The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-11-21
CONFORTED BY Her HUSBAND.
SGathing Afraignment by
Attorney Tagg2rt.
DELIBERATE MURDER IS CHARGED
Counsel Describes Relations Be-
tween Ayras and the Accused.
Examination of Witnesses
in Hotel Tragedy Begins

This was a coId-bIooded, deIber-
etc killing; it was a felonious mur-
der, and we shall prove it TO be such.
James Seymour Ayras arose from
his bed, hearing a noise. As he ap-
preached the window leaden bullet
struck him. He dashed forward to Sc
cure the hidden assailant, and another
bullet pierced his breast He sank 10
the floor. weItering in his own blood.
We propose to prove that this
woman's story is, from start to finish,
mass of untruths"
Case of the Prosecution.
Such was the -arraignment Of Mrs. Lola
Ida Henry Bonine by Assistant District
Attorney H 7. Taggart in his opening ar
eument to the jury in Criminal Court No.
1 this morning Before the Assistant
District Attorney sat the men who are 70
weigh the evidence IN The case, and they
listened attentiyely to the speaker. The
picture drawn was one in which horror
occupied foreground and perspective 4
silence prevailed throughout the presen-
tation OF the case Of the prosecution
The Prisoner Grows Nervous
Trembling and fearful the prisoner sat
beside her husband, and listened 10 her
fearful arraignnent. She had entered the
court rcom smiling and confident. but as
the prosecutor proceeded to describe n
his own gruesome way the tragedy that
was enacted ct the Kenmore Hotel on the
morning Of May 10, the little woman be
came pale, her eyes welled with tears,
and she nervousIy cIutCned Ter handker-
chief and pulled at the fingers OF her
gloves. Her lips worked necessarily, and
her whole demeauor depicted abjeet mis-
-e4y
ComForted by Her Husband
Her husband, noticing the change that
had come over her. frequently leaned
over and whispered words of comfort.
Once the accused called to him in half
whisper;
Joe. Joe,'
He turned, to hnd terror II his wise's
eyes, but he succeeded in dispelling TINS
during a reassurinE conversation
Mrs. Meacham. the sister Of Mrs Bo-
nine. sat in the background and remain
ed silent, though her features showed
that she was also laboring under great
strain
The Court Room Packed
Every seat was occupied, and chairs
were massed in the aisles- Nearly one
half Of the spectators we're women, and
the vivid details we're eagerly absorbed.
Justice Anderson. well groomed and
nIaeid. made room at his side for Judge
Kimbau, Of the Police Court, who sat
through the days proceedings, by which
he was deeply impressed
Beside the jury box stood q large stand,
bearing an enormous plat. showing the
fourth floor of the Kenmore Hotel, and
the location Of the articles of furniture
in the room occupied by AyTes.
The jury vas escorted into the court
bv two deputies and assumed the places
assigned to them yesterday They were
refreshed by good nights sleep, and
ready for long and tedious duties ahead
of them
During the argument made BY 1ir- Tag
Rart, Charles Douglass, Mrs Bonine's
chief counsel, sat uprigR- and attentive,
and weighed every word The defence re
served the presentation OF its side Of the
case. and the examination Of witnesses
began
Presentation os the Case
Immediately after The opening Of court,
at 1o:45 o'clock, H. T TaggaTt, Assistant
District Attorney, began the opening ad-
dress for the prosecution He apoIogized
to the Jury for bad cold which prevent
ed him from articulating distinctly, and
standing on the foot board Of the jury
box. spoke into the faces Of the twelve
men
81 tell you, gentlemen, - he said, standing
erect with hands clasped behind his back,
you are here to determine whether or
not the defendant took the life Of James
Seymour Ayres; whether or not the mur-
der was in cold blood; whether OF not the
was done in self-defence.
Punishment by Hanging.
II IS feIonious assault alone that the
1aw Furnishes If the killing was done with
malice aforethought, then the punishment
must be by hanging.
Society must be protected, and the
blood of 4 murdered man demands that
the party who took the life must make
reDaration.''
Mr Taggart proceeded to define the
difference between murder and man
slaughter, citing cases and instances to
illustrate his meaning.
The defendant in this case is charged
with the felonious killing of James
Seymour Ayres," he said. 1.-THE Govern
psent expects to prove these facts.
story of the Tragedy.
"The deceased came to this city and
took up occupation as clerk IN the Cen
sus Office, He secured room 20 in the
Kenmore Hotel. On the morning Of May
Is last he vas found drenehed in his own
Laths, s2.z5. PIusterIng Laths, s2.75