Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-16
THE CRIME OF MURDER
Charge Upon Which George Ashton is Being
Tried.
Jury Sworn and Testimony Introduc
ed for the esult
of the Autopsy.

Hearing was resumed today before JUS
tice Clabaugh, in Criminal Court No. 1,
in the case of George Ashton. colored, In
dicted for the murder the 9th Of last
November Of Ida Jackson. also coll
ored. The following were sworn as a
jury: James B. Holiday. c. F. Dant, Geo.
E. Dunster, Geo. M. D. Jory. VIM. ]. Crock
EFT, F. G: Willett, Walter M. Aler George
w. Arnold. Edwin R. Archer John G. shu-
grue, Samuel c. Anderson and John E.
Martin, jr.
Assistant United States Attorney Gould
made statement of the case to the jury
substantially as was published yesterday in
The Star. 1t was in substance that Ashton
being Jealous of the Jackson woman kick
ed her to death while in room on the
second floor OF house No. 40 10Th street
shorty before 3 O'Clock the afternoon of
the 9th of November.
The first witness for the government was
James P. Loveday, who resides In a house
adjoining the one referred to. About 1890
o'clock November q the witness heard
noise and screams next door, They contin-
ued until after l. O'Clock.
Mary Shorter, who occupied the lower
floor of the 10Th street house, told the jury
that between 1890 and 1 O'Clock the day
OF the crime she heard humping noise
In Ida Jackson's room.
William H. Reed, the next witness. tes-
titled that he called to see Ida Jackson the
9th of November. Ashton was there. The
witness went out to get some beer. On
his return he stopped in Mary shorters
room While there he heard Ida cry:
Murder! George, don't beat me-
The witness later saw Ashton at the po-
lice station. Ashton said to the witness:
Let this be lesson to you to let wo-
men aone.'
/ Policeman Philip Brown and Henry C.
Lee testified as to the taking of Ashton into
custody and as to statements made by the
prisoner.
DR.. Sterling Ruffin, who performed the
autopsy on the body of Ida Jackson, in
formed the jury regarding the nature Of
the injuries.
Persecution Closes.
AT the afternoon session Lieut.. Boyle of
the third precinct, Detective McNamee, Po-
Iiceman NJ. G. Hearn, kenmore w. Sokers
and William T. Smith testified for the gov
eminent. Nothing of Importance was de-
veloped by their examination. The prose-
cution then announced It's case closed.
After Justice Clabaugh had overruled a
motion that the jury be instructed to con-
slider the case, from this time, man.
slaughter, and not murder, Attorney Jones
made the opening address to the jury for
the defense.
He stated that the Jackson woman, the
day Of the crime. had called Ashton harsh
names. had struck him on the head with
a chair. She grabbed him around the neck
and they scuff1ed He struck her with his
fist several times to make her release her
hold on him. The woman finally fell to
the floor. Ashton also fell and rolled down
the stairway. He returned to the room, but
finding the woman dead. proceeded to the
third precinct station and surrendered to
the police.
The crime, according to counsel. could
not be construed of greater magnitude
than manslaughter.
At the conclusion of Attorney Jones' re-
marks the court adjourned until tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock.