The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-28
Verdict Returned Pursu-
ant to Instructions
From Bench.
BOY RELEASED FROM CUSTODY
Youthful Prisoner Thanks Justice Ander-
son for His Kindness, and Is Given
Some Good Adyicc-Glad to Be Re-
leased From Jail.

Hezekiah Coates, colored, twelve years
old. charged with the murder OF Carrie
Corbin. also colored, eight years of age,
was yesterday acquitted in Criminal Court
No. l. About o'clock Assistant District
Attorney Taylor, representing the Gov
eminent. stated to the court that he
would offer no further testimony.
At this stage OF the proceedings coun-
sci for the accused moved Justice Ander-
son to instruct the jury to return YER
dict of not guilty. This he did, and the
boy was ordered to be discharged from
custody.
Thanked the Court.
81 thank you for your Kindness" Heze-
kiah said. as broad smile spread over
his countenance. He was very glad to be
released from Jail, but 1t is doubtful If
even yet he realizes the seriousness of
his position since December IL last, when
he discharged a gun which ended the life
of Carrie t-orbin.
After the boy expressed his thanks to
the court Justice Anderson told him to
advice, which, if he bears in mind and
follows, he will probably not find him
self in any serious trouble during the re-
mainder of his life.
Alleged Confession Alone Damaging.
The trial OF Coates was begun On Mon
day morning, Attorneys Strasburger and
Damman appearing as his counsel. The
principal, and, in fact 1t may be said the
only damaging testimony against the boy,
was his confession that he fired the shot
which killed Carrie Corbin, which he made
20 the police and Detective Henry Lacy.
To keep this alleged confession from
being admitted as testimony, the counsel
for the defence directed all their energy.
The fight on this point arose yesterday
morning, when Detective Lacy was
called TO testify on behalf of the Gov
eminent. When he began to tell what
the accused admitted to him the defence
objected, and a long argument ensued,
during which the ruling in the Florence
Burns case in New York was cited in
support of the contention.
Justice Anderson sustained the conten-
ton of the defence, and this practically
closed the case. Some other testimony
was, however, offered by the Government,
and then Mr.. Taylor announced his side
OF the case closed. 1t was then that
motion was made to instruct the jury to
return a verdict of not guilty. which was
sustained by the court.
The offence for which Coates was placed
upon trial for his life was committed in
Anacostia on the night Of December IL
last. According to the story told at the
time Coates left his house with a double
barreled shotgun 20 go hunting for ghosts.
He had not gone far when he saw two
persons, children. on the opposite side of
the street.
He called to them to halt, and, with
Jdt awaiting an answer, raised the gun
and fired. at the report of the gun the
two children turned and fed, going to the
home OF their aunt, which they had just
left. When they arrived within the yard
enclosure Carrie Corbin fell to the ground
and died In a few minutes.
Coates, it is said, returned to his home
and left the gun there. No one saw the
shooting take pace except Johnnie Cor
bin, the ten-year-old brother of the girl
who was killed. II was, however, too
dark for him to recognize the person who
did the shooting. II was not until The
following day that it was learned who the
guilty party was.