, Lewis johnson. The efforts Of defense had
, been to put the shooting on Williams. The
name OF this witness had not boen called and
It was not known that his testimony would go
| to such extent.
Gen. Darlington claimed that the testimony
should have been given in chief
MIR. Lipscomb replied that he offered it to
rebut the defendants case and to corroborate
the government.
The court said that the testimony was not in
rebuttal and it could only come in by consent
| OF the court and upon the statement that the
government did not know of it. To admit it
the case in chief would have to be reopened
and the defense be given an opportunity to
meet it.
Mr. Lipscomb said the witness had been called
on different point and he had not had the re-
hottest idea that he would give such testimony
testimony without success. He wanted to get
at the truth and the guilty should be the one to
suffer.
The chief justice said he would permit the
reopening Of the case in chief as the nature of
the testimony had just come to the knowledge
OF the government.
HIS ACCOUNT OF THE SHOOTING.
The witness was then examined and said
that he was with the others at Skelly's, and
went with them to Hattie Green's, and he
described the shooting, saying Henry johnson
committed the act. Geo. Williams, he said
went in the house and Turner came up. saying
hello" when Johnson fired. Geo. Williams
came out and he and Henry went across the
commons.
On cross-examination witness denied having
stated differently and admitted that he had
been before the District attorney, but did not
tell about the shooting. He was sure George
Williams did not do the shooting and that
Henry johnson did
George johnson, the father Of the prisoner
testified that the preceding witness had told
him that Henry did not do the shooting.
MIR. Llpscomb-''It is perfectly natural for a
father to protect his son."
Il am telling the truth" said the old man
emphatically, IF my boy did the shooting
am willing he should be punished
George Thomas testified that John Henry
johnson told him he did not know who did the
shooting.
After recess John Lewis johnson was re-
called and to the defense said that he had not
told any one that he did not know who shot
Turner. Several witnesses testified that such
statement was made by him and in the Dis
trict attorneys Office.
At 80 o'clock the defense offered number