The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18
GEORGE ASHTON GUILTY
The Jury COnvicts Him Of the Mnr-
der of Ida Jackson.
A Qualified Verdict Saves Him From
the GHIIOws and Makes His Pun
fshment imprisonment for Life
The Prisoners story of the Crime
mistaken by Cross-ENnminRtion

George Ashton, coiored, was yesterday
convicted Of the murder OF Ida Jackson,
also colored, on November . last The
Jury, however. qualified its verdict making
the punishment Imprisonment in the pen
itentiary for life instead Of death on the
gsllows.
Unusual interest was taken il the tIial,
f0F the reason that until the defendant
went or the witness stand yesterday 20
testify in his own behalf 10 one except
bis counsel, knew what his defence would
he, and because Representative WHlnm D.
DAILY. Ct New Jersey. one Of the most noted
criminal lawyers OF thar state. was 90 APP
pear as associate counsel in the Gaze. The
case was conducted on behalf of the Gov
eminent by Assistant District Attorney
Ashley NJ Gould who pro-ecutn1 the case
with his usual tact and briliaucy. His
closing argument for the Government was
o terrible arraignmpnt OF the prisoner aud
fOTcible analysis Of the testimony Dr. the
case. Attorney Thomas L. Jones. who also
appeared for the defendant also made
very forceful ard logical argument in de-
fence Of his client.
The story Of the crime as told hy The
witnesses for the Government was thai on
the Afternoon Of the DAY upon which Ida
Jackson was killed, Ashton went TO visit
her He hsd not been long iu the house
when sounds, as II two people were fight
ing. came from the room ir which they
were. Soon after this cries Of murder were
heard, and IN 8 minute or two Ashton left
the house. He Old not remain away lo1g
and when be returned again went to Ida
Jackson's room. During this visit a Colored
woman named Mary Shorter. who occupied
G room on the hrst floor Of the house
stated she heard sounds as II some one was
striking another with stick or club. She
said she also heard Ida jackson CITY out
oh, George, don't kill me" IN a moment
or two after this Ashton IS saii 10 have
left the house and about an hour after
ward surrendered himself 10 the poll e.
He, however, did not inform the authori-
tifG Of the crime be he'd committed.
II was claimed BY the Government that
Ashton had killed the woman by beating
her with his fists. kicking her with a heavy
pair Of NV shoes he wore, and then strik-
ing her with chair. when he gave him
self UP 20 the police there IVES blood Oh
HE shoes, and blood stains were also found
on the rungE Of a chair IN the jackson
womans room. II was argued that the
chair was broken by striking the woman
with Il.
In relating the story Of the crime Ashton
denied inst he had struck the woman with
anything but bis lists. On this statement
the defence claimed that the jury could not
convict for any greater offence than man
slaughter, because no deadly weapon had
been used by the defendant.
When the defendant went on the witness
stand TO testify in his own behalf he was
calm and spoke with elaboration, and the
long, searching REORGANIZATION by As
Hstant District Attorney Gould did not ap-
pear TO disturb or excite him
Ashton stated emphstcally that the wo-