The Washington herald., 1907-03-31
WASHINGTON HERALD BUREAU.
Corner Of Prince and ROYAL Street.

ANlutl "a lAllLr anu tN1ai ottfSt9s
Alexandra, Va, March S0.-A verdict Of
guilty of murder in the first degree was
rendered this afternoon in the Corporation
Court in the case Of ~ lillian Johnson. col
ored. alias George Midget who had been
on trial since Wednesday morning for the
killing of Charles T. Smith. son Of Lieut.
Smith, Of the police force. in this city Oc-
tober 20 last. The case was given to the
jury about 3:45 and was under delibera-
tion for an hour and twenty minutes
After The verdict had been announced.
Judge Barley directed the prisoner 10
stand UP, and asked him IL ne had any
thing to say why sentence should not be
pronounced. He replied, asserting his in
nocence. but stating that he had had a
fair trial. The court then sentenced john
son 20 be hanged at the jail in this city on
May "A next The prisoner was conveyed
back 10 Fredericksburg under guard Of
the military company of that place. lie
viii remain in jail there until the day be
fore the execution.
Immediately after the announcement of
the verdict a motion 10 set aside as be
ing contrary TO the law and the evidence.
" as lluQE uA IhuAeEl ADl LliE llEfNtASEf emu
was overruled by the court. Judge Bar
ley also ruled adversely on motions for
an arrest Of judgment and for q new trial.
Prisoner Maintains Innocence.
The prisoner showed no evidence of be-
ing disturbed by the verdict and subse-
quent proceedings. He stated in a firm
voice that he realized that the jury was
justified by the evidence in adiudging him
guilty, but he declared that the real facts
in the case were deeply shrouded in mys-
terry
Interest i'm the outcome OF the trial drew
an unusually large gathering TO the court
Ioom this afternoon. The street in front
Of the city hall was also crowded with
people. The proceedings were more pro
tracted than had been anticipated Be
fore the final arguments We're commenced
thirteen witnesses were examined many
being called ia rebuttal. In the main the
testimony brought out at the morning ses-
sion tended TO show that Johnson was
clean-shaven on the night of the murder.
and that Frank Robinson. his companion,
wore side whiskers
The Importance of this evidence lay In
the fact that one of the leading witnesses
Tor the prosecution had stated positively
that the man who killed Smith wore a
heard at the time of the murder The
value OF this for the defense was en-
hanced by the testimony of other Wit
resses 10. the effect that Robinson had
side whiskers and mustache at the time
OF the tragedy The contention Of coun-
Sc! for the defense was that Robinson
and no, Johnson had killed Smith Rob
inson IS stiIl at large
Among those whose testimony tended
10 support the claim Of the defense with
reference TO the question Of whiskers was
James J. Kelley. Charles Hohenstein, aud
Washington Jackson, the latter coiored.
Lawyers sum Up.
Commonwealth Attorney Samuel C.
Brent made the principal summing-up ar
gument for the prosecution at the close
OF the morning session. when he re-
viewed the evidence. dwelling especially
uDon the testimony of the two eve
witnesses to the shooting, Officer Garyey
and Frederick Brooks who sW0re that
Johnson was the man whom they saw
kjll Smith. Mr. Brent made an earnest
appeal for conviction. Attorney Robley
u, Brumback made the opening argil-
meUt for the defense. The closing an
peal In behalf of the prisoner was made
by Attorney Howard ". smith Both
laid stress upon what they termed the in
direct and uncertain character Of the
greater portion Of She evidence. and en-
phasized the testimony tending to connect
Frank Robinson. instead Of The defend
ant. with the shooting. Mr. Brent then
followed with the concluding argument
for tine prosecution