The Washington times., 1902-03-20
Convicted Negro, How
ever, VIII Not Die on
the ScaffOld.
QUALIFIED VERDICT RETURNED
His Attempt to Prove an Alibi, Also That
the Victim Was a Person OF Suicidal
Tendencies and Took Her 0wn Life,
Proved Futile.

Lawrence Norman. colored. wa yester
day convicted in Criminal Court No. l of
The murder OF Annie Brown. also colOred
on September , last in Georgetown. The
jury qualified its verdict by adding the
words without capital punishment, "
which practically imposes sentence of
imprisonment for lie.
The triaI was begun on Monday last be
fore Justice Anderson and jury, Norman
being charged with causing the death OF
annie Brown by drowning her in the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal The Govern
ncnt was represented by Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Thomas c. Taylor and the
defendant by Attorney Samuel d. Truitt.
Norman's Double Defence.
When put on mis- defence Norman at
tempted 20 prove an aiibi. also that the
dead woman was person of suicidal ten
dencies. and took her own life in fit OF
anger or dependency.
According to the testimony offered by
the Government Norman and the woman
lived in house on Water Street. George
town, near the canal. On the night OF tho
date mentioned Norman went to the house
about 9 O'Clock and went TO sleep Shortly
afterward he was awakened by some one
going through" his pockets. II was Annie
Brown. Norman accused her of taking a
dollar from him and a quarrel ensued
during which he struck her in the face
with his hand This part OF the story
Norman admitted while testifying in his
own behalf.
Governments Side of Case.
1t was claimed by the Government that
the blow struck by Norman was so forci-
BILE as to fell the woman TO the floor and
make her unconscious. Finding that she
did not revive quickly it was also claimed
that Norman took the woman in his arms
and going to the canal which was only
a few feet in the rear OF the building.
threw her into the water. Some per-
sons who resided in the same house with
Norman and the woman testified that
few minutes after they heard the sounds
of the quarrel between them they also
heard a splash in the water.
few minutes after the splash was
heard there were also heard cries for
help. The voice. it was said. was that
of a woman. About five minutes later
Norman left the house in company with
two other persons, both OF whom knew of
his quarrel with Annie Brown.
When he had gone about three blocks,
it was testified, he asked one of these
persons to go back and see if the woman
was in the canal. He, however, denied
that he had asked anyone to do this for
him. He admitted he asked one of his
companions to go and ask Annie Brown to
come to him.
His Police Record introduced
Evidence was also offered by the Gov
ernment 10 show that Norman is well
known in police circles and has served
several terms in jail for assault and lar
ceny. In each instance referred to the
assaults he committed were made upon
women.
The taking of the testimony was con-
cluded yesterday afternoon at l o'clock
and then the arguments 10 the jury were
begun. Justice Anderson concluded his
charge to the jury at 4:30 O'Clock, and
within half an hour a verdict of guilty
without capital punishment" was re-
ported