The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-18
Prisoners Son Tells of
Meetings Between His
Parents.
OVERCOME BY EMOTION
Testimony of DR.. Frederick
Upon Alcoholism and
Responsibility.

The defense in the Shaffer murder
trial rested its case at 11:40 this morn
ing, and the Court took a recess until
Monday morning. when the prosecution
will take up practically two days in re-
buttal. The first really dramatic scene
of the trial in Criminal Court No. 1
occurred this morning when little WI
lie Shaffer. the twelve-year-old son OF
Augustus l. Shaffer. the defendant.
took the stand. Willie bears a strong
family resemblance TO those members of
his mothers family who have been in
attendance upon the trial from day to
day.
In answers to questions put to him by
Mr.. Davis. he told of the meetings OF
his mother and father after they were
separated. and of his having taken notes
from his mother to his father during
this period. Willie himself lived, he said,
with his father at his boarding place
with his Grandmother ShafIer, and at
ST. Joseph's and St. Johns orphan
asylums-
The meetings between HIS father and
mother occurred often. Willie said.
Sometimes they met at the Navy Yard
Bridge. sometimes in judiciary Square,
sometimes at the back of the State, War
and Navy Department. and sometimes
at the Washington Monument. Upon
one occasion they had gone to Cabin
John Bridge together.
Both Children Present.
He and his little sister were usually
present at these meetings. and they
would play together while their parents
talked. Shaffer would beg Mrs. Shaffer
10 come back TO him. Willie said. and
she would decline. They were always
friendly.
Under cross-examination Willie grew
nervous, although Assistant District At
torney Turner was very gentle with
him. He burst into tears. and IL was
some time before ne could talk. When
he did begin again his words were inter-
spersed with sobs.
His mothers sisters were overcome at
the scene, and for the first time during
the trial Shaffer showed pronounced
emotion. He did not give way. but his
chin sunk lower on his breast. and his
whole countenance bore witness TO his
preston. and he seemed unable to take
his eyes OF his son The other members
OF the Shaffer family showed some emo
tion.
Rushed to His Father
When Willie was excused he rushed
to.where his father sat. threw his arms
aro0nd his neck and kissed him. He then
climbed into his lap and sat there cry
ing. st-ffer's arms frightened around
his child. whom he held clasped TO his
breast. When the court adjourned
Willie went out with his father.
A noticeable point In Willie's testimony
was the manner in which he referred to
his two grandmothers. both Of whom
were sitting only a few feet from him
He spoke Of Mrs Shaffer. as Grand
-fc
Jvey."
Expert on Alcoholism.
DR.. Leon l. Frederick was called 70
give expert testimony on alcoholism.
Dr. Frederick. in answer TO questions by
Attorney Davis. stated that he had been
practicing medicine for twenty-four
years. two years I'm Vienna and Berlin
and the remainder Of the time In this
country. He has had. he said. a good
deal OF experience in treating victims
OF alcoholism. He had known Angus
tus I. shaffer for four or hve years and
had been his family physician, and as
such had frequently treated the defend
ant for alcoholism in various stages
Once defendant had delirium tremens. In
that condition. said witness. defendant
had no power 10 control himself
Mr.. Davis asked DIR. Frederick num-
oIpert opinion on the effects of alcohol.
the object OF these questions being to
show that Shaffer. when drinking. was
IN an irresponsible condition and that
the effects OF habitual drunkenness
duiled the mental capacity Of the
drinker
If ! may interrupt" said Dr. Fred
erIck. when being cross-questioned by
Assistant District Attorney Keigwin
upon the effect OF alcohol upon differ
cnt individuals 1T has been observed
that blond persons are disposed TO be
Joky under the influence OF LIQUOR
disposed 70 irritability and pugnacity.'
Grievances Enlarged.
An important point brought out by Mr.
Ke.gwin was TT 20 n man who had a
grievance that grievance would become
magnihed 70 him when under the in
fluence OF liquor. Dr. Frederick said he
thought a mans real or supposed griev-
ances were magnifed when he was
drunk
In answer 20 questions by the prose
cutting attorneys whether ne would say
that a man under the influence OF liquor
who had shown friendliness to acquaint-
ances up 10 an hour OF so before COM
mitting homicide and had then shown
anger toward the person he had killed,
was suffering from alcoholic mania, wit
ness replied IN the affirmative. The fact
that the man was able 10 distinguish
between friends and the person against
whom ne thought he had a grievance
did not mean that he was responsible.
Wyatt Brown. negro lampliRhter and
his assistant, Charley Jones "A thirteen
year-Old negro boy. gave Testimony
which showed that the lamp nearest
the corner whore the murder was com
mitted had been lighted before the hour
at which the killing IS supposed TO have
taken place.