Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-06
GEORGETOWN SHOOTING.
Patsy Rarriss Was Urged on by Tom
Williams.

The cororer's inquest in the case of the
alleged murder of Matthew Speuell by
Patsy Harriss. on July 4, was held today
ct the seventh precinct, and lasted from
10 until after l o'clock The following jury
was impaneled: VIM. H. Trunnel, w. K.
Stevens, Harry Howes. Henry Burrows.
John F. Dorsey, W. H. Brewton. Dorsey
is colored man.
The prisoner was represented by s. D.
Truett and ]. I. Duffy. DR.. Hammett pre-
sided. IKE first witness called was Deputy
Coroner Glazebrooke. He testified to hav-
ing made the post-mortem examination,
and found one wound in the arm of de-
ceased, made by the surgeon at the Emer-
&c rcy Hospital for the purpose of trans
fusion, in an attempt to save the prison.
ers life. The bullet. he said passed into
the left side, about six inches to the right
OF the madian line, in a direction up
ward and inward. passing through the
lntestines twice, and lodging in the fat
above the right kidney. Death was caused
by profuse internal hemorrhage.
The Trouble.
Mary Speuell said in speaking of the
trouble which resulted in the shooting
that her husband had spoken to the ac-
cuseds wife in the morning and she had
rebuked him, saying that PATSY didn't
allow her to speak to any man." She said
The prise ner was afterward spoken to on
the subject fy the dead man, and hot
words grew out of the conversation Har-
riss abused Speuell and acted in threaten
ing manner. Previously in the day he had
abused his wife and threatened to shoot
her She then took the first opportunity to
threw the pistol or revolver out of the
window. Later he recovered it. In the
first encounter with Speuell Harris fred his
pistol in the formers room at the wall to
prove tfat his weapon was loaded and
to show his earnestness.
This eliminated the encounter, and on
Speuell ordering HarriSs out the latter
turned upon him with such determine ton
that be ran.
Other Testimony.
Various witnesses testified TO the chase
up the street to the scene of the shooting
Among them were Ben. F. Harper, who
later captured the murderer; Thos. Graves,
Charles Gray, Julia Waller, Tom Williams,
John H. Ellis. Oliver Staden, William
Westbrook, John A. Ellis, G. B. Moulton.
Their evidence corroborated the story pub
lished in yesterdays Star.
The Verdict.
The last witness in the case testified that
when John Harriss ran in pursuit of the
deceased he was followed by Tom Will
Jams. a colored man, who urged him on,
telling him to shoot.
The jury were out only short time and
returned the following verdict
I'VE, the jury in the case OF John Harriss.
charged with killing Matthew Speuell, be-
lieve that said Speuell came to his death in
the hallway of house 1894 NJ street about
80 o clock pm, July 4. 1873, by a pistol
shot wound, said pistol in the hands of
said John HarriSs. and we further believe
and suggest that Tom Williams, colo.ed
who resides at 3706 Prospect avenue, be
held as an accessory to said killing"
Williams Arrested.
Williams was called by the defense, and
testified with great reluctance, and many
questions had to be put to him.
1t has finally developed through his own
testimony that he had been drinking with
the prisoner just before the shooting As
soon AS IT took place he rushed to the side
Of the murderer and handing him a pack of
cigarettes urged him to run.
This completely in the tragedy was re-
garded with such seriousness by the jury
that Williams was ordered locked up as an
accemplice to the crime. Later both he and
Harriss were handcuffed and taken to Jail.