Evening journal., 1904-12-01
THORN s CASE
BEFORE JURY
Continued From First Page.)
Defense Closes.


The defense closed in the case Of
Charles Thorn, alias Boozer, charged
with the murder of George ID. Farra,
yesterday afternoon and arguments to
the jury were started. The defense
called several witnesses for the pur-
pose of proving an alibi for the pris-
oner.
Robert S. Hawkins, colored, Of Enola,
Harrisburg, was called, and was asked
if he knew whether Robert Epps was
discharged from his situation at Har-
risburg. Hawkins testified that Epps
was discharged, and BoOzer was given
Epps' place. Hawkins said he first
met BoOzer at Pinners Point, Va, in
September, 1897. He said he saw BoOz-
er sometimes once a day, sometimes
twice day, from September 1897, to
the spring Of 1898. Boozer in Decem-
Der, 1897 was working for a contractor
named Perkins near Port Norfolk, Va.
Boozer lived under the name of John
Williams and John Boozer while in
Portsmouth. Boozer at that time had
a scar on his forehead, and Hawkins
said that Boozer still had that scar.
Hawkins said he was mo more to Booz-
er than a friend" and a fellow Mason.
In cross examination Hawkins said
he joined the MasOns in October, 1904,
while BOozer Joined in the spring.
Have you and your brother Masons
been raising money for Boozer's de-
fense?" asked Mr.. Richards.
Mr.. Balls objection was overruled by
the court and Hawkins answered.
YES"
William Perkins, Of Portsmouth, Va.
was called. He is engaged in railroad
construction work and had lived in
Portsmouth since November, 1897. Per-
kins said he first met the prisoner
BoOzer. in 1895, on a trolley line at
Ellicott City, Nd. Boozer was also
known there as John williams" Per-
kins said that Robert Epps did not
have charge Of the colored men on that
job. as Perkins and three other fore
men had sole charge of the colored men.
Perkins said that the prisoner. Boozer,
worked steadily for him at Port Nor
folk, Va, from November 20, 1897. until
the spring Of 1898, and was a first-class
workman. Perkins said Boozer had a
scar on his forehead in 1895, and still
has it,
state Detective James p. Ratledge
was recalled by the State and testified
that Boozer had sworn in Harrisburg
that he had never been known by any
other name than Boozer, and that in
December, 1897, he was IN the employ
of a man named Sharp as a stevedOre,
at Pinner's Point, Va.
Willard Farra corroborated this tes-
timony.
Argument to the Jury.
Deputy Attorney General Richards
summed up for the State before the
jury for one hour and fifteen minutes
last evening, dwelling on the evidence
addueed as indicating without possibil-
ity Of doubt that Thorn and Boozer are
the same, and the murderer of Farra.
He asked for a conviction for murder
in the first degree, which he contended
was indicated by the cumulative evil
dence forming an unbroken chain of
circumstances.
Mr.. Ball, for the accused man. spoke
for about one and one-half hours be-
fore the jury, dwelling on the alibi,
which he contended was established for
Boozer. Mr.. Ball also argued that it
is just as probable, from the evidence
adduced, that the negro Charles Thorn
was, done away with at the same time
that Farra was murdered as it is that
Thorn himself committed the murder.