Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-06-22
Mr.. ERWIN OUTWITTED
Jury Hears of Alleged Cause of
Shooting.
MRS. BARKER ON THE STAND.

tue resumes 10 '" bOht hAth ~
Keller, but lis Not Allowed to Go
Into Observation-Disclosures Friends Ex-
pect vindicntion.
New York. June 20.-Although Judge
Blair refused over and over again to
receive in evidence the story told BIZ
Mrs. Lille a. Barker to her husband,
Thomas q. Barker, the main allega-
lions were dinned into the ears of the
Jury all through the session of the
court yesterday. True, it has been
found impossible 70 spread the details
upon the court record. but they are,
after ALL unessential, and the jurors
now understand perfectly the reason
given by Barker for shooting the Rev.
John Keller in Arlington, n. J.. Oh Feb.
3 last.
Marshall Van Rinkle and Albert c.
Wall, counsel for Barker. have lost no
opportunity To accentuate their charge
that the rector of Trinity mission vio-
lated the sanetity of parishioner's
home and took advantage of the weak
ness of young wife, who was not only
n member of his congregation. but also
an active worker in his Sunday school
and in the church societies. The con-
slant objections of Prosecutor John ).
Erwin have had the nominal effect of
barring all reference to the event given
as the direct cause of the shooting and
alleged to have occurred on April 1S,
1899.
The theory of the defense is that the
matter first CAM to Barker's knowl-
edge on Jan. 20. t9o1 and that his con-
slant broodipg rendered him insane TO
the extent that he was unable to dis
tinguish between right and wrong and
to weigh the consequences of his ac-
tons.
Scores Of questions were put to wit
nesses covering the alleged ofense
committed by Mr.. Keller. and at times
the answers had been given hurriedly
before the judge could excuse them.
Every objection and legal proposition
that has been raised has involved
long argument in which Mr. Keller's
alleged wrong to Barker has been
dwelt upon so that the motive could
mot drop from the Jurors sight.
Mrs. BARKER NERVOUS.
Mrs. Barker. who was the principal
witness yesterday. appeared nervous
when she was called, and her voice
was so weak that persons sitting
few yards away could scarcely catch
SYLLABLE. She seemed on the verge OF
collapse. and her hands trembled when
she took the oath. She became more
la. nd hnr
more distinct. While she spoke Mr..
Keller sat with his head dropping on
his breast and slightly-inclined toward
the right. the side struck by Bankers
bullet. He made no motion OF assent
or dissent and said no words to Mr..
Erwin. who was seated by him, but
his extreme pallor and the twitching
of his face showed the intense strain
he was under. Judging by appear
ances, he has grown feebler since the
trial began, and the effort to get TO
and from his seat in the courtroom
seems almost more than he can stand.
He has thus far made no reply him
self to the charges affecting his moral
character but his friends are vehement
in his defense. Joseph Parker, Jr., OF
Orange. y. j. lawyer, who has re-
manned constantly by his side from
the outset. said:
s'The case win not end here. We
want vindlcation for Mr.. Keller, aud
we must have it,
..Do you contemplate civil suitf'
was asked
II cannot say that we do not, but |
do say that Mr.. Keller will be cleared
of the charge against him. This can
not be done here"
"Would not Mr.. Keller have been
satisfied to have had the whole matter
thoroughly thrashed out here, so that
he could obtain vindication at oncey"
at could not be as he wished IT,"
was the reply. Judge Blair's rulings
have been based upon the law, and our
desires could not change the course OF
procedure"
.'Will you not disclose the plans you
have in view for clearing Mr.. Keller of
the charges made against him."
Not at this time, bat l repeat that
he is innocent and that he will be vim
Sicated at the propel hue"
J. Mrs. HiIIsinger iseund Guilty.
Oneonta, ~ ", June 20-Mrs. Claris-
sa Hillsinger of Oneonta has been
found guilty of murder in the second
degree and sentenced by Judge Lyon of
Binghamton TO Imprisonment for life
at hard labor in Auburn prison. The
trial has been held for the last ten
DAYS Her crime WAS the murder of