Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-06
C0NFESSES TO POLICE
Richard Gregory Admits Having
Killed William Garner.
HAD ALMOST PROVED ALlBI
Claims He Struck Fatal Blow in De.
fense of Woman.
IDENTIFIED BY ONLY WITNESS
Hattie Martin, Who Was With Carney
When He Was Killed, SAYS
Gregory Is Guilty.
HAD ALMOST PROVED ALlBI
IDENTIFIED BY ONLY WITNESS

Richard Gregory, coored, who was ar
rested by Policemen >. A Davis and McGiN
Grove of the seventh precinct suspicion
that he knew something regarding the mur-
der of William Garner, colored in Rock
Creek Park near Thompsonis bridge last
Saturday night, made n confession this
afternoon, according to the police, In which
he admitted he struck the fatal blows on
Gamers head, but he claimed he did 1t
IN defense OF the honor of woman who
was with Garner at the time.
The confession made this afternoon,
it is said. after the police had spent the
morning in an investigation which had APP
parently established an alibi for Gregory.
His admiss on of guilt was therefore a COM
plete surprise to the police The prisoner,
it is said corroborated every detail of the
crime as outlined by Hattie Martin. who
was with Garner when he was killed
Gregory was arrested yesterday at 18th
and o streets northwest by Policemen Dav s.
and Grove of the seventh precinct. He an
swered the description z ven by Mrs Martin
of Gamers assailant. Desiring TO give the
suspect every chance Capt. Schneider pro-
cured nine men of about Gregory's size and
build and stood all Of them tog .ther in the
station house. Then Hattie Martin was
asked to pick out Gamers assai ant, If he
was there. After looking carefully down
the line she picked out Gregory and posi-
lively identified him as the man The group
was mixed again, anu agan the witness
selected Gregory. None of the others was
under suspicion.
Recognizes His Voice.
The same men were subsequently put in
a dark cellar and the woman was asked to
pick out man by his voice, and she identi-
fled Gregory. The Iolce We're pretty well
satisfied of Gregory's guilt, but they asked
Gregory to account for his whereabouts
Saturday night. He told a plain story
claiming he was wor':ing in barroom near
the Center market Saturday night until a
few minutes of 10 ocock. That statement
was investigated, and persons there stated
| that Gregory worked Saturday night Until
nearly 10 o'clock AS the murder was COM
| mitted, at the latest, at $40 o'clock, this
proved to Capt Schneider that Gregory
not the man, and ne decided to let him go.
Gregory was very nervous. however, and
Capt. Schneider felt that the man might
be wanted for something else. After
Gregory was returned TO the station he
was again questioned. Finally he broke
down.
Il guess l will tell you the whole truth"
he stated, and then he made statement
to the effect that he was the man wanted.
Capt Schneider cautioned Gregory, II Is
stated, that whatever he said would be
| used against him, and the latter stated that
he meant to tell the truth.
Gregory's Statement.
To Capt. Schneider and others in the
room, it is declared, he stated that he left
his place of employment early Saturday
evening, with permission to be gone a
couple of hours. This not known to
those at the saloon who had been ques-
toned by the officers. He went to Rock
Creek, and while he was there. he says.
he Garner and Mrs. Martin walk into
the park. He says that by his actions he
thought Garner was attempting to criminal
| ly assault the woman and for that reason,
! Gregory says, he obtained big stick and
struck Garner in the head. the prisoner
| maintains that he had idea of killing
| the man and acted only in defense of the
| woman. He justifies his acts on the ''un-
| written law"
When shown the stick which the police
found near the scene of the murder and
| which was held as evidence at the station
house, the police say, Gregory said ii was
the weapon he had used.
Garners body found lying on blood
matted grass in Rock Creek Park last Sun
day morning. Hattie Martin, who was
arrested and finally admitted that she was
lowing an inquiry she was held by the coro-
ner for the action of the grand jury
an accessory to the crime.
Capt. Schneider and his men in the sew
enth precinct worked hard to solve the
mystery surrounding the case and general
congratulations went through the police
department today to the precinct for the
capture of the who made the con-
feSsion.