Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-03
Jury's Decision in the Armes
Shooting Case.
THE DEFENDANT FREE
TRIED FOB ATTEMPTING LIFE
OF RETIRED ARMY OFFICER.
The Conclusion Reached in Three
Quarters Of an Hour-History
of Case. =

A verdict Of not guilty was rendered at
Las o'clock this afternoon, in Criminal
Court No. I, in the Armes shooting case
A moment later John Roland Johnson, who
had been tried for attempting to take the
life of Major George A. Armes, United
States army, retired, left the court room.
freed of legal accusation. The jury was in
consultation less than three-quarters Of an
hour The aequittal of Johnston was gem
orally expected by those who had closely
followed the testimony.
The Arguments Of Counsel.
AS stated in The Star. the opening adj
dress to the jury was made yesterday at
ternoon by Assistant United States Attor-
ney Taylor. He was followed by Attorney
Greed M. Fulton for the defense. The hour
then being late an adjournment was taken
until this morning when Attorney j.. w.
Cox closed for the defense. The final ad-
dress was made by Assistant United States
Attorney Taylor. Justice Anderson's
charge was next in order. The jury re-
tired shortly after / O'Clock to consider
verdict.
Johnston was tried under an indictment
alleging assault with intent to kill. The
shooting of the complaining witness occur
red at Fairfield, suburban hotel. owned
by Major Armes located at the intersection
OF Connecticut avenue extended and Grant
road. According to Major Armes' story, he
was seated in a chair on the porch of Fair
field, reading newspaper. the morning OF
August 81 last. when Johnston put in an
appearance and deliberately shot him. Only
slight wound in the right chest was in
flicted.
Plea Of the Defense.
The defendant commended that he acted
solely in self-defense. He had conducted
Fairfield from May to August last. he
testified, but his relations with Major
Armes being very unpleasant he moved
away the date last mentioned to a cottage
on the Grant road about a quarter Of
mile from the hotel. Major Armes had or
dered him never to set foot again on the
Fairfield premises.
Having received information that Major
Armes had left the hotel to come to this city.
and desiring to see one of the Fairfield
boarders who was about to move from
there, Johnson testified that the morning
of August he proceeded to Fairfield. As
he stepped on the porch he was surprised
to see Major Armes sitting there. Johnston
at once went to the boarder referred to, who
was seated on a chair on another section OF
the porch. The boarder excused herself for
a moment and Johnston stepped to the cor
ner Of the porch and picked up book. He
noticed that Major Armes had disappeared
A moment later the major came through
the doorway and advanced toward Johnston,
addressing the latter in an insulting man
ner Johnston protested against the insult.
he said, whereupon, he testified. Major
Armes made quick movement forward, at
the same time putting his right hand to his
hip pocket In threatening manner. john
ston, thinking he was in bodily danger,
drew a pistol and fired. --.-
The hearing was in progress one week
Soon after leaving the witness stand Major
Armes developed an attack OF appendicitis
and was unable to again appear In court.