The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-12
4 Week IN THE COURTS
LanektOn to Be Put on Trial This
Morning for Murder.
Story of the Alleged killing of Mrs.
Bette Wrenn-Jealousy Supposed
to Have Prompted 1.-THE Prisoner
to Make q General Denial of the
Crime-Insanity Plea Abandoned.

The first murder trial to be held during
the October term of the Supreme Court
of the District will be begun this morn
ing in Criminal Court No. 1. The defen-
| dant will be James Charles Lanckton, who
| is charged with the murder of Mrs. Bet
tie Lee Wrenn, on March IL last. The
accused will be represented by Attorney
Fred Beall.
Lanckton Is an old Union soldier and a
| pensioner. and, it is said, became ac-
quainted with Mrs. Wrenn about three
| months before she died. She was employ
ed at pension agency on f Street, where
1t is said Lanckton frequently went on
business in connection with the drawing
of his pension. AS the story goes he be-
came very fond Of Mrs. Wrenn and pro-
posed marriage to her. Il is alleged that
she spurned the offer and informed Lanck-
ton that she did not wish him to breach
the subject to her again. A few days after
this conversation is said to have taken
place Lanckton, it is stated, called at the
home of Mrs. Wrenn and assaulted her
and that she had to call a physician to
dress her wounds.
About week later Mrs Wrenn died,
and it was believed that her death result
ed from the wounds said to have been in
fiicted by Lanckton. Within a few days
after the death of Mrs. Wrenn Lanckton
was arrested and charged with being re-
sponsible for her death. He denied his
guilt and has since contended that he new
er in any way injured the woman. Since
his arrest Lanckt0n has been in jail await
ing trial.
1t was the intention Of District Attor-
ney Anderson to call Lanckton to trial
during the April term of the Supreme
Court of the District, but at the request
of the prisoners counsel the case was
postponed. Justice Clabaugh, who granted
the continuance. did so very reluctantly
and at that time, 1t was understood,
Lanckton would be put on trial as early
as practicable during the present term
of court. At the opening of the October
term of court, however. Lanckton inform
ed the District Attorney that he desired
to secure other counsel than Messrs.
Fitzgerald and Mcdonald, who had been
preparing his defence. The matter was
called to the attention of Justice Clabaugh
and an investigation showed that a sew
erance was as much desired by counsel
as it was b. the defendant. Col. Fred
Beali then took charge of Lanckton's de-
fence, and because of his knowledge OF
the circumstances of the case, Mr.. Nc
Donald has been since assisting Mr.. Beall !
Exactly what will be the line of defence |,
Mr.. Beall has not stated, further than to
say that Lanckton Will make general |
denial Of the charge against him. Lanck- |
ton, Mr.. Beall stated, will testify in his |
own defence. The allegation that Mrs. |
Wrenn rejected his proposal of marriage, |
Lanckton says, is not true, for 1t was !
agreed between them that they were to |
have been married in May last. Further |
than this he will testify that he and Mrs.
Wrenn never had any quarrel or misun
which would have led him
10 assault her.
Last summer, when the postponcment
II Lanckton's trial was under considera-
ton 1t was intimated that the defence
would probably be a plea Of insanity, and