Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-20
DOCK THARP TRIAL |
Is Accused of Being Responsible for Aaron
Bishops Death.
Statement of What the Government
Expects to PrOve-The Testimony
Of the Deputy Coroner.

Dock n. Tharp, formerly an enlisted man
in the 9Th United States Volunteer Infan-
try, was placed on trial today before Justice
Clabaugh in Criminal Court No. l. accused
of the murder of Aaron Bishop, one of his
comrades by shooting him. while they were
in the 9th street depot the evening of the
31st of last May. Attorney Fred Beall ap-
pears for the defendant. the prosecution be
ing conducted by Assistant United States
Attorneys Taylor ard Semmes. Although
Tharp is a stranger in this city, being a
native of Mississippi, marked interest Is
manifested in the case. and when the trial
began this morning there were just as
many spectators in the court room as the
baiifTs would admit.
Tharp appeared in court wearing the uni
form of a United States solder with the
insignia of the 9TH Volunteer Infantry in
brass on the collar of his blouse He
greeted two ladies. residents of This city,
who have interested themselves in his be-
half.
The impaneling Of jury was begun.
The examination of talesmen occupied
about one and a half hours AT the end of
which time the following were sworn as the
jury: William f. Slater, Robert l.. John-
son, Andrew Miller, Orlando Smith. John
II. Anderson. Malcolm Henry. George w.
White. John w, Dunbar, c. j. Bridget
Dent Freeman, Ralph W. Lee and William
Lanham
At this point. it being II o'clock, recess
was taken until 10 o'clock.
The Governments Case.
When the court resumed consideration of
the case this afternoon Assistant United
States Attorney Taylor recited. for the
benefit of the jury, what the government
expects to prove. He stated jim substance
that after service in Cuba the 9TH No,un
Pnu of
at Camp Meade, Pa. the 31st of last May.
En- route to their homes in the south many
members of the regiment spent several
hours in this city the evening of that day.
When the soldiers assembled at the 9th
street depot to continue the journey south
Tharp was under the influence of liquor.
Although the train he was to take had not
been made up Tharp insisted on being ad-
mitted TO the train shed. Sergt Joseph Ac-
ton of the police force took hand in pre-
venting Tharp from forcing his way
through the gate.
The soldier thereupOn discharged pistol
four times in RAPID succession. one bullet
struck Sergt. Acton in the arm and an
other killed Aaron u. Bishop. a member of
The 9TH Volunteer Regiment, who was
standing some distance from Thar. The
arrest Of the latter followed.
The first witness. Sergt Acton. testified
in accordance with the declarations Of the
prosecuting attorney. no new facts being
disclosed by his examination.
DR.. l.. W. Glazcbrook deputy coroner,
who performed the autopsy the body Of
Bishop next testified that death was due
to cerebral hemorrhage. resulting from
gUnshot wound. The bullet entered the
right side Of the forehead and passed
through the brain. being located by the
witness on the left side Of the head. at the
rear, directly beneath the skull
Saw Man Fall.
Thomas J. Parish, the next witness. who
vas at the 9th street depot the evening of
the shooting, told of hearing a pistol dis
charged and of seeing man fall. Accord
lug 10 the witness. the man who fired the
shots was not struck by the police prior to
the shooting.
Policeman Richard T PAYNE also de-
sCribed the shooting. He had not con-
cluded his testimony when this report
closed.