Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-19
KILLING or OFFICER SLACK.
The Judge Says the Act Was Nothing but
Manslaughter.


In the trial of Charles Meyers for the killing
Of Officer Sack, after the report of THE STAR
had closed yesterday. Justice Cox reserved his
decision the motion OF defendant 10 strike
out the testimony Of Meyers as to drunkenness.
John H. Buscher testified as to Stacks repu-
tation being that Of quick-tempered. dan
gerous man, and this closed the testimony for
the defense.
Miss Addie Slack recalled by the govern
ment and denied that she had said the affair
was due to liquor.
Rev. Geo. G. Markham testified that Slack $
reputation was excellent for preserving the
peace
Judge S. C. Mills. H. II. Griffith and $. A.
Coombs testified TO Stacks good reputation.
Col. Moore testified that Slack was a kind
man. but of quick temper, and on cross-exam-
lnation said he had been convicted of drawing
pistol on an officer. He had been requested
by iaN-abid:ng citizens not 70 take Slack of
a beat.
Inspector Pearson and Sergt Slattery testi-
fed TO the efficiency of Slack and that he was
quick tempered
Officer Crawford testified that he saw four
ladies from Meyers house in Stacks. and one
of the Meyerses said: I'VE know nothing about
It. Ii was all over before we got there"
Mrs. Slack corroborated this statement
Today's Proceedings.
This morning the government recalled
Meyers, the defendant. who testified that he did
not take two large glasses of whisky at Miller
on his way home that night. nor did he carry
the knife which was used under his wagon seat.
he did not known a Mrs. Newman. nor did he
remember that she rode in his wagon a few
weeks before. He drove home slowly that
night.
Mrs. Lucy NJ. Newman testified that about
two months before the occurrence she rode in
Never wagon ont the Benniug road She
noticed knife on the seat Of the wagon and
the knife presented looked like it.
On cross-eNamlnation witness said the cover
of the seat was accidentally raised She went
out TO Mrs. Martins to attend birthday party
but did not know the names of the parties
there. She denied that she was insane but bad
been sick great deal and confined TO her
room. She was asked IF il was not a screw
driver. and answered, Il know a screwdriver
from knife"
Redirect-Was not living with her husband
Luke Carroll, an old colored man, testified
that he worked market garden and knew
Miller's saloon saw Mr.. Meyers there the night
OF the killing and he took two drinks Of
whisky. Meyers drove past him rapidly. has
horse being on a lope coiaiug up the hill.
On cross-examination witness said Mrs. Slack
had him summoned twice yesterday and stop
ped at Mrs. Stacks last night He left Benning
-
He was sure that Meyers was driving fast. There
were two or three others driving stages on the
road.
Elliot Weiderman,- a young colored man
living at the race track. testified that he AT
Slack house: saw Mrs. Movers and her three
danghters. and heard one say, I'VE don't know
anything about II. "
The defendant noted an exception to the
testimony
sig:rund ]. Block testified that he was an
officer at the time and was at the house of
Slack; saw Mrs. Meyers and her daughters and
Que OF them said she knew nothing about the
circumstances
Lieut.. Il. D. Boyle was called by the defense
and testified that he had been on the force
nearly nineteen years. He assisted in the ar
rest of Slack before he Wa On the force for an
assault and remembers that Slack kicked him.
THE DEAD OFFICERS SISTER
AT this point a well-dressed lady walked up to
the court and asked excitedly if she could ask
a question.
The court-"Are you witness!'
NO. sir. responded the lady,
MT. Lipscomb Mr.. Stacks sister"
''les. sir. she replied. land want to know
if you are irving dead man. My brother is
dead and il he We're alive would not object to
1t. but | don't think you should try a dead
man.
On intimation that she could not be hea I'd
she returned 10 her seat.
The government here called Officer Cahill
and offered Stacks pistol and baton in evidence,
the pistol not being "a regulation pistol, where
upon Mr.. Cahill said thar the weapon was
loaded and there we're two empty shells in it,
The officer was directed TO remove the cart
ridges.
Mr.. Joseph Harper deputy clerk of the Po-
lice Court called and examined as TO a
warrant sworn GU. by Mrs. Ellen T. Movers
against Charles ]. Meyers. the defendant
The defense objected, but was oyerruled.
Mr.. Harper said that Mrs. Meyers swo-e out
the warrant.
Or cross-examination witness said that the
warrant was nolle pressed.
Mr.. Lipscomb asked if the paper was offered
in evidence. and receiving an affirmative reply
objected and noted an exception
This closed the rebuttal
The counsel presented a series of drawers
those for the defendant raising The point that
the attempted arrest was Illegal during the
reading.
ONLY MANsLAUGHTER.
The court said that the alleged offense was
simplya misdemeanor, not a breach of the
peace. and warrant could have been secured.
Under the impression that the arrest under the
Levy Court ordinance WAS illegal il did no. JUS
fifty taking life in resisting arrest. but the case
could not In this view be more than man
slaughter
District Attorney Cole read from the statutes
as to the duties of officers (sec. 1871 to arrest
without warrant any person in their presence
for any violation of law. &C., and claimed
that the offense violation of
the ordinance of the Lew Court,
The court..sa that the ordinance itself made
the penalty a fine. recoverable in an action of
debt
Mr.. Cole-Then the court will instruct that
the offense is not higher than mansiaughter
The court answered that he could not in
struct the jury to find beyond the grade of man.
slaughter and the contention of the defendant
of self-defonse then comes in.
recess was taken to 1890 o'clock.
THE ARGUMENTS.
At 1890 O'Clock Mr.. Clagett began the argu-
ments.