The evening times., 1896-03-31

The trial Of John Lucas for the murder
OF Oliver Taylor October last was be-
gun shortly after 10 O'Clock this morning
before Judge Cole in criminal court No. l..
Both Lucas and his victim, were colored
The prisoner was defended by Messrs.
George F. Curtis, George Kcarney and Thos
Bryan Huyck.
Unusual interest, aside from that which
alwa US SURROUNDS a trial where human
life is at stake, was aroused in the case De-
cause OF the peculiar defense 1t had been
stated the prisoners la ycrs would make.
MIR. Curtis ANNOUNCED that he expected To
acquit the defendant OH proof that Taylor
did not die from the effect OF blows admin
istered by Lucas. but from natural causes.
District Attorney Arthur A. Birney and
his assistant. Tracy l.. JeriOris, con-
Quoted the prosecution. In his opening
speech mr.. Jenurds told the history OF
the murder. Lucus hau been separated
from his wife for nine months prior to
October 8, said Mr. Jefrords. On that
hight he went TO her house, lU1 Onye
street, Georgetown, nj found Tayior there.
The men quafrcIed anu went out together.
Lucas came back and broke in the frent
door anu entered the room where his vile
sat. Taylor came by lew minutes later,
ana Lucas inNltcu HIN IN dUOthcf QudTTcl
followed shortly ami Lucas struck his victim
with u potato niasber. He then ran out and
secured several bricks, with which he beat
Taylor's head, The potato nlasher and
bricks were gEastly exhibits today on the
prosecuting attorneys table. Lucas then
kicked his victim. and, after chasing his
wife out of the house. made his escape. Tay-
lor was taken TO the hospital and died four
days later.
Fully an hour and n half was occupied
in securing Jury. Mr.. Curtis made num-
bcr OF challenges and displa yed an amusing
eccentricity in his crosscxamination or
the prospective Jurors.
DO you believe i'll & od?'' ''AIe you a
married man?' and Have you ii family"
were some OF the unusual questions pro-
pounded 10 each member OF The panel.
The panel complete was as follows:
Philip F. Beiglcr, George z. Colison, A.
NJ. McLochien, Frank Wanstail, c. e.
Beebe, A. b. Fisbie, W. II. II. Griffith.
GartrcIl. W. B. Wiggington and A. 8.
Whiteside.
THE FIRST WITNESS.
Lizzy Gaskins, coiore,i, was the first wit
ness called. She was a Ieighbor of Mrs.
killing.
Did you see Lucas strike Taylor with
this potato masher?' asked Mr.. Birney,
picking up the weapon.
Yes; j saw him strike Taylor until he
fell"
Scott Hamel. a ten-year-old colored boy,
who saw the struggle and ran for po-
liceman, said he saw Lucas throw brick
at Taylor and then run down the street.
He picked up the potato masher where
Lucas has dropped it in his flight.
Where did Lucas go after he threw the
brick" asked Mr.. Birney-
He ran down K street.
.'Do you know what an oath is?' asked
Mr.. Curtis.
mo, SIR"
Il object to his testimony, then, your
honor" -" ~'-i'
THAT is a question for the jury re-
Piled Judge Cole. '-They may deterrrine
the weight of the evidence
Policefnaa Conion, the first patrolman on
the scene. was notified OF the occurrence by
two colored men. When he reached the
house he found Taylor in sitting posture
and UNCONSCIOUS He kept the man in a
sitting posture while in the patrol wagon
from the h0ts., It'd the Emergency Hospital.
Has any one spoken to you about this
case in the last two weeks asked Mr.. Cur
lis. who was very persistent in the Cross
examination of each witness.
''Dr. Glazebrook said couple of words
or SO to me,
..Ah, I thought So" continued Mr.. Cur
tbs. rising from lis chair. what was it,"
.,He simply asked me if there was any
blood about Ta ylor's mouth"
was that ALI?
lit was"
The court ordered an adjournment for
lunch at 12:35, but Mr.. Birney asked that
DIR. Glazebroos. the deputy coroner, be ex-
amined before adjournment. Judge Cole
consented.
A LITTLE TILT.
1T will take fully an hour to cross-ex-
anime DR.. GIa azebrook,' interposed Mr..
Curtis.
"Oh. surely it won't" said Judge Cole.
"Hc can soon tell what he knows about the
case
well. 1t will be some time before we
are through with him." said Mr.. Curtis,
defiantiy.
The witness detailed the condition in
which he found the dead mans body at
the autopsy on October IA.
II found a brrfisc inside the front of the
scalp. and 1t is my opinion the man died
from a conclusion of the brain caused by
blow on the forehead from a blunt in
strument. The man was in the first stages
of pneumonia. but that was not sufficient
to cause his death. He was of a delicate