Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-11
THE KILLING OF FOSTER
Grand Jury Examining Eye Witnesses Of
the Tragedy.
An Indictment Expected - COlored
Pastors Denounce Omcer Green
From the Pulpit.

District Attorney Birney had today some
ten or twelve witnesses before the grand
jury in the case of Policeman Green. who
last Monday shot and instantly killed the
young colored man Foster near Anacostia.
To Star reporter Mr.. Birney explained
that he had only summoned before the
grand jury those persons who were either
eye-witnesses of the shooting, or were in
some way more or less closely connected
with the tragedy. No witnesses as to the
character of Foster, said Mr.. Birney, had
been summoned, for the reason that the
mans character. good or bad, had or has
nothing to do with the case. Believing
that the killing of Foster was unwar-
ranted. although, perhaps. unprecedented.
Mr. Birney stated that he was confident
that the grand jury would return an in
responsible for the mans death.
Referring to the published statement
that the friends Of Officer Green had en-
deavored, by the use OK money, to induce
letter asking that the officer be not prose-
cuted, Mr.. Birney, while acknowledging
the receipt Of the letter. explained that the
mothers communication Mad no influence
upon him one way or the other. The mans
mother could not, he stated, and would not
be recognized in the matter.
Mr. c. Maurice Smith, of counsel for
policeman Green, stated to a Star reporter
today that while he had neither advised
nor encouraged the inducing of Fosters
mother to write the letter, he felt that
the matter had been somewhat misunder-
stood. He was opposed to any such pro-
ceeding, but explained that it was but
natural for Green's friends to endeavor to
settle the sad affair. If possible. "All we
OF public feeling until after the trial. The
shooting was a terrible and wholly I'M
expected accident, and at the trial officer
Green Will offer fair. honorable and suf-
fc hvrf fnfr Il q
the officer, who bore an excellent reputa-
ton, should not be convicted unheard, and
we only ask that he shall not be pre-
judged"
At st. Paurs A. NJ E: Church, sth street
southwest, last evening the pastor, in
charge, Rev. j. w. Norris, preached, and
at the close of his sermon he spoke of the
shooting of Foster. A vote was taken by
the congregation condemning the action of
Officer Green.
Denounced by Pastors.
The shooting of Foster. the colored man,
by Police Officer Green, supplied the theme
OF the discourses Of the pastors of several
colored churches yesterday. Rev. s. Geriah
Lamkins. the pastor of Salem Baptist
Church. said that there Is one conclusion
| to be reached by fair-minded people, and
| that is the killing was unjustifiable and
| without provocation, and this, in the eyes
| Of the law, both Of God and man. is wiilful
| murder"
The pastor Of the Israel NJ E. Church,
Rev. s. B. Wallace, at the conclusion of
the services yesterday morning, spoke If
the shooting of Foster and said: II con-
denim the killing of Foster at Anacostia by
Policeman Green as a foul murder. 1 feel
safe in the District; when I meet a police
| man on the street I feel that I am in a
measure protected, but when police officer
| whips out his revolver and shoots down a
man for the sin of attempting to escape
| n a inst
public sentiment will condemn the act, and
| the government authorities should mete out
just punishment to the offender.
| Il have confidence in the district attorney
| to do his full duty in the premises, and
that the police of the District will be
taught the lesson that human life is not to
| be ruthlessly taken without even the
shadow of provocation.'
| Rev. DR.. Lee, the pastor of the Vermont
Avenue Baptist Church. said in the course
of his sermon last evening: Had the po-
| iceman shot Reuben Foster in some
of his lower limbs. and the man even
subsequently bled to death. would be will
Ing to forgive him. but for the man In an
| angry moment to take a life which he could
| not give is more than I can overlook.
II cannot comprehend what sort Of men
| they were who composed that jury. They
certainly never read the Bible or they
would not have brought themselves to de-
clare in the face Of the evidence that the
shooting was accidental.
| II do not call Green's offense a murder,
| because 1t was not premeditated. I think
| that the crime was committed hastily and
that ten minutes later he would not have
| done 1t for the world, but predict that If
through the technicalities of the law Green
is permitted to escape punishment che
Judgment of God will follow his descen-
dants to the fourth generation"
He said that he believed legal investi-
CATION of the case is demanded, and that
the police officer ought to be convicted OF
manslaughter and pardoned before he Is
sent to the penitentiary.