Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-24

An Autopsy Proposed.
Counsel Robson then sprang the sensa-
ton of the trial by requesting that an an-
topsy should be held with view to deter
mining the exact cause of Branch's death.
1t was suggested that this could not be
done without the consent of the family,
but District Attorney Rose said that what
ever the personal feelings OF the relatives
they must give way to the grave question
at issue.
Commander Robson asked that medical
evidence be called to show whether the
cause of death could be definitely deter
mined by an autopsy at this late day.
The court was then cleared to consider
that question.
On the reassembling of the court It was
announced that the court had agreed to ASK
the Secretary Of the Navy to order the
autopsy Commander Robson said he
would request the presence at the autopsy
OF DIR. Ames. now In Annapolis and DR..
Gatewood now on duty in Washington. In
order to give expert testimony. The au-
topsy probably Will be performed by one
of the doctors on duty at the yard.
Admiral McCormick's Presence Chal-
1enged.
The afternoon session was opened by cor
rectng the testimony Of Medical Inspector
Byrnes. who had some slight alterations to
make in the copy of his evidence. Several
midshipmen witnesses are on the list Tor
the afternoon and will be called to order,
but the announcement that an autopsy had
been decided upon was the point Of extreme
interest.
Another sensation was sprung at the
afternoon session, when the judge advocate
without warning challenged Rear Admiral
Mccormick as a member of the court on
the ground of prejudice following his ex-
animation of the medical witnesses at the
morning session.
The challenge was not sustained.
Yesterday Aftsrnoon's Proceedings.
The afternoon as we'll as the morning ses
sion Of the court yesterday was taken up
with medical testimony. Medical Inspector
Byrnes of the academy, DR.. Henry NJ
Thomas of the Johns Hopkins University
and DR.. J. P. M. Finney Of Baltimore. allo
whom were present at the operation on
Branch. testified. The whole afternoon was
spent in hearing one witness corroborate
the others accounts. The gist of 1t all
might be summed up in the statement by
Byrnes: Branch was dead man when
first saw him brought into the sick ward"
All OF the doctors corroborated the state
ment of DIR. Stone at the morning session.
that neither the hot shower bath nor the
hot towels on Branchs head had any APP
probable effect, either for or against his
death.
1t was the worst evidence for Meriwether
since the trial began. The counsel for the
defense, Commander Robson, tried to draw
out from the medical men the statement
that the treatment given Branch by his
classmates caused or fastened his death.
Failing In that he tried to get an admis-
sion from them that an abnormally weak
vascular system might have been the real
reason that the fight ended fatally. DR..
F'fnney alone admitted that this was pos
sible. but characterized 1t as most i'm
probable"
Several members of the court, who evil
IDENTIFY could not be accused of prejudice
against the accused. tried to come to Meri-
wether's assistance, and number Of Ques-
lions were asked the witnesses, in the evil
dent hope of getting some admission that
would put the responsibility for Branch's
death on something other than the fight.
But. although the witnesses all admitted
man having been killed by hemorrhage of
the brain in a glove fight, they stuck to 1t
that the fight alone was responsible for
Branch's injuries and death.
Several things have been developed by the
trial so far. One Is that probably major
and will save him If possible. On the other
hand, Branch's classmates are very bitter
over his death and would be glad to see
Meriwether dropped from the rolls.
The effect on the so-called code Is prob.
lematical One of the men present at the
fatal fight said today that personally he
would not accept challenge or participate
in another fight so long he remained in
the academy. But no general sentiment
has been expressed by the mdshipmen In
favor of abolishing fighting.
There are still enough witnesses for the
ably the case will continue till next Tues
day.