The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-03
LACK OF MOTIVE FOR THE DEED.
The Line Of Argument to be Pursued by Mrs
Bonine's Counsel
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, d. c., Nov. 30.-The Gov
eminent today closed it's case in the trial
of Mrs. Lola Ida BONNIE for the killing
of James Seymour Ayres, Jr., and At
torney Keene, of counsel for the defense,
made a preliminary statement in behalf
of Mrs. BONNIE. 1t was made evident
from Mr.. Keene'S statement that the eff
fort will be to show lack of motive for
the crime on the part of Mrs. Bonine
and to support her plea that Ayres was
killed in a struggle after he had tried to
intimidate her with revolver.
The principal witness on the stand to-
day was Prof. Schaeffer, a chemist, who
made microscopical examination of the
wrapper worn by Mrs. BGnine on the
night of the tragedy, and who said that
he had found no traces of blood upon it.
He also said that he saw no blood on the
slippers which she had worn on that oc-
casion. Another witness of the day was
Ayres' father, who told of an interview
he had had with Mrs. BONNIE three or
four days after the killing. He outlined
his efforts to arouse her sympathy, but
said that she did not respond.
The court room today presented some
what the appearance of a junk shop from
the fact of number of the belongings of
Ayres' room in the Kenmore Hotel were
exhibited. These included the blood
stained carpet, which covered the floor,
Ayres' two trunks and section from the
inner part of the wall of the room, be-
longing under the window showing blood
upon plaster and washboard. The
wrapper worn by Mrs. BONNIE on the
night of the tragedy also was shown
Lieutenant Jas. A. Moore, of the police
force. was the first witness, He identi-
fed this miscellaneous assortment OF
chattels.
DR.. Edward M Schaeffer, the chemist
who made a search for blood on Mrs
Bonine's wrapper and analysed the blood
on other articles in Ayres' room, testi-
fled that he had examined the wrapper
with great care and had failed to find any
indication whatever of blood. 81 did not
/ find a spot as big as pin head" he said
He also said that the rips under the
| arms are now larger than when he flrst
| saw the dress.
District Attorney Gould asked: 'In
case Of a struggle between large per-
son and a small one in which the larger
had been so wounded that blood poured
over the smaller persons shoulder and
|
would it have been possible to cleanse
| the garment from the blood that would
| have gotten on it?"
ut would have been possible to do sc
| by the use of chemicals and by boiling
| in vat replied the witness. by this
process all traces of blood can be re-
moved"
would ordinary washing take it out?'
II think not"
| eff the garment had been recently
washed could you have determined the
| fact?"
| Il couldi it had not been washed
| DR.. Schaeffer was subjected to rigid
| cross examination, Mr.. Fulton, one OF
the attorneys for the defense, using fol
the purpose of illustrating his points 9
Young man and later Mrs. Meacham
Mrs. Bonine's sister, DR.. Schaeffer saic
| il was not possible for two persons fall
| ing as Mrs. BONNIE says she and Ayre:
fell without the woman getting blood
upon wrapper worn by her at the time
When DR.. Schaeffer was excused Jas
| S. Ayres, father af the victim, was called
4 to the stand. He told of coming t.
/ Washington the day after the tragedy