Evening star., 1900-11-15
WITNESS IN HlSOWN BEHALF
JAMES LAyCKTON DENIES THAT HE
STRUCK MRS. WREN.
Maintains That the Relations Be-
tween Them Were Most Cordial
Testimony All In.

The introduction of testimony in behalf OF
the defendant in the case Of James Lanck-
ton, on trial for the murder Of Mrs Bette
Lee Wren, was resumed this morning be-
fore Justice Clabaugh in Criminal Court
No. l. The first person to take the stand
today was Mr.. E. L. Gies, the attorney-at-
law, who appeared yesterday Mr.. Giles
was called for the purpose of testifying re-
garding the mental and physical condition
of the defendant short time after he was
placed under arrest last spring. Upon coun-
sci for Lanckton announcing that it was
not the intention of the defense to ad-
vance the plea of insanity, Justice Clabaugh
declined to admit in evidence the state
ments 1t was desired to derive from Mr..
Giles.
DIR. Irving Rose. next called as a medical
expert. testified, in substance, that when
two blood clots are found in the skull of a
deceased person. as in the case Of Mrs.
Wren, it would be q difficult matter to de-
termine exactly the cause of the rupture
OF the blood vessel, or vessels, without
resorting to a pathological examination.
James A. Moran, who Is connected with
the office where Mrs. Wren was employed;
Clarence Haley and Meyer Greenbaum,
who appeared before the jury in the order
named, made statements to the effect that
shortly before the alleged assault they had
seen Mrs. Wren and Lanckton together on
the streets, and that their relations seemed
to be entirely friendly.
Defendant on the Stand.
The defendant at this point took the wit
ness stand. After stating that he was
born In Hamilton, Ohio. and will attain the
age of sixtysix the 18th of next January
and giving a recital of the principal events
of his life. Lanckton told the jury of his
meeting with Mrs. Wren at her place of
employment By letter, he said, she in
vted him to call at her residence 634 E
street southwest. Later at her request he
took room at her house. AS time passed
they agreed that they should be married.
The relations of the pair were of an af-
fectionate character. and, Lanckton said,
Mrs. Wren called him papa" The we'd
ding was set for the 18th of January last,
which was the birthday Of the defendant,
but the latter suggested pOstponemenI in
order that wedding trip might De taken,
such an outing not being feasible In Janu-
ary.
Lanckton declared that he never had
trouble with Mrs. Wren. On the other
hand. an evidence of their friendly re-
lations. he said. she bought clothing for
him shortly before the alleged fatal as
sault
DO you know anything about the cause
Of Mrs. Wren's death?'' inquired Attorney
Beall
No sir; I do not" declaredLanckton with
emphasis. unless 1t resulted from fall
that she got.'
Denials by Defendant. -..
The defendant testified that he did not
remember anything regarding the happen
ings March IL, the day on which 1t Is as
serted. the assault was committed About
2 o'clock the afternoon Of the day in
question explained Lanckton he heard
scream. He hurried to Mrs. Wren's room
and found her lying on the floor "all dou-
bed up" The defendant procured some
,r,,in nr,lh hat hn TO
citate the woman. After awhile she "came
to- and remarked to LancktOn.
Papa, what's getting into me?"
Lanckton asked Mrs. Wren to tell him
how she fell. Her answer was, SO he testt-
fled, that she just felt herself going, that
she turned and grasped the bed clothes,
but didn't remember anything more
The day following the fall Lanckton said
he summoned a physician to see Mrs. Wren,
her objection to his doing
so.
Lanckton repeated that he had no knowl-
edge of the cause of the womans death:
that he did not strike her. never abused or
threa tened her, or applied vile names to her.
He also denied that he had ever admitted
that he struck Mrs. Wren blow.
Assistant United States Attorney Gould
conducted an exhaustive examination Of
Lanckton. An interesting feature was a re-
cital, illustrated by motions by the de-
fendant of the great strength he at one
time possessed, when he was connected
with a circus.
Concluding Testimony.
When the examination of Lanckton was
concluded the defense announced that its
case was closed. The government called
several witnesses in rebuttal. The only
matter Of any Importance developed there
by consisted Of statement from Ida King,
the attendant Of Mrs. Wren's invalid sister,
that this sister informed the witness. by
signs. Wednesday, March IA, that Lanck-
ton had struck Mrs. Wren.
No further testimony being presented the
court next gave consideration to prayers
for instructions counsel desired should be
given the jury.
The discussion of the prayers for instruc-
tions was in progress when this report
closed.