The Washington times., 1901-07-21
DOYLE HELD FOR GRAND JURY.
The Result of Coroner's Inquest Into
Howard Dents Death.

Charles Doyle, the negro stabeman
who killed Howard Dent in the stall lofts
of the United States Express Companys
stables last Thursday evening, was held
by a coroners jury yesterday for the ac-
tion of the grand jury for the murder of
Dent. The verdict of the jury was that
Dent came to his death as the result of
stabwounds in the neck inflicted by a
razor in the hand of Charles Doyle. The
dead negro's white wife, Fanny Dent, was
present at the inquest, which was con-
Quoted by Coroner hewitt at No. pre-
cinct station.
Several witnesses were called. The first
testimony was given by Thomas Gray
son, who lives at q F Street north
east. Grayson was Dents night partner
at the United States Express Company's
stables. He testified that he went to the
stable on the evening of the murder at $3.50
o'clock. Dent and Doyle, he said, had an
alteration growing out OF the witness
request to Doyle to go TO a nearby lunch
room and purchase something to eat
Dent. he said, entered the conversation
by telling Grayson Ghe witness) to take
hold of Doyles feet The witness testi-
fed that after a few words passed be-
tween Dent and Doyle, the latter entered
the harness room and returned with a
razor. The witaess testified that he saw
Doyle strike at Dents throat with the
weapon. Dent had followed Doyle toward
the harness room.
The former offered to fight Doyle, and
repeatedly told him that he Doyle was
a coward When DOYLE lunged at him
with the razor Dent staggered to a bench
along the left side Of the stable The
witness said he saw blood, but did not
realize that Dent was badly hurt He did
not sec Doyle escape from the stable.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook testified to
having performed an autopsy on the
body Of Dent. The direction of the wound
showed that the blow had struck in the
back and that the weapon had been
the backbone. nicking it. All the arteries
were severed. Death was due to
hemorrhage. caused by stab wound in
the neck. and occurred not more than
three minutes after the wound had been
inflicted.
Marion Jones. who lives at 5O3 Colfax
Street. an employe of the Street Cleaning
Department. testified that he witnessed the
killing Grayson asked Doyle, he said. to
get him something to eat. Doyle taunted
him with keeping book" and not having
any money. Dent entered the conversa-
tion and called the prisoner a coward, and
offered to fight him Doyle went into the
harness-room toward the rear of the
room and returned with razor Dent
followed him, and in front of the aisle
leading into the harness-room Doyle cut
his Dents throat.
The witness said that he and Graysou
helped the wounded man to the ground
at the head Of the chute. Jones ideuti-
fled the razor found by the police In the
stable as the one with which the blow
resulting in Dents death had been struck.
The dead negro was the husband of his
tGrayson's) sister. The two families lived
in adjoining houses
Precinct Detective O'Dta testified that
he found the razor produced at the in
quest In the stable, contradcting Jones,
who said that Doyle put the razor in his
pocket The police believe that the razor
with which Doyle killed Dent has not yet
been found.