The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-03-20

! the demurrer and the defendant noted an
exception. The rest of the day was con
sumcd in securing Il Jury. Twenty-Five
/ taliSmcn had been summoned III addi-
/ ton to the regular panIl OfthcSc, twenty
! were challenged, eighteen by the defense
! and two by the State. The members ON
/ the panel are Il. {. Ilanway. Michael W.
Quirl,, John T. Ilarkins. Isaiah iuyton,
Charles L. Dallam. Thomas {. Mcdonald,
George +. Chandlec, Joshua n. Rutledgc,
Charles O. Whitaker, {. {. Richardson
Thomas W. Hall and Thomas Poole.
| In his opening statement to the jury,
| States Attorney Grason said that the
State would prove wiilful, deliberate
crime and that verdict for murder in
| the first degree would he asked. He re-
counted what evidence he expected to
produce.
The taking of the testimony began on
Tuesday. 1t appeared from the evidence
that the prisoner had disguised himself
by shaving OFF his mustachc and clipping
his hairand on the morning ofthc tragedy
he arrived ut Phoenix station on early
train. While waiting for his wife to put
in her appearance, he purchased morn
ing paper which he peruscd to pass away
the time. Two witnesses testified that
they saw the woman killed and also a
number said that they had heard the
three pistol shots one Of which the pris-
oner fired into the face of his wife, the
other in her body and the third when he
tried to take his own life.
1t appeared from the evidence that her
dcathwas almost instantaneous and that
he too fell and was afterwards gathered
up by Officer Thomas W. kcycs, who
was 4 Waterman at the mill. The
weapon with which the tragedy was
committed was also exhibited to the jury.
On Wednesday morning. Judge Walters
stated that us the case was taking up
considerable time he would hereafter
hold longer sessions of Court. 1t WAS
shown by one OF Watts companions that
he WIS contemplating some crime as the
witness testified that the prisoner told
him i'll Baltimore, just previous to the
tragedy, while they were taking a drink
together, that he was going to purchase
Il billy and that the next time he saw
the prisoner he would not know him as
he was going to cut off his mustache.
The testimony Of Edward Slaglc, the
thirtecn-ycar- old son of Mrs. Watts was
very affecting. Although child, he
answered every question i'll a manly
manner, excepting once or twice when
his feelings were overcome evidently from
affection. He testified 10 the facts of the
killing and said that he was with his
mother when they saw his Stcp-fathcr.
They did not know him until he spoke.
The only words the witness heard were
kate YOU wont live with me aly more"
and lie struck her with billy. She sanl;
down and he caught her around the
waist and shot her.
The prisoners confession was intro
duccd in evidence although the defcu-
dant's lawyers bitterly opposed this
action. 1t was made to stcnographcr
in Towson Jail shortly after the arrest
and recount. d the facts of the causes
that lead up 10 the killing. At the night
session the physicians who performed
the autopsy were examined. They testi- |
fed that one ball had gone through the
deceased woman'S head and the other
her side going clear through her
body.
The state closed its testimony on
Thursday morning and Mr.. Bryant |
made the opening statement for the
prisoner He outlined that the defense
would be insanity, and stated that there
was a hereditary faint in the prisoners !
family and that one of his brothers were |
insane. The first witness called WAS
Miss Virgic Watts, daughter of the !
prisoner, who is about twenty years old. !
She testified as to the queer actions and /
habits of her father.
\ number OF witnesses testified as to
the queer actions nfthc prisoner, especial .
~ for several days preceding the homi- /
eide.
The case will not be finished before |
Saturday night, as there are vet number
of medical experts to testify both for the
defendant and State.