Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-10
The CHARGE OF MURDER
HEARING OF EVIDENCE IN TRIAL OF
WILLIAM str Mp
Accused of Taking the Life of james
Lee-The Fatal Wound
DeScrilsed.

The introduction of testimony in the case
of William Stump. white. indicted for tine
murder of James Lee colored. by shooting
him. the 18th of last December. was begun
today in Criminal Court M. !. Justice C1a
baugh presiding. Attorneys Lipscomb and
Walker appeared for the defendant. the
government being represented by Assistant
United States Attorney Taylor. Early dur
Ing the session today the impaneling of
jury completed. the following being
sworn to pass upon the guilt innocence
of the defendant: Messrs. Wallace Muir
dock. John J. Fister. Adolphus T. Lipp-
hardt James C. Carroll William Baker,
George w. Thomas. Samuel w. Stewart,
George f. Long. Joseph +. Caldwell. Carl
Mueller, W. a. Pyles and w. n. Christo-
pher
In a brief explanatory address to the jury
the prosecuting attorney stated that Stump
Lee and colored man named Edward
Owens lived in II house known as No. 3
cooper's alley, in Georgetown. While at
supper Stump and Lee had some words
Stump accused Lee of taking some food be-
longing to the former, and without prOvoca-
ton, shot the cOlored man. Lee died sew
eral hours later at the GeOrsrtoWn niver-
sity Hospital.
From Standpoint of Defense.
Attorney Walker followed Mr.. Taylor. re-
hhSNN
the standpoint of the defense. He declared
that Lee was a man of desperate character.
Stump and Lee had worked together for
years On several occasions Lee had at
tempted to take the life OF Stump. The
evening of the shooting the two men had
some words about washing the dishes. Lee
said to Stump:
shut UP or I'll cut your head Off
The deceased thereupon grabbed case
knife and jumped at stump The latter
reached for pistol hetonging 10 Lee and
fired.
According to counsel for Stump. their
client was attacked by desperate. vindic-
tive man: he could not retreat, and there
fore fired in self-defense.
The Fatal Wound.
DIR. L. W. Glazebrook deputy coroner,
and DR.. Arthur McNamee of the George
town University Hospital testified regard
ing the nature of the wound that resulted
In the death of Lee. The bullet had en-
tered about seven inches above the base of
the spine and had perforated the ntestines.
The wound was necessarily fatal
The only eyewitness of the shooting. Ed
ward Owens, next took the stand. In sub
stance his evidence was that between 2:3o
and O'Clock the 18th of December Lee en-
tered the house in CooperS alley and CEN
sured Owens in regard to the condition of
the dishes The witness explained that he
had not had time to wash the dishes. At
this point stump turned around ana SAD.
Him. are You mad with me-
NO" replied Lee, Il am not mad with
you"
Stump then remarked. Il believe you is
reached for the pistol and fred TWO shots.
DIR. Vaughan's Testimony.
DR.. Vaughan. the next witness testified
to the character of the wound and the
operation performed on the murdered man.
Policeman Daniel Connor. who arrested
alley. and when Stump was fifty yards
away the latter said: Here am; come and
get me-.
Il said To him. testified the officer, you
are in trouble. Why did you shoot that
MANI"
"'Cause he ate my grub Of corn beef and
turnipS, was the answer.
Stump was unarmed and said the revolver
used belonged to Jim Lee ana could be
found on his porch.
Common testified that when they met Ser
geant OConnor Stump said. using profan-
ity, that he intended to kill Lee. What
do you suppose l shot at him fnr?' was
his expression. The witness further said
that when the pistol was examined at the
station house it was found TO contain two
empty shells and three loaded cartridges.
Lee died on the 18th of December said
the policeman. '.and as soon as | heard of
his death l went to the prisoners cell and
told him of it,
"T don't give a - he said. whether
he is dead or not.
Alleged Confession.
Police Sergeant ConIon testified that after
the arrest of Stump the latter admitted
that he had intended to kill Lee When in
formed that Lee was dead Stump remarked
that he did not care.
The next witness, Frank b. Lord news
paper reporter, testified regarding d state
nent alleged to have been made to the
witness by Stump. at the seventh precinct
police station. the night of the shooting.
The only motive for the shooting Stump
gave the witness was that Lee was raising
a disturbance. When told by the witness
that Lee was dead. Stump said:
ut serves him right: he should have be-
haved himself
After the shooting. Stump told the wit
ness, Lee said to Stump: You had better
get away: the police will be after you for
shooting me-"
The government at this point announced
its case closed
The Defense Opens.
The defense, shortly before O'Clock,
opened its case by calling witnesses to
prove that Lee was a man of desperat e
character and possessed bad reputation.