Evening star., 1900-11-13
TRIAL OF JAMES LANCkTON
CHARGED WITH MURDER OF BETTE
LEE WREN.
Testimony Addurea Before the Judge
and Jury TSdsy-Deputy Cor
Oner'p Statement.

oner'sp Statement.
After many postpohements, the trial Of
James Lanckton, a veteran of the civil
war; indicted for the murder, the 18th of
last March, Of Mrs. Bette Lee Wren, was
begun today before Justice Clabaugh in
Criminal Court No. T. Considerable inter-
est is manifested in the proceedings, that
fact being attested by a crowded condition
Of the court room Lanckton appeared to
be In much better physical condition than
on the occasion Of his former appearances
In court. He was alert to catch every
word spoken. The prisoner was represent
ed by Attorney Fred Beall. Assistant
United States Attorney Gould appearing
for the government.
The work of empaneling a jury was be-
gun yesterday. After many talesmen had
been examined twelve men satisfactory to
both sides were secured shortly after ii
O'Clock this morning. Those placed under
oath to return true verdict, based on
the testimony, are Messrs. Aloysius B. Nc
Closky, James A. Paxton. James Pierce.
Charles c. kibbey, Otto II. Fischer, Err
nest M. Collins, Timothy Craven, Charles
L. Mann, Charles A. Cooper. John T. Scott,
c. w. Hall and Samuel Nugent.
Governments Opening Statement.
1Ho uelduS VI luS alleged CTlnS lTOm lHc
standpoint Of the government were recited
to the jury by Assistant United States At
torney Gould. He explained that Mrs. Bet
tie Lee Wren, widow, had been employed
by firm Of claim attorneys Of this city.
She resided at 634 E street southwest. and
was the sole support of an invalid sister.
Mrs. Wren rented room in the house
prior to December. 1899, to Joseph X.
Wheatley. friend of many years stand
fire of
place Of employment and took a great lik-
Ing to her. Later he took a room at her
house. According to the prosecuting at
torney jealousy arose on the part Of Lanck.
ton toward Wheatley. and. in fact, toward
any one who showed Mrs Wren any atten-
tion or courtesy and his jealousy led him
to utter threats against several persons,
including Mrs. Wren.
Because Of Lanckton's s action SO the jury
was informed, Wheatley left the house.
Actuated by Jealousy, Lanckton grew more
and more abusive and intolerant in his
treatment of Mrs. Wren. The former sol
der, the 18th of last March. was at 634 L
street southwest In a drunken condition.
Two policemen We're called In by Mrs.
Wren Tor the purpose Of preserving order.
Lanckton quieted down and therefore was
not placed under arrest. The government
would show. so 1t was stated, that the
evening Of the 18th Of March, in the pres
ence of servant. Lanckton threatened to
kill Mrs. Wren.
that Lanckton beat Mrs. Wren and inflicted
such injuries that death ensued several
days later. The victim found IN bed
helpless and dangerously hurt. Death was
directly due to a blood cot.
Nothing is definitely known of the crime
ITSELF" stated Mr.. Gould THE only eye
witness was the invalid sister Of the de-
ceased The sister Is Sixty years of age.
Since birth she has been deaf and dumb.
and furthermore she Is afflicted with st.
Vitus' dance. l. shaH1t place her on the
stand to see If we calI gain any informa-
ton from her i, OF
THE evidence will show" concluded Mr..
Gould, that Laucktou admitted to DR..
Morris that he had struck Mrs. Wren, and
also that he admitted ON another occasion
that he struck her and expressed renitence
for having done so. We shall ask at your
hands a verdict of guilty as indicted"
Deputy Coroner's Statement.
! DR.. L. W. Glazebrook. deputy coroner,
was the first witness called by the govern
| ment. He testified that the 10Th of last
March he performed an autopsy at the Co
lumbar University Hospital on the body of
Mrs. Wren. He found no outside evidence
of violence, he said. hut discovered in the
left cavity Of the skull above the ear. a
large blood clot that had been there for
some time. A small clot was located near
the base of the brain. The other organs
| were in a healthy condition. In the opinion
| Of the witness. death was due to cerebral
neInOETndSG, TeSullluS lEOA q DlOW.
The Attending PhysicIan.
| After a recess DIR. G. G. Morris was called
| upon to testify. He said he had known
Mrs. Wren. professionally. for some years
| She was a woman in good health usually
! The witness treated her principally foI
biliousness DR.. Morris was called to see
| the deceased at her residence the 18th ol
| last March. She was in semi-comatost
| condition, and the witness noticed symp'
| toms of brain trouble. A bruise was to be
| seen above the left eye Of the woman
| When the doctor called to see Mrs. Wren
| the date mentioned Lanckton was in tn;
| room with her. He had been drinking.
II asked Mrs. Wren what the mat
| ter with her." testified DR.. Morris, "anG
she replied in a whisper that Lanckton ha6
| hit her."
| The witness ordered Lanckton to leave
but he protested. saying he was Mrs. Wren's
husband This upon inquiry being made
| Of her, the witness denied The doctor
thereupon insisted that Lanckton should go
and threatened, If he failed to do so, tt
| summon the police.
"As I helped Lanekton to put on hi:
| coat" said DR.. Morris, II inquired of hin
why he had struck Mrs. Wren. His repl,
| was that he was drunk a the time
Threats Alleged.
| Joseph R. Wheatley, who at one time oc
| cupied a room at Mrs. Wren's house. fol
| lowed DR.. Morris on the witness stand. He
| testified regarding certain threats he de
clared he had heard Lanekton utter to Mrs
Wren Some of the alleged threats, &C
cording to the witness. We're:
| II can strike you with a sand bag ant
| kali you, and the doctors could never tel
| how it happened
"If l should kill you I'd get off becaus.
| they'd say was crazy
| "I'Il kill you; I'll cut your throat
The defendant, according to the witness
also applied vile names to Mrs. Wren.
Ellen Wren, the afflicted sister of the
deceased, was next offered as witness
A, the request of the court DR.. E: NJ. Gal
laudet of the Kendall Green Institute, con
| Quoted the examination. Dr. Gallaudet ex
planned that she is not deaf mute, bu
her hearing and vocalism are imperfect
When this report closed an effort was IL
progress to show that MISS Wren was {
| cOmpetent witness.