The Washington herald., 1907-03-28
WASHINGTON HERALD BUREAU,

- q - ID q So


Johnson. alias George Midget. colored,
charged with the murder of Charles 7.
Smith. son OF Lieut. James Smith, OF the
local police force, was commenced this
morning before Judge Louis C. Barley in
the Corporation Court. During the entire
session the prisoner was surrounded by
a detachment of soldiers. while the cross
bayonets OF two militiamen prevented &C
cess 10 the building to all. except small
number IN addition 10 those directly con
nected with the case. When the soldiers
escorting the prisoner arrived, and when
they departed in the afternoon. the street
in front OF the city hall was packed with
spectators, Of whom a large number were
negroes Apart from this evidence OF IN
terest in the case, there was no appear
anee 10 indicate the least public excite
ment. and no demonstration of any sort
was attempted.
Contrary TO expectations the selection
OF the jury was accomplished without
much delay. Before noen the twelve men
haG been sworn. and the hearing Of
testimony commenced. When court ad-
journed ten OF the witnesses for the
commonwealth had been examined. The
S. following compose the jury: Jonathan
Matthews. John Ateheson, Adam Martin.
Richard ". Coleman, Samuel Boush,
August P. Pohl, Thomas a. Fisher, John
G. Coekey, John B. Carter James Nc
Cuen. William c. Bremen. and Frank
NJ MichaIbach.
Before the trial was opened Attorney
Robley D. Brumbaek Of counsel for the
4.e.,.-- ..4ar,--.9 sFa aoftvf in an effort
10 have the proceedings postponed on
the ground that the attorneys for the pris-
oner had not had sufficient time in which
10 prepare. The court ruled against the
motion. stating that ample consideration
would be given the interest Of the defense
in the progress of the trial plea for
a change Of venire. made by Attorney
Howard w Smith. for the defense. was
also denied by the court.
When arraigned Johnson entered a plea
of not guilty. Commonwealth Attorney
Samuel G. Brent then briefly outlined the
case 10 the jury, announcing that he eX-
pected a verdict of murder in the first de-
gree. u expect to show 10 the satisfae-
ton Of the court and jury" he said. that
the murder was wiIlful and committed
no question as "a the identity of the
prisoner Counsel for the defense waived
a formal statement.
B. Wheatley an undertaken, who was
the first witness called, told of removing
the body OF Smith and of finding a black
Jack in one of the pockets, Police Justice
Harry B. Cation identified an overcoat.
said to have been Johns5n's, as having
been brought 10 the station-house after
the shooting.
The next witness, Washington Jackson.
colored, identified the prisoner as William
Johnson. Jackson said that Johnson had
been a boarder at his house Immediately
after the shooting the witness had OBJ
served man running westward at the
intersection of King and Peyton streets.
As he ran the man threw on his overcOat
and fred pistol In the direction Of his
pursuers. He in turn was fired upon by
somegone unknown 20 the witness. Jack
son declared that at the time he had no
idea who the fugitive was, but that later
il occurred TO him that the man looked
like johnson. This. the witness said. was
after the details of the murder had been
discussed, and the name OF Johnson had
been suggested in connection with the
crime.
At the opening Of the afternoon session
tion of the ground where the shooting oc-
CURED. Policeman A. j. Nicholson, the
next witness. told OF seeing Smith come
10 the station house on the night of the
shooting with two colored women, who
had been arrested on the fair grounds, IN
his custody. Nicholson said that Smith
had a blackjack in one hand. He re-
marked the witness said, that Officer
Galyey had sent him down with the
prisoners. This testimony was mistaken
under discrimination
officer Roberts, who was in charge al
the station house on the night in ques-
ton. testified that when Smith offered to
70 back and help Garvey at the fair
grounds, he had told Smith that he
would appreciate the service. Counsel for
the defense objected 10 the introduction
os this evidence Officer Roberts said thai
no iutimation had been attempted and nc
offers of clenIency made in securing ad-
missions from johnson after he was
turned over TO the Virginia officers al
Harrisburg, Pa. The statement made By
the prisoner then, as related by the wit
ness. was that he had engaged in a fracas
on the fair grounds. and had fred tive
shots at a crowd. but that he had not
shot at Smith. the latter being killed. az
supposed by a negro named Franl
Mason.
Dr. samuel B. Moore. the city coroner
testified that Smiths death had beer
caused by a wound in the head inflicted
by q E4-caiber bail Thomas McCueT
described a fight on the fair grounds IT
which he assisted Officer Nicholson. wheT
the latter was set upon by several negroes
He also told Of the circumstances Of th'
arrest of Johnson and the shooting Of
smith William Bailey. eoiored. identi
fed clothing said TO belong 10 johnson
and his companion. He said he knew
johnson well, as did also James Parks
colored. the next witness, Court then ad
. 1ourned for the day and the prisoner wa:
removed 10 his cell in the Alexandra
County jail.
.Fur,sa,.erss Eetgfson Denfe,f.