Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-18

interviewing Mrs Amanda Mackall, sister
of the accused who declares that she assist
ed her brother in carrying the dying woman
to her room in the third story, where death
resulted about fifteen minutes after reach
ing the room. Mrs Mackall positively de-
clned to the officers unless advised
by her counsel, and the detectives left the
premises. 1t was announced that they
would return some time during the day and
If necessary, compel an interview.
Makes No Additional Statement.
At o'clock the detectives made another
call at the residence, and Mrs. Mackall con-
scented to see them in the presence of Colonel
Russell. She said nothing in the interview
except to reiterate her former statement
respecting the return of Miss Smallwood to
the house Thursday night. The detectives
thereupon withdrew.
Attorneys Rogers and Wells, who are in
Marlboro today engaged on another case,
were called up by phone from the resi-
dence of Colonel Hancock and informed of
a demand made by the detectives for per-
mission to search the house and premises
The attorneys were asked what course
should be taken, and Immediately advised
that the request be denied. If the detec-
tiveS insisted. the attorneys further ad-
vised steps should be at once taken to have
the detectives arrested for trespass. unless
they should be at the time provided with
process, according to law.
AS Means Of Securing Release.
A conference in which Messrs. Robert w
Wells and James C, Rogers of Hyattsville
and Lieut.. Col. B. Reeves Russell, United
States Marine Corps, brother-in-law of the
accused, are to participate, was arranged
for to be held late this afternoon in Hy-
attsvile when steps to secure the release
by habeas corpus or otherwise of the pris-
oner now in the Marlboro jail will be
taken. Attorney Wells is authority for the
e. ont Int ye. In {,.l;o
for murder in the first degree, as in any
event the malice necessary TO constitute
such an offense cannot possibly be proven.
The crime of manslaughter can be lodged
against the prisoner but this according to
Mr. Wells, is a bailable offense, and 1t is
more than likely that an application will be
made to the court for the release of Han
cock through the instrumentality of a
habeas corpus.
Mr.. James c. Rogers, associate counsel
declined to discuss the case in any Of its
phases last night. except to say that, while
he conceded it to be the jury's right to ex-
Guide any one, even counsel for the accused
from the jury room, such course was
very unusual. and further that the accused
would only ask a suspension of Judgment
until the proof was had before a court Of
justice. Mr.. Rogers had long conference
with Hancock in his cell at Marlboro last
night. The prisoner seemed much relieved
in mind since his removal to Marlboro.
Col. Hancock's Statement.
Col John Hancock, father of the accused,
admitted The Star reporter to his bed
chamber late last evening, and in answer to
a question concerning the position he had
been made to assume relative to his feel
ings toward his son in this matter, stated:
+ I'm the excitement and worry Of the mo-
ment may have made statements to news
paper men and others likely to be miscon-
strued. Certainly / will furnish all the
means necessary to that absolute q
fair justice is done him 1t Is of course
absurd that any one should imagine that a
father would desert his son in an hour like
this. If the boy is guilty he should, as l.
have stated before, be punished, but if any
impression has been formed from what +
have been quoted as saying about the mat
ter to lead the public to believe that have
deserted my son desire now to retract all