The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-18
Barker Identified in Court by Eyewit
graphs Submitted as Evidence.
CASE OF ROLAND B. MOLINEUX
ALLEGED POISONER WHO is TRY
ING TO ESCAPE DEATH.
Argument Before the New York Court
of Appeals-Jury Secured to Re-
try Miss Jessie Morrison.

NEW YORK, June 17.-Thomas C. Bark
er was placed on trial in the Hudson
County Court, Jersey City, to-day before
Judge Blair, charged with assault with
intent to kill. On Feb. 80 last Barker shot
the Rev John Keller, of Arlington, y. j.,
vicar Of Trinity Chapel, in that place.
Barker told the authorities he shot the
minister because his wife had told him that
Keller had been guilty of criminal assault
upon her. When Keller was shot he was
on his way TO Fort Lee to assist in the
ordination Of a minister. Barker stepped
out from the shadow of a hedge and fired
az him with revolver. Barker says he
spoke to Keller before firing. Keller says
he did not see his assailant. One of the
bullets fired by Barker went through Kel-
ler's facial bone from the right side, de-
stroyed the sight of the right eye, and after
tearing through the nasal bone, buried
itself beneath the skin of the left side of
the face. second bullet shattered the
fingers of the right hand
According to Barkers story, Mrs. Barker
told him shortly before the shooting that
about eighteen months previously Mr.. Kel-
Ter called on her while she was alone in the
house and made an improper proposal.
When she repulsed him, according to the
story told by Barker. the minister attacked
her violently and she tainted. Barker fur
ther said his wife had been afraid to tell
him the story of the assault because she
knew that if she did he would XIII the
minister. For some days before the al
legged confession Mrs. Barker had been in
a sick and nervous condition. Mr.. Keller
denounced the whole story as utterly false.
He declared that his whole life was refu-
tatioD of the charge.
The impaneling Of the jury occupied less
than an hour, and then Prosecutor Erwin
opened the case for the State. The prose-
cution at the outset introduced as evidence
a photograph of the hedge behind which, it
is alleged, Barker hid while waiting for
Keller. Another photograph showing KEEL
Ter in bed after the shooting was also ad-
eyewitnesses of the shooting, gave their
testimony and identified Barker the man
who fired the shots that wounded Keller.
Luise G.. Van Wrinkle testified that she
the morning of Feb. 3 she heard three
successive shots fired. Going to a window
she saw a man lying on the street with
another man bending over him. She did
not know Barker at that time. She saw
Barker run away and then she saw that
the the ground was Mr.. Keller.
Mrs Jennie +. Buckley, who lived on the
same side of Beech street as Mr.. Keller.
testified that she heard three shots fired
on the morning of Feb. 3. and, running to
a window, saw Barker fire a fourth shot
at Mr.. Keller. Frederick G.. Buckley, the
husband of the preceding witness. gave
and told how he had pursued and caught
Barker. He said that when he reached
Barker he asked him:
Whom did you shoot?"
Keller, and 1 hope 1 killed him." re-
piled Barker
Did Barker mention his wifes name
while on the carp" the witness was asked
Il do not think he did" was the reply.