Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-12-29
UNABLE TO IDENTIFY COFFIN
Rulc Prohibiting Victim From Look.
ing at lnquisitor Keeps Unfor,u-
nate Boy From Knowing Who
Hazed Him-Witnesses Make
Strong Case Against Accused.
iDy Associated prcssl

hNNApOldS, MD, Dec. 2S.-COurt
martial proceedings against Midship-
man Trcnmor Coffin, Jr., member
OF the third class on the charge Of
hazing Alldshipman Jerdone r. Kim.
brough of the fourth class, began ut
the naval academy today.
AIidshipman George w. Hewlett of
the third class, was the first Wit.
ness.
The witness testified that he had
lookCtl in the door OF room 81 in Ban
croft Hall on the evening Of Deccm-
Der IL and that he saw kimbrough
standing on his head and Coffin AMI
kim5rough's roommate in the room
with him. Witnesses said that he
left the vicinity OF SO, and remain
cd away about five minutes. When he
returned Kimbrough was still ON his
head and Colin the only other per
son in the room.
Couldn't Identity Coffin.
Midshipman Kimbrough was tile
next witness and it developed that
be was unable to identify Coffin us
the man who had hazed him. The
rule. 1t appears, is that no lower
clasSman must look at IN uppcr-
classinan under such circumstances
ana this was SO rlgidly oberved in
the present casecthat Kijnbreugh couM
not say that Cofan hdd fiazed hini.
He told. however. how he had been
'laScd hy being compelled to stand
on: his head. He' had been. hazed. he
said, until no gave. OUT. entirely. !.
-, Revived For More tiaxira.
IThen the midsfapman :'who was do
inf the hazlngN f;threw water. over
liilh and Eedmpcllcd HON to go again.
ZIG brought the rotation up,'to the
point tqswhcfc he lostseons Giousness.
Mhen}kc recovered Consciousness; in
the natal academy hospital, arms,
legs and head were very sore.
Officer on the Stand.
Lieut. Commander Charles u. Nc
Yes. Jr.. was the last witness dur.
ing tho morning session. He is at
tachcd to the department OF discipline
nt She acaHsmy and is member OF, the
board of investigation now going into
the subject OF hazing at the academy.
The witness said during his testimony
that he had learned a great deal about
hazlng during the last few weeks. He
said that he was at Bancroft Hall ON
the evening of December H. He had
found IiimGroush in bed, which was
contrary To regulations at that time
Found kimbroush Unconscious.
He had questioned him and found
that he was apparently unconscious
aud had summoned the academy sur.
geon BY whom Kimbrough was remoy.
cd 80 the hospital
The witness then investigated the
matter with the object OF finding out
who had hazed kimbrougb, the fact
that be had been having been elected
from his roommate. He discovered
that AIidshipman Hewlett had looked
into the room aud seen tho hnzing.
He then informed that Hewlett that
unless he told the name of the mid.
shipman pc would be either expelled
fer disobcyins orders or called before
the board CT Investigation in the morn
ing and compelled to testify.
Confession Admitted.
Upon rcasscmbing the court admit
ted the testimony CT Lieutenant Com.
mandcr McVey as TO Collins ccnfes.
sion. Cotiin, the witness, said admit
ted that be had stood Kinbrough on
his head Tor about ten minutes.
Several witnesses testified that thcy
did not consider Kimbrough's reputn,
ton for truth telling the best, but All
mit'ed that they had only heard re.
Elections upon his truthfullness since
the incident, which forms the basis &C
the trial and also admitted that the
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