Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-29
ON TRIAL FOR HAz|NG
First Of Series Of Hearings by
Court-Martial
BEGUN AT ANNAPOLIS
MIDsHIPMAN COFFIN, THE AC-
CUsED, FIRST BEFORE COURT.
Testimony Of Kimbrough, the Victim
Witnesses Illustrated the "stand-
ing on the Head" Process.
BEGUN AT ANNAPOLIS

The evidence submitted yesterday at the
first days session Of the court-martfa]
trial OF Midshtpman Trenmore Conn. tr.
a. Annapolis. showed plainly that Lieu.
tenant Commander Mcvay Is responsible
for the charge against CONN. inasmuch as
he got one witness who solved the whole
situation. That witness was Mtdshipmar
George Wilson Hewlett Of the third class
who saw Midshipman CONN in Kim.
brougrs room while that mldshipman was
standing on his head. Hewlett declined tc
tell the name Of the accused when CUES
toned by Lieutenant Commander McVay
but he was told he would be placed or
oath and made to tell II the guilty mid.
shipman was not man enough to come for.
ward and confess. Later. according to the
evidence. Coffin confessed and offered his
resignation. saying he would resign to pro-
tect others.
Lieutenant Commander William X. Har-
rison. Judge advocate, read the charge and
the one specification, the former being
hazing and the latter that Midshipman
Coffin caused Midshipman Kimbrough to
stand on his head on the evening OF De-
cember IL until he lost consciousness. to
the accused. Coffin pleading not guilty to
both. e. STheall Of Washington. D. c.,
who graduated from the Naval Academy
with the class of '91 but who Is retired
and practicing law. was then introduced
as counsel for the defense.
Contention Over Alleged Hazing.
Immediately Lieutenant Commander Nc
Way was called to the witness stand. but
there a contention arose. Mr.. Theall said
he took 1t for granted that Judge Advocate
Harrison would attempt to bring out some
thing about an alleged confession. and that
he would object until the prosecution had
brought out some evidence regarding the
charge In itself. The Judge advocate ad-
mitted that the witness would testify re-
garding the confession, but said he wanted
to use him to identify the accused, admit
ting that Kimbrough could not identity
Coffin as the man who hazed him. Finally.
Lieutenant Commander Harrison took the
witness from the stand. saying he would
call him later.
Midshipman Hewlett was then called. He
was warned that he did not have to answer
such questions as might incriminate him.
self.
Hewlett's Testimony.
Judge Advocate-What were your move
ments on the evening Of December IL be-
tween supper and study hour?
Al went from supper to my room pre-
pared book and then went to turn 1t in.
On my way 1 stopped In room SO. Bancroft
Hall. On my way back 1 looked in again.
Q.-What time was that?
A.-About 7:1O o'clock.
Q.-What did you see in room %?
A-According to the act of Congress.
which says any one witnessing, counten-
ancing or INDUCING In hazing will be dis
missed from the academy, believe I would
incriminate myself If l answered that ques-
ton
After much argument the court decided
that the witness would have to answer the
question put to him.
A.-Well / saw one man on his head ana
two others in the room.
Q.-Who was the midshipman on his
head?
A-Midshipman Kimbrough.
Q.-Who were the others in the room.
A-Midshipmen Coffin and Whitmire.
Q.-Is it customary for furth-class man
to haze member of his own class?
A.-No. sir
position Of Whitmire. who is a classmate
and roommate of Kimbrough.
Odd Kimbrough continue to stand on
his head while you were there?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-When you came back to room SO was
Kimbrough still on his head?
Ayes sir.
Q.-Who was in the room then?
Aust Coffin and Ktmbrough, Whit
mire having gone out.
Stood on His Head for the Court.
Q.-Will you illustrate what is meant by
standing on your head?
Here the witness placed his head on the
floor and held himself with his hands, while
he kicked his feet up In the air several
times.
Q-When "plebe" is told to stand on
his head, how long does he go through that
performance?
A.-Until he is told to stop.
Q.-How long was it between your visits?
A.-Not more than five minutes at the
outside.
Counsel for the defense-Did you see any
one In the room except those you have
mentioned.
A.-No sir.
Odd you see any one at the door?
A.-Some one looked over my head. He
was an upper classman, but I did not see
his face. I know he was an upper class
man because I'recognized his voice.
Odd you hear Coffin tell Kimbrough
to stand on his head?
A.-No, sir
Q.-Mlght he not have been on his head
before Coffin arrived?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-Might not Coffin have been there just
as you wereT
Ayes, sir.
Q.-Why did you go to room So?
A.-Curiosity. Some one told me fifteen
or twenty midshipmen were in Kimbrough's
room having some fun with him.
Kimbrough's Testimony.
Mdshipman Kinlbrough was then called.
Counsel for the accused objected ito the
testimony of the witness. saying the Judge
advocate had already admitted Ktmbrough
could not identify the man who hazed him
and that his evidence was not relevant The
court, however, oyerruled the objection.
Judge Advocate-Do you recognize the
accused?
A.--No. sir.
Q.-What is the number Of your room in
Bancroft Hall?
A.-No. SO.
Q.-Where were you between supper and
study hour on the evening of December II?
AIN my room
Q.-Where was your roommate?
Ain the room part of the time.
Q.-Had you any visitors?
Ayes. sir.
o.-Can you give some Of their names?
Ayes. sir.
Q.-Relate. please. what transpired in
your room?
Midshipman Abused Him.
A midshipman came into my room as
soon as supper was over and began to abuse
me. In few minutes several others came
In. Finally they all LETT, save one. My
L.