Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-23
THE CASE OF ARNOLD.
Decision as to the Prayers on Both Sides
Arguments Commenced

tnls morning OF the trial OF Theodore G.. Arnold
for the murder of John Kramer on the 21st of
last June Judge McComas announced his de-
cision as to the prayers submitted yesterday by
the government and the defense. Seven
prayers were offered by the gov
eminent, and all but the sixth
were granted with notifications. The defense
submitted six prayers. The first three were
| granted with notifications. the fifth was
granted in part and the fourth and sixth were
| rejected. The defense objected to the granting
of the prayers offered on the part of the gov
eminent. reserving exceptions thereto, and also
excepted to the modification and rejection of
their own prayers
1t was mutually agreed between the prosecu-
ton and defense that if it could possibly be
done each side would occupy three hours in
submitting the case to the jury, and Mr.. Hugh
| T. Taggart opened for the government.
| Mr.. TAGGARr FOR THE PROSECUTION.
Mr.. Taggart said that the case should be de-
cided solely upon the evidence and in the light
/ of the law. The statement of the defendant
! that he killed Kramer because he believed HIM
1 self to be in danger of his life great bodily
| harm. ridiculed in view Of the physical
| condition of both men. The defendant by his
conduct on the stand and during the trial had
| shown himself to be a cool, determined man,
4 devoid of fear. He was unusual man who
| had violated law and right. Arnolds conduct
just preceding the shooting was not that of a
man peaceably inclined, DESTROYS of avoiding
| any and all difficulty with the man whom he had
wronged. ArnOld's testimony should be care
! fully watched and whenever his evidence con-
ficted with that of the prosecution it should
| be remembered what he had at stake in testify
ing.
THE SHOOTING DESCRIBED.
Mr.. Taggart then infinitely described the
shooting as testified to by the witnesses for the
government Kramer, while passing quietly
by said Mr. Taggart, was accosted by Arnold,
and although Kramer passed on. saying
that he wished to have nothing to
do with the defendant. Arnold persisted in
his remarks. and when Kramer turned back
when in the middle of 5th street Arnold adj
| vanced toward him from the sidewalk and fired
both shots before they got together. Arnold
| stood on that street corner tnat evening
with revolver in his pocket, while
not even penknife was found
on Kreamers body. Arnold's remark when he
| and Kramer were pulled apart by the by
| ISLANDERS. Take him; I'm done with him" was
no. only significant. but also disclosed the de-
PENDANTS unlawful purpose. The remark at
| tributed to Arnold by one of the witnesses,
\ You come across the street, was not only in
the nature of threat challenge.
| but it also closely showed that Arnold did not
attempt to avoid trouble. On the other hand,
Kramer. small. insignificant man. clearly
showed by his actions just preceding the shoot
to have nothing to do with the man who a mo-
ment later shot him to DEATH
ARNOLD UNWORTHY OF BELIEF.
Arnold was referred to by Mr.. Taggart a
man of more than average intelligence, q col
lege professor and a most creditable student of
law who had, while in Jail. given himself up
entirely to the task of altering the testimony of
others in his behalf. Such man,
urged Mr.. Tasgart, especially when testifying
to save his own life or liberty.
worthy of no belief. On the stand he showed
himself to be a cool. calm and deliberate man,
conscious of every word he uttered. Trans
planting that man to the scene and time OF the
shooting, was there any reason for believing
that he was not such man at that time and
that he unable to distinguish between real
and false fear? Surely not said Mr.. Taggart.
Only once did the cool. calm man on the wit
ness stand lose that calmness and self-contrOl,
and that when the damaging papers writ
ten by him while in Jail were sprung upon him.
Then complete a collapse followed. due to
the deadly effect upon his case which he real
lied caused by the introduction of those
papers that he compelled to abruptly
leave the stand and thereby collect himself.
ARNOLD NOT AFRAID OF KRAMER.
Arnold not only not afraid of the insig-
nificant little tailo-. said Mr.. TagSart, but he
had indeed threatened to kill Kramer before
that fatal meeting at 5th and streets. The
two men had met before that time, and nothing
in Kramer's conduct mad occurred to show in
the slightest manner that he intended to do
Arnold any violence.
Referring to Arnold's statement that as soon
as he learned that Laura Kramer a married
woman ne ceased his illicit relations with her,
it was ridiculed by Mr.. Taggart and the jury
asked if they could believe that Ar
mold. himself married man. then
suddenly changed from passionate,
ardent lover TO a mere professional adviser.
Smart and intelligent as the defendant was. the
speaker did not for an instant imagine that he
could thus throw dust into their eyes. The
truth was. said Mr.. Taggart, that Arnold con-
tinued his illicit relations with Mrs Kramer
three weeks after his alleged discovery
that she was married woman. Con-
trasting Arnold and Kramer. Mr.. Tag
CART said that the great difference
between the two men was that Kramer sought
to redress his real or alleged wrongs in the
courts, while Arnold stuck pistol in his pocket
and III that hostile manner proceeded to sit in
Judgment on his fellow man.
Without concluding his argument Mr.. Tag
CART gave way (at l2:40) for recess.
CONTEMPT NOT FEAR.
Resuming his argument after recess. Mr..
Taggars said that Arnold had no feeling
toward Kramer but that of contempt
1t was absurd to believe that he
feared the man he killed The jury
should not forget that it had been testified that
Arnold had said to Kramer one night a short
| time previous TO tine shooting. You dirty cur,
if you follow me. I'll kill YOU That
the occasion when Kramer discovered Arnold on
the street in company with Mrs. Kramer That
remark showed the feeling Of the defendant
4 toward the deceased, but. remarked
Mr. Taggart, there was no evidence of
fear in that remark on the part of
| Arnold. Kramer said to the policeman whom
Arnold called to escort Mr.. Kramer b me:
''She is my wife, and that man is living with
her" Arnold replied '.You a liar
But, asked Mr.. Taggart, who a liar?
Arnold. who knew what Kramer said, was too
| true, or the wronged husband?''
IT WAS ANOTHER HILL
Mr.. VIM. W. Hill of the Post Office Depart
| partment, who a witness for the Defense
writes to The STAR follows:
! I'm your issue of yesterday, reporting further
proceedings III the Kramer-Arnold case, your
| reporter fails to initials otherwise dis
J tiuguish between two witnesses of the same
! name called for the defense, thereby doing me
a great injustice.
| Permit me to say that my slight connec ton
with the case consisted in being importuned by
/ the late MIR. Kramer for professional advice,
| and that am not the person referred to in the
/ testimony of the Post reporter, Mr.. Robert NJ.
| Collins am happily not one of the multitude
| who appear to have succumbed to the wiles of
| the wife of the deceased.