The Washington times., 1904-06-19
Rests Case On TeSti-
mony of an Ex-
pert.
HISTORY OF THE CRIME
Prosecution Expected to
Spend Two Days In
Rebuttal.

49, - 1AAAAAEA ~ LAE llnA1EA VI lib
divorced wife, katherine Ivey Shaffer.
on August %, last, came 70 an end yes
terday morning with the resting of their
case by the attorneys for the defense.
Until yesterday there had been nothing
particularly dramatic about the trial,
but the last witness called broke the
monotony and produced the first sensa
ton. This witness was little Willie
Shaffer. the twelve-year-old son Of the
defendant. His actions while on the
stand and in the court room after he
had been excused produced a profound
impression upon all present.
Early IL the week IL became apparent
hat there was not the least shadow Of
doubt that Shafer had committed the
crime for which he stands indicted. for
witness after witness called to the stand
by the prosecution piled up overwhelm-
ing evidence against the accused man.
One by enc. from persons-who nap
pened to be passing the scene OF the
crime at the time IL occurred. to police
man who took Shaner to the station
house, they told Of the defendants ad-
mission that he had killed his former
wife, and il developed early in the trial
that the defense his attorneys would set
up would be on that CT insanity, due to
alcoholism.
Beginning of Trial.
The trial began on Monday in Crimi-
nal Court No. l. Justice Wright. Of the
Scpreme Court Of the District Of Co
iumbia, presiding After two hours the
panel of jurymen was exhausted, only
two or three men having qualified for
jury duty. Many We're challenged for
cause on account of their preconceived
opinion of the case, and others on &C
count OF their prejudice against capi-
tai punishment. A number were eX-
cused for business reasons, while near
" all the challenges Of the defense
were exhausted upon those men. other
wise qSalihed. who stated that they
did not believe drunkenness an excuse
FOR crime. The court took a recess I'M
al Tuesday. ordering that eighty addi-
tional taiesmen be summoned in order
that a jury might be selected. Many
oe these were challenged or excused,
and more than half the number were
exhausted before twelve men were OBJ
tanned.
The following twelve were impan-
ncled: Arthur B. Walker. II. G. Co
burn. Otto Il Fisher. John Bardron,
Louis Nj. Paxton, H T Davis. Charles
T. Jones. William r. Turner, George A
Blackman, Norman A. Taylor. James
W. Gibson. and George f. Terry.
The attorneys for the Government are
Assistant District Attorneys Charles
II. Turner and Charles A. Keigwin.
Henry r. Davis and Lambert & Baker
represent the defendant.
Story OF the Crime.
The story OF :he crime. as told the
Jury by Mr.. Tuner IN his opening
statement and as developed by the wit
nesses for both sides upon examination
is this. Augustus l. Shafer and MS
wife. Katherine Ivey shaffer. after hav7
ing lived together for ten years, during
which time two children were born &c
them. were divorced in April, 1901. BY
the decree Of the divorce the custody Of
their nine-year-old son was given 70
the father, While the mother took the
~aughte two years younger After
they were divorced Mrs. Shaher, who
took her maiden name and was known
as Mrs. katherine Ivey. went 70 live
with her mother. At different times. as
brought out by the testimony, she lived
in other parts OF the city. but at the
time OF her death she was living with
her mother and sisters on Fourth Street
northwest, near the scene OF her murder.
Shaner became respondent after his
wife left him. and brooded over his
LlOuUle. Inc EN4utlNE AtlAn " aApR
that he was kind to her under normal
conditions. but that when he was drunk
or IN one Of the fits Of violent temper
10 which he was subject. he was brutal
The sisters OF Mrs. Shaffer testified
that they had heard him use the vilest
sort Of TO her. and one Of thu
sisters told Of having seen him strike
her.
Efforts at Reconciliation.
After the divorce was granted Shaffel
did all he could 10 get mis- former wifi
to come back 10 him. but all his ef
forts were futile. For a matter OF Z
year or Elore he and his divorced wifi
were on fairly friendly terms. Thel
used TO meet at different places In tn
city with the children, and spend
few hours together. ne children wOul,
play together. while the father and tn
mother talked. These conversation
Willie Shaner said yesterday. wer,
usually on the subject OF his mother
returning TO his father. His fathe4
would beg her 10 return 70 him. and sh'
would decline TO do 50.
Finally, IL was shown, Shaner grew
Violent. and Mrs. Shaher avoided him
He drank heavily. and threatened hi
wife, telling her that If she did not tall
IL MIN AG AOAAA Ia AA1A IA a 'L-
she wouldn't like" For a week befor'
the crime was committed he huns
around the neighboThOOd OF the I've,
home and tried upon several OCCASION
10 speak 20 his former wife She grcg
afraid OF him and would not go out alon'
II she had reason 20 believe Shaner wa
lettering in the vicinity. At last. oI
the night OF August p. he met her at tn
corner Of Massachusetts Avenue ans
Fourth Street northwest. as she wa
coming home. The unfortunate woma-
was az that time working IN the Gov
eminent service. and Shaffer had jus
resigned = position at the Government
Printing ONCE.
Time Of the Murder.
What conversation. IL any. took plac,
between them at first is not known. Per
sons who were passing at the time ties
tilted that they saw Shaner throw hi