The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-14
LINE OF LANoKToN's DEFENCE.
His Counsel Claims Mental as Well
~ PhNsicaI Mealzness.

When the trial of James Lanckton, who
is charged with the murder of Mrs. Bet
tie L. Wrenn, in March last, was re-
sumed this morning, his attorney.
Fred BealI, stated his line of de-
fence to the court and Jury.
While he disavowed any intention of
making insanity plea of defence, he
laid great stress on the assertion that
Lanckton's mind has been wrecked by
trouble, drink and as the result Of
wounds he received while a soldier in
the Army during the civil war
When the court vas convened Miss Ida
King the last witness, offered by the Gov
eminent yesterday was recalled by the
defence, for the purpose of laying the
foundation for her contradiction Miss
King denied, IN answer 10 questions by
Mr. Beali that she as interpreter fJr
Miss Ella Wrenn. had stated to Attorney
Mcdonald, or anyone else, that Mrs.
Bcttic NFenn had complained Of u pain
in her SIDE before the alleged assault
In his statement 20 the jury MIR. Beall
made brief review of the Defendants
life. Lancston. he said is nearly Sky
six years Of age, and answered Prs dent
Lincolns FIRST call Tor volunteers He
served throughout the war, having been
wounded several times. After the var
I.anckton entered the snow business
About five years ago he was We Y Ill
a Rochester. y. Y. His wife LETT the
house 10 procure some medicine fol I'm
and was killed at q street corner by
passing train This. il WAS alleged. great
" shocked Lanckton mentally and rhysi-
cally-
After leaving Rochester the defendant
came 10 Washington. where he met Mrs
WTenn. Her. likeness to his deceased
wife il was said. greatly impressed Lanck-
ton. and he became infatuated with her
1t was also stated that she took him 10
her home. clothed and fed him, and even
gave him money. On one occasion when
LaRckton got drunk and left her home,
Mrs. WTenn secured a cab and went after
him and brought him back
Referring TO the circumstances iZGme-
diately surrounding the death of Mrs.
Wrenn, Mr. Beall stated that it would be
shown that Lanckton at that time was
verging on deliTium tremens, and that he
really is not able 10 recount what occur
rel on the night of March y, the date
when L IS alleged Mrs Wrenn received
her fatal injuries.
In conclusion Mr.. Beall further stated
that it would be shown by competent eyi-
dence that IL would have been impossible
for Lanckton TO have inflicted the wound
from the effects of which, il is alleged,
Mrs NTenn died
The first witness called for the defence
was Attorney Edward L. Gies. who had Wis
tied Lanckton at the District jail {. few
days after his incarceration. Mr. Gies vas
called 10 testify as to the condition of the
defendants mind but the witness was held
10 be incompetent to give evidence on this
point
Capt. a. 4. Maxim. Superintendent Of
the Temporary Soldiers Home on Missou
ri Avenue. testified that a few days be-
fore she IS alleged 20 have been assaulted
Mrs Wrenn came 10 the home and made
enquiry for Lanckton. The witness stated
thai he informed Mrs. WTenn that Lanek-
ron was near the corner of Third Street
and Missouri Avenue. drunk. He was
unable TO say whether or not Mrs. Wrenn
went to where Lanck5on was at that time
Mrs. Wrenn informed the witness that she
Intended to marry LaBckt0n, bCt- that he
drank heavily and was addicted to the NOR