Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-10-11
SAMUEL, BATS TRIAL
Charged With Causing Death of
- Il John ]. Eagle.
GOVERNMENT CLOSES It's Case
ri
Plea Of Defense is That Death
Was Accidental.
THE EVIDENCE SUBMITTED

Samuel Bait, young white man about
twerty-stx years of age, was placed on
trial in Criminal Court No. 2 this morning,
Justice Bradley presiding Bait was tndict-
ed by the grand jury on a charge of man
slaughter, 1t being alleged he became In
volved in an alteration with John J. Eagle
and friend, and assaulted the former
and inflicted injuries from which he died.
The prosecution was conducted by Assist
ant District Attorney Joseph Shillington.
while the defendant Bait was represented
by Attorney Thomas Taylor.
The governments claim is that the even
ing of July II last Bait and friend, Henry
ID. Hayden, returning from Glen Echo on
their bicycles, encountered Eagle and Will
liam l.. Hoblitzell at the corner of 14th
ana ID streets northwest Bait. it is said,
ran over HobitzelFs foot. Blows followed
not words. and when the combatants had
been separated it was seen that Eagle was
lying on the pavement. He afterward
arose, went to his home and was found
dead in bed next morning, his death result
ing from fractured skull The prosecu-
ton claims Bait got excited in his strug-
gle with HoblitZell and assaulted Eagle.
me de1enSe, on the other hand, contend
that Eagle and Hobiitzell had been drink
ing; that when his foot was struck by the
wheel Hoblitzell applied a vile epithet to
the deceased. it is alleged, had nothing to
do with this fight. His death, 1t is claimed
was most likely the result of an accidental
fall, due to his Intoxicated condition.
On the stand Hoblitzell denied that he
had cursed Bait declaring that the latter,
after running over witness foot. came back
10 the corner and wanted to know what he
(WltneSs) was going to do about it. The
witness declared Bait cursed him and SAID
he then struck the man.
On crOSS-aXa miQdtiGn HDhitZell admit ted
that he and Eagle had been drinking but
were not intoxicated. He could not say
now Eagle was hurt and admitted that
after the alteration he shook hands with
the defendant and told him sit was all
right
Hnydcn's Testimony.
Hayden, who was with Bait at the time
OF the alleged assault, declared positively
Hoblftzell cursed his friend and then struck
him. TWO blows were struck, and then
witness separated the men. He saw Eagle
lying on the pavement, but did not know
how he came thera and could not say
whether the defendant knocked him down
or not. BAIT, he said, did no more than
protect protect hi11self when assaulted by Hob
Deputy Gpronqf Glazebrook told of the
Eagles death. Jehn Robinson. James Hail.
William T Lawrence. William Shelly and
w illlal HHetzlnann were also examined,
but added nothing material TO the above.
The government here closed it's case and
the court adjourned unit / o'clock.
DcfeHtiant's story.
After recess the defendant took the stand
and told Of the trouble between himself
and Hoblitnel. hfs testimony being cor
roboration Of Hayden. While the defend
ant and Hobltze4 were engaged in a fight
provoked hyT the BITTER Raft declarad Ea ola
dropped in Front Of him in sitting posture
He denied positively that he struck Eagle.
Argument was begun in the case shortly
before O'Clock Mr.. shillington opening
and closing for the government, and Mr..
Taylor arguing for the accused.