Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-17
ALLEGED ROBBERY OF MRS. STARRING
The Owner ofoLost Gems Placed
I.EUg
on Witness Stand.
ATTORNEY GOULD'S OPENING

In Criminal Court No. Of Lewis Francis
Mortimer Monroe, under indictment for the
larceny Of the jewelry. That the case has
attracted widespread attention was evi-
denced by the crowding Of the court room
with spectators. The defendant occupied
a seat directly in rear Of his counsel, At
torneys Andrew Lipscomb, A. 8. Colyar
and r. p. Evans. He was styIishly attired.
Occupying chair at the side Of the pris-
oner, and apparently deeply interested in
the proceedings. was his wife, who wore
suit of grayish blue, with white waist and
hat OF black straw, with black feathers
Mrs. Starring did not enter the court room
until called as a witness. The case Of the
government was conducted by United
States Attorney Gould, Justice Anderson
presiding.
Almost an hour was consumed In secur-
Ing jury. each of the talesmen being in
terrogated as to his knowledge of the case
whether or not he had formed or expressed
an opinion. and his views on circumstantial
evidence. The following were finally sworn
to render verdict: Messrs. John c. Rog-
ers. Herbert w. Kline, John 1. Garrison.
Thomas Leonard. Robert Low. Frederick
J. Spindler. Thomas Williamson. c. w.
Johnson. Charles S. Denham, B. Frank
Meyers, Charles J. Allen and H. Claude
Grimes.
Opening Address to Jury.
States Attorney Gould detailed the accu-
sation against the defendant and described
the articles of jewery alleged to have been
stolen from Mrs. Starring. According to
Mr.. Gould the 7th Of last month, Mrs.
Starring, a lady Of means. resided at 1855
Massachusetts avenue. Comprising her
household were Mrs. Starring, a Mrs. Hine-
burger. man servant and a maid servant.
Mrs. Starring made the acquaintance Of
n ny an
in New York newspaper, the advertiser
saying he was fond of outdoor exercise
and especially bicycle riding. She was de-
sirous. the attorney said. of securing some
relations of Mrs Starring and the defen-
dant grew to be very friendly. On one
occasion. when she was in New York city,
he acted as her. escort.
In a studio on the first floor of Mrs. Star
rings residence. stated Mr.. Gould, were IA
cabinet case and curio cabinet. They
were provided with secret compartments.
The defendant was aware Of the existence
house the afternoon Of the 7th of May,
and he and Mrs Starring started for a
bicycle ride. Saying he had forgotten his
gloves, the defendant returned to the
house. The maid servant heard him from
the basement enter the studio. At the ex-
piration Of ten minutes the defendant ap-
peared and rode off with Mrs. Starring.
On reaching the Zoo she remarked that she
was tired and stopped to rest The de-
PENDANT excused himself and was gone for
half an hour. When she reached home
she discovered that the robbery had been
committed.
I'VE will produce evidence regarding the
conduct Of the defendant that, we think,
will Justify you gentlemen Of the jury in
returning verdict Of guilty as indicted"
concluded the United States attorney.
I'VE will reserve our opening" announced
Attorney Evans Of counsel for the defend
ant. o..
Mrs. Starring on Witness Stand.
Call Mrs. Starring" then directed Mr.
Gould.
Mrs. Starring was picturesquely dressed,
her outer garment being an ulster of wine
colored silk. Her hat was Of white straw,
trimmed with null and violets. She wore
a white veil. The witness. after rernarking
that she resides at 1855 Massachusetts
avenue, described the arrangement Of the
house and the contents of the studio and
other rooms on the first floor. In answer
to query, she said she was divorced from
her husband, adding that she had pro-
cured legal separation. By request, the
witness gave the value Of the several arti-
cles Of jewelry which she says were stolen
from her. q.
Gives Some Details.
After a recess Mrs. Starring proceeded
with her testimony. She told Of answering
the personal In a New York newspaper,
Of her first meeting with the defendant,
of the references he presented and of his
claim that he was an inventor Of ability.
The witness also recounted the fact that
Monroe endeavored to induce her to invest
$4,000 in a street sweeping machine he
said he had invented. He informed the
witness that he had been married but that
his wife was deceased.
The 7th of May. Mrs. Starring went on
say, the defendant was alone in the studio
while she was upstairs attiring herself for
bicycle ride.
The witness next recited to the jury the
preparations for the ride. the fact that the
defendant went back to the house to search
for his gloves, Of the ride, of Monroe leav-
ing her. of his return fatigued and excited.
Of the return to her home and Of the dis
covery that she had been robbed.
did this defendant make matrimonial
propositions to you, Mrs. Starring?" in
Quired Mr.. Gould.
Il state most positively that he did," was
the reply.
IT declined
Counsel Have a Tilt.
The cross-examination of Mrs Starring
was next in order.
What is your age. madam" was one OF
the first queries Of Attorney Lipscomb.
This was met with, Il refuse to tell you.''
from Mrs. Starring and II object" from
United States Attorney Gould, simultaAe-
ously.
''The object of the question" explained
Attorney Lipscomb to the court, lis to test
the memory Of the Witness"
This comment brought Mr.. Gould to his
feet II don't pose as being chivalrous.''
he remarked, c'buteI am gentleman.
commend thatl= policy to counsel on the
other SIDE"
Attorney Lipscomb retorted hotly. He
declared that ,hes IS, as thoroughly a gen.
tleman as Is the United States attorney,
but he did not propose to have the rights
of his clients frittsred away through false
etiquette.
Mr.. Gould took occasion to announce that
this case is tt bet'tried here legally. and
not according 10 any feeling the defendant
or his counsef'may have against the wit
ness" tn'.Ss p -
The court disposed Of the matter by say
ing the question should not have been &C
companied by comments. Mrs. Starring
was not requiEed tn disclose her age, al
though she vplullffered the information
that she lis q grandmother and is proud
Of it." - bs :.
Recommendation Concerning Con-
txacts.
The District Commissioners have received
from their committee on bids recommends
mt P,-