New-York tribune., 1907-01-30
SIMPSON TRIAL BEGINS.
SCATHED BY PROSECUTOR.
Dentist Not Drunk on Night of
Shooting, Say Doctors.
[By Telegraph 70 The Tribune. ]

IBy Telegraph The Tribune.I
Riverhead. Long Island. Jan. 29.-Dr. James w.
Simpson, the New York dentist accused of the
murder OF his father-in-law. BARLEY T. Horner.
at NorthpOrt, began the real fight for his life
before Justice William ]. Kelly here this after
noon, directly after the twelfth juror had been
found.
DR.. Simpson sat beside his counsel Martin 7.
Manton. Mrs Charles L. Bowman occupied a
seat next that OF her brother
Jim is only a big, overgrown boy" she said
last evening to a reporter. "Of course. living In
Virginia really know nothing of the case. but l
do know Jim. He is as incapable of doing the
crime OF which he stands charged as l am OL
course my position here is a very trying one, but
l am striving to forget that in order TO be READY
TO do oil that l can for my brother If required
l shall take the witness chair and tell the jury
that I know all the Horner family we'll nave
visited in the house for three months at a tme
as lately as the summer preceding the accident,
and never heard an unkind word pass between
Mr.. Horner and jim On the contrary, Jim has
repeatedly in my presence expostulated with MS
wife and her mother for not having little more
patience with Mr.. Horner. who was very deal'
because of his infrmity."
Mrs Simpson and her mother, Mrs Bartley
T. Horner, arrived here at noon In the at'er-
noon they were admitted by side entrance 10
the private room of District Attorney Furman
but were not summoned 10 the courtroom.
Frank Wisnewski the Polish chore boy who
was adtudged in the Supreme Court a month
ago to he still insane and George X Preston.
Greenport man convicted of arson, arrived on
the same train that bore Mrs. Simpson and
Mrs Horner They will be called by the Dis
trict Attorney tomorrow. It is said
AT 3 o'clock the District Attorney asked JUS
NIL d
ing headache The court was adjourned until
tomorrow morning at o'clock.
District Attorney Furman. In his opening ad-
dress TO the jury said that DR.. Simpson had re-
turned home from the city with the smell of
liquor on his breath. He. his wife and Mrs.
Horner at supper talked OF the will Of Mr.. Hor-
ner. and OF his plan 70 put the property in trust.
he said. He told how. after Mr.. Horner entered
the house. DR.. Simpson went upstairs and
brought the gun, and went through some exer-
cises after supper.
Mr.. Horner got paper from HIS coat that
looked like legal document. he went on. and
while he was reading It Dr. Simpson looked
over his shoulder. He continued:
Mrs. Simpson told her husband to be careful
of the gun. many accidents had happened
He broke" the gun open and looked through
the barrels at the time telling his wife
that there was nothing in IL. Mr Horner went
unstaiTs and DIR simpson followed carrying the
gun When HoTner descended the stairs he
went TO the kitchen. as had been his habit for
years. He stood talking 10 Frank Wisnewski
about the horses feed when DR.. Simpson en-
tered the kitchen.
He stood within four feet OF Mr.. Horner. He
held the gun pointing toward his father-ln-law
He had said he got the gun to clean II, but he
had water rags and not even ramrod
The gun discharged, making two distinct
wounds
Mr. Horner stepped toward him. saying. MY
God. doctor. you have done IL at last" Then he
fell sidewise. Dr. Simpson a dentist. knew how
to stanch the fiow Of blood. but he went out OF
doors and said 10 a neighbor who asked what
had happened. 'T have accidentally shot my
father-in-law.
/ call attention 10 that word accidentally"
Would innocent man ever have thought OF
using that defensive word at such time? Mrs
HoTner and Mrs. Simpson. who had rushed from
the dining room into the kitchen Immediately
after the shots were heard. saw the defendant
standing there holding the gun with bar
res. stock and forearm together and intact
few minutes later they saw the gun in three
pieces
Or. Simpson did not go near Mr. Horner but.
on the contrary. said he had no regrets DR..
Simpson said a man could commit any crime IN
Suffolk County and go clear.
Mr.. Furman proceeded ~ show the poverty
of DR.. Simpson and his need for money.
Dr. John p. Heyn, the physician who first
reached Mr.. Horner's side after the shooting
was the hrst witness called. He said Or. simp-
had said; My God. this is the limit. the
limit" DR.. Heyn said Dr. Simpson was labor
ing under intense mental excitement and that
he knew that he was not under the influence OF
liquor
Dr. Isaiah Frank. OF No. 407 East Both street
Manhattan, the second doctor arriving at the
house. testified that DR.. Simpson reused him
from sleep by hammerng upon the door and
shouting, For Gods sake hurry. old man; /
have shot my father-in-law."
Under cross-examnation DR.. Frank said posi-
lively that Dr. Simpson was not intoxicated the
night OF the shooting. Dr. George H. DonOhue,
Of Northport. refused TO swear. saying he would
affirm. He reached the house two hours after
the shooting, at II o'clock. Mr.. Horner
reached up, took hts hand and asked him u
make him insensible