The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-25
IN THE DISTRICT COURTS.
Lnncton to be Called for Trial Befor
Judge ClnbRugh Today.

Judge ClnbauEh Today.
James Lancton, who is charged with the
murder of Mrs. Bette Wrenn In March
Criminal Court No l. When the accused
| was called to trial on Monday last his
| attorneys, Fitzgerald & Mcdonald asked
! for postponement on the ground that sew
eral of the witnesses important to the
| defence were absent. Some of these wit
| nesses, 1t was stated, were beyond the
jurisdiction of the. court, being residents
| of Western States. After hearing the
| statement of counsel Justice Clabaugh
| with much reluctance granted continue
| ance until today although the defence
| asked that the trial go over until the Octo-
| Der term of the Supreme Court of the Dis
| trict.
| Mrs. Wrenn is said to have died from the
effects Of an assault made upon her on
March IL last at her home. ga E Street
southwest She had been employed at a
pension agency at Street and Lancton,
who is about fifty-four years of age, was
a client of her employer. During visits
to the office Lancton. it is said, gained a
speaking acquaintance with Mrs. Wrenn.
lie, II Is Salu, 10 ner winch
she repulsed. This, however. did lot deter
him and he would frequently wait in the
neighborhood of her Office and when she
would leave after business hours, despite
her protests, would accompany her to her
home at 63i Il Street southwest On the
night of March u last, while under the
influence of liquor, it is said he called at
Mrs. Wrenn's home and made proposal
of marriage to her. This she declined and
/ ton shnr tc oil
Mrs. Wrenn brutally, beating and bruising
her. AS a result of the injuries sustained
by her it was necessary for Mrs. Wrenn to
be removed to the Columbian University
Hospital where. on March 49, she died of
paresis and complications. Lancton was
arrested on information given the police by
DR.. C. G. Morris, who attended Mrs.
Wrenn from the time she was assaulted
until she died.
1t is understood that Lancton's defence
will be that Mrs. Wrenn died from the eff
fects of wounds which she accidentally re-
ceived. When the question of a postpone
ment of the trial came up last Monday the
suggestion was dropped by his counsel that
possibly plea of insanity might be made
as defence.
In Criminal Court. No. @ Frank Turner
and six others, all colored, will for the
third time be called upon to answer to
charge OF feionioas assault upon Miss Dora
Linkins. in July last, near the X Street
Bridge. over the james Greek Canal The |
first time they were tried they wero con-
victed and sentenced by Justice Cole to
thirty years each In the penitentiary at
w. Va On account of newly !
discovered testimony Justice Cole granted |
the accused a new trial. When this came |
on the jury which heard the evidence fail |
cd TO agree upon q verdict and were dis
missed.
The reading of the testimony in the case
Of John G. Oeser and others, against the
Standard OIL Company, which was begun
last Tuesday before Justice Barnard in
Equity Court, No. 2, will be resumed to-
day.
The trial of ]. Frank McKenna, who is
charged with obtaining money under false
pretences, is set for Wednesday next in
Criminal Court, No. /.