The Washington times., 1905-12-29
VERDICT REACHED !,
BY COURT MARTIAL.
PROBABLY GUILTY
This Will Mean DiSmiS-
sal of Midshipman
Coffin. -
DECATUR NEXT ON LIST
Father Arrives and Retains
Mr.. TheaIl as Associate
Counsel.
DECATUR NEXT ON LIST

ANNAPOLIS, Nd. Dec 29.-Four la
dies we're present this morning at the
opening OF the second days session of
MioshipmaR Collins court-martial on a.
charge OF hazlng Midshipman kim
brough in the evening OF December l2.
AT the conclusion of the reading of yes
terday's record the witnesses who had
testified We're recalled and given a copy
OF their testimony. which they read and
stated that it was correct.
Reached Verdict.
At 1920 the judge advocate was sent
for. the court having reached a verdict
After the findings had been written OUT
and signed the papers were sent to Ad-
miral Sands, who viii review The ease.
The admiral will not make known his
decision, but II VIII be given out in
Washington.
The opinion Is the court has given a
verdict CT guilty. and dismissal is ths
only punishment that can be meted OUT
to the accused.
At 1850 the court took recess until
2-S0. when the case of Midshfpman
Stephen Decatur, jr., first class, win be
called The father OF Decatur arrived
here at l2.30 and Immediately sought Mr.
1hean, who has been retained as asso-
clat- cOunSel IOr the accused.
There is one charge ard five specifea-
tions against Decatur Another first
class man viii follow Decatur as IL is
the purpose of the authorities TO proceed
with the ccurt-martiaI OF all first class
midd:es charged with hazing before tak-s
ing up the cases against midshipmen OF
other classes.
The first witness called by the pros
ecution was Midshipman whitmsyer.
Kimbrough's roommate He could not
recognize the accused The purpose OF
calling Whitmeyer was TO show that
Kimbrough's reputation for veracity
was not bad Witness said he never
heard any one question Kinbrousf's
reputation for veraeity. that so far as
he knew Kimbrough was truthful
Midshipman Braisted, fourth class
said kimbrough's general reputation
for truthfulness was very good so far
as he knew. On cross-examination by
Mr.. Theall. counsel for The accused wit
ness admitted that among some of his
classmates kinbrough-s reputation for
telling the truth was doubtful. that
some Of the boys said that Kimbrougn
did not tell the truth when he was be-
fore the commandanr. At this point
counsel for the accused in answer 10 a
question from Captain Reed. president
OF the court. said the defense had no
more witnesses
Opens for Defense.
Mr. Theall then addressed the court.
He devoted his attention 10 the testi-t
mOny OF the witnesses for the prosecu-
tion TO show that not a witness had
identified the accused as the midship-'
man who did the hazing and that a
doubt had been created by
the testimony of Aidshipman Hewlett.
Counsel for the accused in reviewing
the testimony OF Lieutenant Com
mander McVay said il was evident that
the confession OF the accused 10 McXay
was not voluntary, and therefore, should
not De received. as to do so would be in
violation OF the safeguards thrown
around the accused by the law.
Mr.. Theall attacked the testimony OF
I<imbrough, who could not identify the
accused, and said that the prosecution
had not shown by the testimony OF that
witness that Coffin had hazed KIM
brough- In effect, MT. Theen said little
credence should be given kimbrough'S
testimony.
Court Has Case.
Judge Advocate Harrison said he did
rot deem il necessary to make any re-
marks on the evidence He would con-
ent himself by reading TO the court the
rules of evidence relating to confessions
The case, at Ills, was then submitted
10 the court.