Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-05-11
THE TRIAL OF JEFF. PHILLIPS.


morning. The jury, which is being
quartered at the Braddock House, were
ushered in shortly after ten O'Clock:
The hygienic cline, water and menu OF
Alexandria, together with the balmy
spring weather now prevailing, are be-
ginning to impart their effects on each
member of the jury and they all APP
peared fresh and bright. The prisoner
was placed in the dock subsequently
and at half-past ten o'clock court con-
vened, when the doors were opened Tor
the mass of spectators which had been
for over an hour awaiting admission.
Ropes were stretched on the Cameron
street side of the court house in order
that the noise of passing teams would
not interfere with the proceedings OF
the court. On several occasions yes
terday it became necessary to suspend
the examination of witnesses until the
clatter occasioned by passing teams mad
ceased.
The first witness called was James
Kenney, of Washington, special Of
ficer on the steamer S. ]. Pentz during
the summer of 1891. He knew both
the prisoner and the deceased; saw the
latter ten days before the shooting at
River View with, 'Cappy" Crossman;;
Smith had made a remark about Phil
lips witness told the latter about 1t
four days before the shooting. An OBJ
lection was made by the prosecution
when the defense asked if the remark
made had been in the nature ola threat.
The objection was sustained and the
defence took exception.
Mr.. Burke then stated that the de-
fence desired to show the character and
occupation of the deceased, and 1t was
decided that while this was being done
the Jury should retire from the room.
Mr.. Burke then addressed the court.
while the latter was thus engaged DR..
Bedford Brown, who attended Phillips
when the latter was injured by the cars,
retired with Phillips to an adjoining
room where the doctor made careful
examination of the prisoners condition
mentally and physically.) Mr.. Burke's
purpose was TO urge that the deceased
was dangerous man and that Phillips's
act was in the nature of sclf-detence.
Another purpose was to show that the
occupation of the deceased savored
of a sporting nature. Some colloquy
between counsel for both sides and the
Judge followed as to admitting certain
statements concerning the life of the
deceased as well as that of the prison
er. The court ruled that evidence
going to show the dangerous character
of Smith could be admitted, but ruled
out everything in regard to his occu-
patton. The defence excepted to the
ruling.
DR.. r. NJ. Jones was subsequently
put on the stand, when the jury were
returned to the room. His evidence
was in regard to the post mortem ex-
animation of Smiths body which was
made by the witness and DR.. OBrien,
and showed which wound caused
Smiths death.
DR.. Brown when placed on the
stand testified that he, for some years,
had attended all the members of the
Phillips family; the prisoners father
and brother had died from tubercular
consumption; the witness had attended
the prisoner since he was boy ; the
|
his broken arm later he attended him
for hemorrhages and a cough the apex
of the prisoners left lung was diseased;
consumption seemed hereditary i'll the
family witness did not remember at
tending the prisoner for the injury to
his head thc doctor examined the
prisoners head, but couldn't identify
his handiwork.) He did not attend
Phillips when the latter was shot by
Frank DeLea.
DIR. Jones was recalled. He had at
tended the prisoner for hemorrhage,
the result of tuberculosis.
Phillips himself was then conducted
to the stand, and necks were craned to
see him and every effort made to hear
what he had to say. Substantially his
evidence was as follows: He was born
in Alexandria about 80 years ago, and
grew up without any education. When
between S and 8 years Of age his head
was caught between the bumpers OF
two freight cars. He was then just
high enough for his head to come be-
tween the bumpers. He exhibited a
scalp wound, and said since the accl-
dent he had been compelled to keep his
hair cut short. DR.. Brown bad render
ed the necessary surgical aid at the
time. His father and two brothers had
fallen victims of consumption aud the
prisoner had suffered from hemorrhages
for the past or 10 years. He was a
man of small vitality and had been con-
fined in Jail nearly % months, during
which time he had taken more medi-
cine than during all the other years of
his life. He told of the difficulty he
had with Frank Delea q few years
ago, during which he received a pistol
ball in the chest; since which time, he
said, he had been excitable. In an
swering questions concerning his rela-
tions with the late George S. Smith he
said he and the deceased had
been on friendly terms for years
and had been interested in the
same business pursuits-had work
ed together night after night for
weeks and months. About six months
previous to the shooting he had spoken
to Smith and his salutation had not
been returned. He had encountered
him several days later, had again spok-
en- to him and received no response. 1t
was then he began to realize their rela-
tions had suffered a rupture. and sub
sequently had been told BY several par
ties to look out for Smith. When ask
ed the nature of the threats the pris-
oner replied that they were to the ELECT
l. j III