The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-17
THE BARKER TRIAL BEGUN
Unusual Defence Of Rev. John KeI-
leF's AsSailant.

The Case at Jersey City Likely to
| Attract General Attention Because
/ of the Plea Of JastfGc5tion-The
! Prosecutors Address Commenced.
NEW YORK. June 17.-wfth the OPEN
ing today in the Hudson county court
house, Jersey City. of the sriaI of Thomas
/ c. Barker, of Arlington for shooting Rev
John Keller, began the greatest test OF
the power Of the unwritten law" which
the country has had in many years. Up
on the proposition that a husband may
kill the man who has sullied the honor Of
his home Barker depends for acquittaI.
He viii try to convince the Jury that Rev.
Mr. Keller had so conducted himself at
his home that he WIS justified IN sli5ating
him on sight. In the Southern and West
| ern States this might be a valid plea, but
it is the first time that the issue has been
squareIy presented TO a Jersey court and
jury and the kcenest interest is taken in
the outcome
Long before the hour set for the open
ing Of the trial this morning a great
crowd besieged the doors Of the Hudson
county court house in Jersey City
By u:+0 o'clock the jury had been Sc
Iected and the prosecutor, Mr.. Erwin, be-
gan his opening address.
The Rev. Mr.. Keller is rector of Holy
Trinity Mission. Arlington. N J.. and for
more than twelve years was chaplain to
Bishop Thomas Starkey, of the Protest.
ant Episcopal Diocese Of Newark The
assault occurred at Beach Street and
Midland Avenue. Arlington. Barker shot
Keller, one bullet penetrating his right
eye. destroying it and passing through his
nose and embedding itself beneath his left
eye. Barker then fired three more shots
at him, one of which wounded his right
hand which he had raised to protect his
head. Barker then calmly walked to the
Kearney police station and gave himself
into custody.
Barker declared Immediately after the
shooting, it was reported. that his only
regret was that his aim had not been
more certain and that he had failed to
end the life OF his victim He believed
when he shot the clergyman that ne was
avenging a terrible wrong, and his coun-
sci, Marshall Van wfnkIe, even at this
late day, after careful investigation and
serious and dispassionate study Of his cu-
ents case, declares that he viii be able
to prove justification for the crime
Mrs. Barker. who had been II for over
a year and had been subject during that
period to fits of hysteria. it is said, de-
clared to her husband the night before tho
shooting that the Rev Mr. Keller was re-
sponsible for her condition The testi-
nony of Barkers neighbors is that ne IS
hot tempered The cause Of his wifes
falling health had been a mystery to him,
and when he secured his yzIfe-s confession
ne made deliberate preparations to kill
the clergyman Keller declares that he
was shot from behind and without warn
ing. Barker says that before shooting he
tod Keller why he demanded his life
The friends of the Rev. Mr. Keller put
no faith in the allegations OF Mr.. Barker
the members Of his congregation have
stood by him since the shooting and the
delegates to the annual convention Of the
diocese of Newark, which met last month,
among whom are such representative men
as Vice Chancellor Emery, Cortlands
Porter, Col. E. \. stearnes, Edward O.
Keasby, and Henry Hayes. testified to
their confidence in his innocence by re-
aIecting him for the fourth time secretary
Of the diocese.
Mr.. Keller is 4 mild-manuered man, Of
medium height, and wears a Iight-brown
beard. Until Mr. Barker made his ac-
cusation. no word of scandal was ever
breathed against him He had lived his
life openly in Arlington for twelve years
He was freely admitted to many other
homes in Arlington and the members Of
his parish have had abundant opportunity
to stud.- him Mr. Keller when he lay
at the point Of death a few hours after
the shooting, denied Mrs Barker-s accu-
satfon.
Judge John u Blair. of the Court of
General Sessions. who is trying the case.
says that it should end in two or three
days There are many questions which
have been asked regarding the case
There is no mystery about the offence
charged. Barker has been at large IN
der s509o bail. indicted for assault with
;rtsrt IN kill