Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-14
PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE
Joseph Cooking Will Probably Be Tried
in Charles County.
Says He Has Confidence in His Neigh
bors-The Hill Top Double
Murder Recalled

Joseph Cooking. the Englishman who was
arrested at his home at Hill ron Charles
county, Md, on charges of brutalIy muir
dering his wife and sister-in-la;Y Miss
Daisy Miller, on the I'D of April, as pub
lished in The Star at the time, will prob
ably be tried at La Plata next week. The
grand jury of the county Will meet Monday
morning, and the double murder will be
the hrSt case investigated. Cooking who
was taken TO Baltimore to protect him
from threatened mob violence is still i'm The
Baltimore jail
For the first time since he was arrested
he discussed the case yesterday with re-
porter for the Baltimore American.
Il am very glad the trial is near at
hand. / am sure Of proving my innocence.
and naturally want this irving ordeal
over" he said to the reporter
TRUSTS His Neighbors.
Have you any fear of an unjust trial
at the hands of the people Of Charles
county. from which the jury will be St
lected?' was asked.
No, | haven't the slightest fear: hut
that all prejudices against me brought
about, in a great measure. by the untrue
reports that have been circulated against
me. will he removed. ! have always been
respected by the people of .ny ur!ghbor-
and an sure that 10 hearsay evidence
viii be considered by the jury. or have
any weight in their decision. ! have been
besieSed by nay friends to have the case
moved from LA Plata: but l have steadily
refused to make such effort, or allow
my attorney to do so. Should ! do this
the opinion wo'IlG lac formed that / feared
justice, and | am sure Of getting justice
at the hands Of The southern Maryland
people, who know me. and haze never
known me to commit any wrong or have
even heard any unfavorable reports about
Inc until ! was arrested Oh This charge"
Assured of Acquitted.
Cooking says that he has furnished his
counsel all the evidence necessary to ac-
cult him.
That my arrest was the result Of con-
spiracy will be the manstay Of my de-
Tense. i have every reason to believe Sus-
picion was cast upon ne through the eff
forts of a party whose name / viii not
mention, but whose motives for so dong
l will clearly show. / have had difficulty
with the party referred to, and | think ne
was instrumental in having me pointed out
as the guilty one; but l viii change all
prejudices against me when the trial takes
place"
Cooking has proved himself model pris-
oner and. speaking Of his relatives. he
said he appreciated their kindly feelings
toward him. and cares more for their Opin-
ion than he does Of what the public thinks
Il can talk to them and be cheered up by
their comforting WORDS he said. John
Miller, the brother OF my dead wife, Was
here to see me yesterday. | have turned
over all my bushes affairS to him. He has
been compelled to close my store how
ever, as he is a farmer and cannot attend
to his place and my store too. My mother
in-law would have been up to see me, bat
she has charge OF my children, and as the
elder one, Annie. has been sick with cilils
she has been una bic to come a : yet
My mind is perfectly al ease so far as
this charge is concerned. / am in better
health than at any time since / arrived
here and | haven't lost one moments
sleep. My hardest trial is the one the pub
lie gives least consideration to- and that is
the loss of my wife, and the terrible cause
of the breaking up Of my little home"