The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-24
Charles Coleman, Colored,
on Trial Today.
JURY SELECTED ON FRIDAY
Alleged to Have Killed Perry Officer,
Also Colored, in a Quarrel Last Novem-
ber-Two Other Negroes Await Trial
in Near Future.

Never since the organization of the
Supreme Court of the District has the
Criminal Division been so continuously
occupied in the trial of homicide cases as
It has been for the past month. In this
connection it may be also stated that
the court viii be busy for the next month
or more in the trial of murder cases.
Since the beginning of the present
month two prisoners have been put on
trial for murder and convicted In each
case, however, the jury qualified its YER
diet practically imposing sentence of life
Imprisonment During the last week in
February Yorke Nelson, colcred, was
placed on trial for manslaughter, but
was acquitted.
Coleman on Stand.
This morning the trial of Charles Cole
man, coloTed, for the murder of Perry
Officer also colored, which was begun in
Criminal Court No. l before Justice An
derson on Thursday last, will be resumed.
The jury to pass upon the guilt or inno-
cence of the accused man was selected on
Friday and Will he sworn this morning
and the taking of testimony begun.
The crime for which Coleman will be
put on trial was committed in South
Washington on November / last. He and
Officer quarreled over an alleged insult
offered by Coleman to a friend of Officer.
1t is said that during the quarrel Cole
man struck Officer on the head with a
piece of lead pipe and fractured his skull.
officer died soon after from the effects of
his wound.
1t was expected that the trial of Cole
man would have been concluded on Sat
urday, but the delay in organizing the
jury necessitated its continuance into the
current week. This will also necessitate
a postponement of the trial of Hezekiah
Coates, the colored boy who is under in
dictmert for the murder of Carrie Corbin.
also colored, eight years old, which was
TO have been begun this morning in Grim
inal Court No. /.
On Hunt for Ghosts.
Coates is only about fourteen years OF
age. 1t viii be remembered that he shot
and killed the Corbin girl, III Anacostia
on December II last, about dujk in the
afternoon. He left his house with a gun
to hunt ghosts. He had not been search
ing very long, when the little girl came
his way. He did not stop to have any
conversation with her, but raised his gun
and fired. The child was killed, and
Coates returned to his home.
When arraigned on March II before JUS
tice Anderson, Coates stated that heaeis
not guilty of murder. He also informed
the court that he did not have any money
with which to pay for his defence, and
Justice Anderson informed him that he
would assign counsel for his defence.
Later the court appointed Attorneys
StTasburger and Damman to defend
Coates. 1t is understood that his defence
will be that the shooting was accidental.
1t is probable that the trial of Charles
Coleman will not be finished until the
latter part of the week. If verdict is
not returned before Thursday ii is like
" the trial of Coates will be postponed
until Monday next.
Chapman Case in Sight.
Following the trial OF Coates, Elijah
Chapman, who is under indictment for
the murder of Ida Simms, also colored
will be called to answer for the crime
with which he is charged.
It is expected that Marcellus Cole, col
ored, who was convicted of the murder
Of Albert Hawkins. also colored, will be
called for sentence this week. He was
brought up from the District Jail on Fri
day last for this purpose, but Justice
Anderson being engaged in the Coleman
case, postponed imposing sentence.