Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-26
RODGERS RESPONSIBLE
JURY OF INQUEST SAYS HE KILLED
FRANK HOOKS.
Defendant Committed to Jail to Await
the Action of Grand
Jury,

Coroner hewitt held an inquest this morn
ing at the sixth precinct station in the case
Of Frank Hooks. colored VINO was stabbed
to death in South Washington early Mon
day evening, it is alleged, by Ernest Rod
gers, also colored as published In yester-
days Star. The prisoner was present at
the inquest with his counsel, Attorney Col
var The jury heard several witnesses and
returned a verdict holding Rodgers respon-
sible for the death of Hooks. He was
thereupon committed to Jail to await the
action of the grand jury.
A colored woman named Laura Coates
was one of the most important witnesses
examined. She told Of being in the house
OF man named Smfler in Broad alley
Monday when Hooks and kid Lomax
We're playing. The latter was hurt and he
threatened to kin Hooks. Later she saw
the men on the street and Ernest Rodgers
started row with Hooks. The latter went
nome and when he returned, in a few min
utes, Rodgers walked up to him and
stabbed him.
Witnessed the Quarrel
Eugene Miller, 355 l street southwest, tes-
tined that he was near the corner of Sd
ana U streets Monday when several coored
men came out of a saloon quarreling. Wit
ness thought there was going to be trouble
ana he watched them for a few minutes
Inc men walked along G street, going west,
ana witness saw one man strike another
ana Knock him down. After striking the
pioW the man who committed the assault
walked away. Witness then went on about
ms business, having no Idea that weapon
nad peen used or that fatal injury had
been inflicted. The victim witness said
appeared as If he were going to strike his
assaiiant or defend himself from an assault
clarence hooks, colored, brother Of the
ha
the time of the stabbing. His brother told
him that he and kid" Lomax had been
fooling and that his brother fell against him
and hurt him. LomaX told witness he was
going home and get a revolver and shoot
his (witnessD brother.
He did get the revolver said witness,
for he drew 1t on me that night
Witness said he heard his brother explain
to Ernest Rodgers that he CHooks) had not
injured Lomax Intentionally. Rodgers, he
said, told him to go away and let him alone,
for he Rodgers) would stab him to death.
Witness pulled his brother away and Rod
gers tiptoed over to him and stabbed him.
When witness pulled his brothers coat
aside he saw the blood. He called assist
ance and took his brother to the drug store
Afterward he was taken to the hospital.
Was With Rodgers.
Clinton Brooks, colored. testified that he
was with Rodgers during the evening and
they had a drink together. He heard
HOOKS say ne nad smashed LOmaX and
that he would also smash Rodgers. Wit
ness said he did not witness the fatal
encounter. So far as he knew the men had
always been friendly After the affair oc-
Cured Hooks, he said, gave him a pen
knife and he afterward gave it to a wo-
man. He did not see Hooks have his hand
in his hip pocket. Witness said he be-
came excited and threw his own penknife
in his pocket.
Joseph Cousins. colored testified that bs
was on the street when the quarrel started
Frank Hooks went home and when he re-
turned he met Ernest Rodgers near a va
cant lot. He saw Rodgers raise his hand,
and Hooks fell. Witness did not see Hooks
attempt to strike Rodgers. Witness saw
no knife.
Policeman Anderson told the jury of the
arrest. He said that at the time of the
arrest Rodgers had loaded revolver In his
hand and was holding it in his pocket. The
knife was taken from his vest pocket after
he reached the station. Witness did not
know that Rodgers had admitted having
inflicted the wound. Policeman Kemp also
gave testimony and the case was submit
ted.