The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-21
Vicar Keller on the Witness Stand
Again to Deny the Testimony
of His Assailant.
JESSIE MORRISON EXAMINED
HER STORY OF THE KILLING OF
MRS. CASTLE AT ELDORADo.
Tears in Her Eyes as She Told of Fa-
tally Cutting Her Former
Friend with a Razor.

NEW YORK, June 20-The case OF Thom-
as G.. Barker. charged with shooting Rev.
John Keller, at Arlington, n. j., last Feb
ruary, will go to the jury in Jersey City
tomorrow about o'clock. n verdict may
reasonably be expected before night. Be-
fore court adjourned this evening the evil
dence was all in, and nothing now remains
but the argument OF counsel and the
judges charge.
To-day Mr.. Keller was once more upon
the stand. He seemed to have been aroused
from the lethargic state which marked his
conduct and action when he testified on di-
rect examination. Then he spoke in low,
tired voice. To-day his denias of the allie
cations of Mr.. and Mrs. Barker were spok-
en- in loud, firm tone, and when asked If
the alleged outrage was the reason Mrs
Barker left the church, he shouted out the
mo- so that it rang through the court
room and through the corridors. His de-
malls generally were positive. 1t was a
hard day for Mrs. Barker, for neighbor
after neighbor went on the stand and swore
that her reputation for truth and veracity
was bad. Some even said it was very bad.
The battle of the insanity experts was a
feature of the day.
Previous to the resumption of the trial
to-day there was a whispered conference
between Judge Blair and the lawyers in
the case, the subject of which was under
stood TO be the publication in several
papers of this city and New Jersey of what
purported to be sworn statement by Mrs.
Barker of the circumstances of the alleged
assault on her by Mr.. Keller April 10, 1899,
and which constituted, as alleged, the justi-
affpmDt
February of this year.
County Prosecutor Erwin opened the pro-
ceedings by addressing the court and stat
ing that the published story of Mrs. Barker
had been brought TO his attention and he
hoped the court would take such action as
ii deemed wise in the matter. The county
prosecutor said TO make such a statement
at such time was violation of the line of
conduct laid down by the courts in such
cases as the one pending
VAN WINKLE'S STATEMENT.
Mr. Van Wrinkle, counsel for Barker, re-
piled that so far as any contempt was con-
cerned the press might be disciplined as
the court pleased. Mrs. Barker he said,
had many friends. She was not on trial and
her friends had the right to publish any
thing they saw fit. Personally, he and his
partner. Mr.. Wall. and Harker had nothing
TO do with the publication. The court had
power to do with the matter in its charge
to the jury as 1t saw fit.
Judge Blair said he would talk to the jury
when the proper time came. He continued: {:
There can be no doubt of the motive of
the publication at this time. The court will
make a rigid investigation of this repre-
hensible act at the proper time and 1t Will
be thorough"
After Miss Louise Germond Robert War
ner and Frank III. Bennett. superintendent
of the cable company, had testified, Lawyer
Wrinkle said the defense closed its case. No
attempt was made TO present Mrs. Barker s
story of the alleged assault in the form of
a hypothetical question to an insanity ex-
pert as had been reported would be done.
The Rev Mr.. Keller called to the
stand in rebuttal. He said that on the
morning of the shooting as he passed along
the east side of Beach street Arlington,
he did not see Barker or say 10 him Good
! morning" This was objected to by the de-
fense, but the court overruled the objec-
ton. Mr.. Keller then denied that he had
seen Barker before he was shot or that
Barker had said You - villain. you out
ragged my Wife
..Did you ever outrage Mrs. Barker or
attempt TO do so?' asked Prosecutor Err
win.
The defense objected to this question.
and Judge Blair sustained the objection.
Did you ever borrow sSS from Mrs.
Barker?' the witness was then asked.
Il did not" he replied.
Mr.. Keller said he had paid money to
Mrs. Barker but it was because of threat
cause he owed anything. The minister
then denied that Mrs. Barker left the
church because or assault her. He
said he knew the reason, but on objec-
ton from the defense he was not allowed
TO tell what it was: Mr.. Keller then left
no questions to ask on crosS-exarnination.
MRS. BARKER'S REPUTATION.
Mrs. Sands. with whom Keller boards,
testified that among many Mrs. Barker's
reputation for truth and veracity was bad
She also said. in reply to a question by
Barker's attorney. that Keller did not pay
his board. Kellers reputation for truth
and honor, witness said was good. Three
other women and man testified that Mrs.
Barker's reputation for veracity was bad.
Mr.. William r. Fisher an expert in men,
tai diseases. testified that on Feb. IS he
saw Barker In the county jail. Barker.
on the advice OF counsel, refused to sub
nit 10 an examination as TO his sanity.
The witness said that. reviewing all the
circumstances, 1t was his opinion that
Barker was sane at the time of the shoot
Barker closely since the trial began and
believed him to be sane.
Dr. John u. McGill, superintendent OF
the police board OF Jersey City, who ac-
companied DR.. Fisher when he went to the
jail to see. Barker. .corroborated the evil
ne believed Barker To be sane.
DR.. j. Leonard Corning. Of New York.
an expert in mental diseases. vas the next ne
Barker during the trial. II was almost
| invariably the case; the witness said; that
ity before committing criminal act. DR..
Corning said Barker showed no evidence
OF insanity cross-examination. He
would not agree with counsel for the de-
tense on the proposition that Barker might
have been insane before the shooting and
have recovered when he saw the blood on
Keller's face. At this point the rebuttal
for the State rested
DIR. Evans, OF Morris Plains Insane Asy-
lum. was called by the defense. He said
that insane delusions may be temporary
or permanent and there Is no knowing
when delusion may cease. Continuing.
Dr. Evans said he found in his examtna-