The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-08

There are three prisoners in the District
Jail charged with being responsible for the
death of other persons. Two of these are
William NJ. Alexander, under Indictment
for the murder of Matthew Snow, and
James Lanckton, charged with the murder
of Mrs. Bette Wrenn, in March last. 1t
was expected that Lanck;on would have
been called TO trial some time this week,
but few days ago he reported to Warden
Harris, of the District jail, that his coun-
sci, Messrs. Fitzgerald and Mcdonald, had
abandoned his case. The matter was at
once reported to District Attorney Ander-
son, who, in turn, informed Justice Cla-
baugh, presiding in Criminal Court No. /,
of the condition OF affairs.
| Justice Clabaugh ordered Lanckton to be
brought into court last Saturday morning,
| and also notified his counsel to be present
and hear what the prisoner had to say
| concerning the management OF his defence
Unfortunately, Justice Clabaugh was en-
gagged with Attorney Tracy L. Jeffords, i'll
| preparing the bill of exceptions In the ap-
peal of Charles L. McUin, convicted of
| murder, and the enquiry concerning the
declarations OF Lanckton had to be post
! poned. 1t was stated, however, that the
matter will be called up for investigation
| during the early part of the present week.
According TO the statements made by
| Lanckton, he charges his counsel with
| abandoning his case, on the eve Of his
being brought TO trial. He claims that he
advanced his attorneys about $3.50. His
counsel, 1t is understood, admit of receiv-
ing money. from him, and state that the
greater part of it was expended in secur-
ing evidence TO be produced at the trial
Tho pivpu for hei IN wifi H.
draw from the case is, it is alleged, that
Lanckton has abused them and criticised
their methods of conducting his defence.
The money which they received from
Lanckton, not expended in efforts to Sc
cure testimony, they contend, they are en-
titled to retain as fee for the work al
ready done in his behalf.
Lanckton was indicted for the murder of
Mrs. Bette Wrenn during the early part
of last summer and was called to trial in
June. Messrs. Fitzgerald and Mcdonald
appearing for him, asked that the case be
continued until the present term of court
on the ground that IL was impossible to
secure the presence of several witnesses
material to the proper defence of their
client. Justice Clabaugh granted a post
ponement of the trial for a week, but at
the end of that time the situation was the
same and Lanckton's counsel repeated this
plea for a continuance until fall The re-
quest was granted by Justice Clabaugh
with the understanding that i.anckton
would be called to trial as early as prac-
ticable after the beginning OF the October
term OF the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict.
In discussing the request for postpone
ment of Lanckton's trial last summer his
counsel intimated that under the circum-
stances the defence might enter a plea of
insanity. II was to secure testimony along
this line, 1t was understood. that the pris-
oner's counsel asked for delay.
Taking all things into consideration 1t
may be stated that from the stand taken
by Justice Clabaugh last summer he will
call the case for trial at as early a date
as is practicable with justice to the de-
PENDANT In the event that Messrs. Fitz-
gerald and Mcdonald do withdraw from the
case and Lanckton does not secure other
counsel the court will assign some mem
Der OF the bar to defend Lanckton and
allow him ample time to prepare his de-
fence.
In the meantime 1t is probable that
William NJ. Alexander will be put on trial
for the murder of Matthew Snow, on Aug
ust 16, last, in Marble Hall Alley 1t is
said that there were but few witnesses
to the killing of Snow and 1t is not ex-
pected that the trial will last longer than
two or three days.
The hearing on the petition of Thomas
J. Mackey for a writ OF habeas corpus.
to secure the release of his wife, Kathe-
rine S. Mackey, from st. Elizabeth's Asy-
lum for the Insane, will be had today at
! p. m, before Justice Cole. in Criminal
Court No. 2. The writ was made return
able on Friday last, but owing to some
misunderstanding as to who should ap-
pear to represent the asylum authorities
the hearing was postponed until today.
Mrs. Mackey was committed to ST. Eliza
beth's Asylum for the Insane in May last,
at the instance Of her father, Col George
A. Porterfeld, of Charlestown, W. Va,
and 1t is believed that he and other reia-
tives will resist the ATTEMPT If her hus-
band TO have her released.