The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-17
IN THE DISTRICT COURTS
Criminal Branch No. / to Hear
Two Murder Cases.
Trial of w. M. Alexander, Alleged
Slayer of Matthew Snow, Set for
This Morning - Boyd Wallace to
Answer for Stabbfng to Death His
Brother-in-Law, Robert Stafford.

Two murder cases are set for trial dur
No. 1. The first which viii be called is
that Of William NJ Alexander. who is
charged with the murder of Matthew
Snow, and will be begun this morning. The
other is the case of Boyd Wallace, colored,
who is charged with the murder Of Rob-
coincidence the crimes for which both
prisoners are called to answer were COM
mitted on the same night, August is last.
Wallace and Stafford, it is said. were
brothers-in-law and quarreled over a
woman. Very little, however, seems to be
known as to the cause which led to the
assault made upon Snow by Alexander and
which resulted in his death.
1t is stated by persons who were we'll
acquainted with both the prisoner and the
victim Of Alexander's wrath that for
long time before the killing OF Snow he
and Alexander were the best Of friends.
Even on the day preceding the night on
which Snow was beaten and kicked to
death the two were together and on the
best of terms. During the early part Of
the day, 1t is said. Snow and Alexander
attended a picnic in the suburbs near
Benning. They returned to the city about
Up m. At that time il is also stated that
Snow was under the influence of liquor.
They beth went to Marble Hall Alley,
which is in the square bounded by Four
and half and Sixth Streets and Penn
sylvania and Missouri Avenues. The alley
mentioned crosses another alley about the
centre of the square and at their inter-
section II is said Snow seated himself
upon q stone. Alexander continued his
way to a stable farther up the alley. Upon
his return Snow. 1t is stated, hailed him
as he was passing and at the same time
grasped Alexander about the legs. AS to
what happened after this there seems to
be a diversity of opinion. Alexander, 1t
is said, admits that he struck Snow twice
IN the face with his fist. Beyond this he
declares that he made no assault upon
Snow. When Snow was picked up from
the ground some minutes later blood was
flowing freely from a deep wound on his
forehead. From the appearance of the
cash on Shows head it was concluded that
Alexander had used brass knuckles in his
attack upon his friend.
Snow was quickly removed to the Emer-
gency Hospital for treatment. There an
examination OF his wound disclosed the
fact that his skull was fractured. When
found after being assaulted BY Alexander
Snow was In an unconscious condition and
did not regain consciousness before he
died.
II Is also stated that after Snow was
assaulted by Alexander he walked some
distance up the alley, then staggered
and fell. In this connection 1t is con-
tended by the defendant that when Snow
fell It was forward and upon his face. and
In doing so struck on the sharp edge Of a
rock, which fractured his skull. While
there were many persons in the alley at
the time the assault was made. none Of
them, however. appear TO know anything
OF the circumstances under which II was
committed. They claim that II happened
so quickly that II vas sill over before their
attention was attracted, and the arst they