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

George Ashton, eoiored, was yesterday
convicted of the murder of Ida Jackson,
also colored, on November q last. The
jury, however. qualified its verdict, making
the punishment imprisonment in the PEN
itentiary for life instead OF death on the
gallows.
Unusual interest was taken ia the trial,
for the reason that until the defendant
went on the witness stand yesterday TO
testify in his own behalf, 10 one except
his counsel, knew what his defence would
be, and because Representative william d.
DAILY, Of New Jersey, one of the most noted
criminal lawyers of that State was to ap
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 prosecuted the case
with his usual tact and brililancy. His
closing argument for the Government was
q terrible arraigument of the prisoner and
forcible analysis of the testimony IN the
case. Attorney Thomas L. Jones, who also
appeared for the defendant, also made
very forceful and logical argument in de-
fence Of his client.
The story OF the crime as told by the
witnesses for the Government was that on
the afternoon Of the day upon which Ida
Jackson was killed, Ashton went TO visit
her. He had not been long in the house
when sounds, az IL two people were fight
ing. came from the room in which they
we're. Soon after this cries of murder were
heard, and n a minute or two Ashton left
the house. He did not remain away lo3g
and when he returned again went TO Ida
Jackson's room. During this visit 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 a stick or club She
said she also heard Ida Jackson cry out,
''oh, George, don't kill me-" In a moment
or two after this Ashton is SAID TO have
left the house, and about an hour after
ward surrendered himself TO the police.
he. however, did not inform the authori-
ties OF the crime he he'd committed.
It was claimed BY the Government that
Ashton had killed the woman by beating
her with his fists. kicking her with a heavy
pair Of new shoes he wore, and then strik-
ing her with a chair. When he gave him
Self up 20 the police there was blood on
his shoes and blood stains were also found
on the rungs of chair in the Jackson
woman's room. 1t was argued that the
chair was broken by striking the woman
with it.
In relating the story Of the crime Ashton
denied that he had struck the woman with
anything but his fists. On this statement
the defencs 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 crose-examination by As
ststant District Attorney Gould did not ap-
near to disturb or excite him
Ashton stated emphatically that the wo-