The Washington times., 1905-01-03
WATSON CASE IS
IN FULL SWING
Ex-Auditor James T. Petty
on the Stand.
EXPLAINS Ex-CLEaKs ACTS
Alleged Embezzier of District Funds
Wears Much More Worried
Look Today.

After repeated delays and postpone
ments the trial of James NJ A Watson,
indicted for the embezzlement of SIS, 900
.of District funds. got under way today
in Criminal Court No. 1. Justice Wright
presiding. 1t is not likely there viii be
any further interruption until a verdict
is reached by the jury which will pass
upon the guilt or innocence of the ac-
cused.
The defendant had a more worried
look about him today than at any
previous time when he was called to
face the charge against him. When
Watson entered the court his counsel
happened to be absent from the room
He cast a hurried glance about. as If
looking for some friendly greeting. He
was plainly disa ppointed. and made his
way 10 the seat placed for him in the
rear of those Of his counsel.
Mrs. Watson Absent.
Mrs. Watson, the wife Of the defend
ant. who. on former occasions usually
entered the front door OF the court
room as the defendant emerged from the
prison cell in The basement of the build
| ing. was also absent She was not pres
ent at the morning session OF the court
She was, however. in the building pc
fore the adjournment was taken for re-
cess
A. S. Worthington, of Worthington,
Iieald & F'raiiey. counsel for the defense
was also absent. and did not take part
| in rhe proceedings before the recess
On no previous occasion when Watson
was called to face the charge against
/ him Gid he exhibit such a deep interest
! in the proceedings From the moment
the first word was spoken in connection
| with his trial he was all attention He
sat with his body leaning forward and
| his ear turned to the court and the viii
! nesses IN an effort to catch every word
/ said
Before entering upon the trial Justice
| Wright spent several minutes conpiat-
ing the panel OF grand jurors, so it was
not until 1o:lS O'Clock that the jury
which was selected December % was
sworn and the trial begun
When the jury was sworn Justice
! Wright stated that counsel for the de-
PENDANT wished to consult with him and
Watson Was 1iloW ed to return to the
cell in the basement, where his counsel
awaited him Ii WAS stated that the
conference was as TO the advisa biIity Of
OF Mr.. Worthlngton. At i0:3a Watson
and his counsel returned TO the court
room and the trial resumed.
Witnesses Excluded.
Stuart Mcnamara. of counsel fer the
| iefenc.ant, requested that all witnesses
summoned to testify be excluded from
the court room. District Attorney Beach
raised no objection further than TO ask
that either Deputy Auditor Tweedaie,
or Mr.. Donovan, clerk in the Auditor
office be permitted to remain
MIR. Mcnamara said nc would not OBJ
ject TO Mr.. Donovan remaining. and this
was quite satisfactory to Mr. Beach
d. ". Baker, counsel for Watson
then asked the court to rule that the
government be required 10 elect on
which OF the seven counts in the Two in
dictmelts upon which Watson is being
tried the accused would be called upon
10 answer. Mr.. Beach Contended tha,
since the two indictments were consoli-
dated az the request of counsel for the
defendant, TIE government should not
be called upon TO elect which one the
accused should answer 10. for in fact
he is called upon 10 answer to each anf
every count in the two indictments
| Justice Wright oVe-ruled the motion M
Continued on Third Page