Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-30
ARGUED BY COUNSEL
Case of George Midgets, on
Trial for Murder.
WITNESSES HEARD TODAY
Evidence Regarding General Appear
ance of Prisoner Day Of Murder.
SOME CONFLICTING STATEMENTS
Testimony of Principal Witness for
the State contradicted-Early
Close Expected.
WITNESSES HEARD TODAY
SOME CONFLICTING STATEMENTS

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. March 30. 1907.
Unless the jury shall be unable to agree
George Midgets. alias William Johnson,
colored charged with the murder Of Charles
T. Smith, October 20, 1906. will know his
fate before o'clock this afternoon. The
morning session of court was concluded
with the argument of State Attorney Sam
uel G Brent. who made an earnest appeal
for a conviction of the prisoner. and asked
FOR a verdict of murder in the first degree.
Court then took a recess and the jurors
went to lunch.
Shortly after . o o'clock this afternoon court
reconvened and the opening argument for
the defense was made by Attorney r. D.
Brumback. and he was followed by Attor-
ney Howard W. Smith. also representing
the defense. When The Stars report closed
States Attorney Samuel G. Brent was max
ing the closing argument for the state.
The will. in all probability. be given
10 the jury shortly before 4 O'Clock this
afternoon.
At the morning session of the court thir-
teen witnesses were examined. among those
being many called in rebuttal. The testi-
mony brought out at the morning session
was of no material Importance, although
the majority of those testifying stated
that Robinson. and not Midgets. had side
burners. Midgets. it was claimed. was al
ways clean shaver. The idea in bringing
tins out by the defense was to try and
prove that Robinson. and not Midgets was
the man who killed Smith. The verdict is
awaited with keen interest by hundreds OF
citizens. many of whom have been in con-
slant attendance at the trial since its be-
ginning, Wednesday last.
Morning Session Opens.
A few minutes after 10 O'Clock this morn
IaI
Engineer E. c. Dunn was called to the
stand. He stated that the width Of King
street from curb to curb is supposed to
be thirty-eight feet, and the pavement ia
supposed to be fourteen feet. This is
Where the murder Is alleged to have oc-
Cured "
James Bradley stated he was in the c,r-
Gus tent when the shooting occurred Wit
ness said he came out and accompanied
fohceman Ferguson and others to the depot
IN pursuit of the prisoner He denied see
ing Midgets that night. He also stated
tHdt ne never saw man in the corner of
a nearby fence
James J. Kelley testified to having scan
NUGGETS and Robinson the night of the
murder. Robinson, he said, had .sideh;rp
ers' and Midgets was clean-shayen The
witness SAID however. that he would not
swear that Midgets was clean-shaven
Nharles Hohenstein said he saw the pris-
oner on the night of the murder Mideets
ne said. was clean-shaven and Robinson had
side whiskers. Witness said Midgets and
ROBINSON entered kelley's bar that after
noon between and . o'clock and purchased
can of salmon and drinks. The witness
was quite positive that Midgets was clean
shaven.
Midgets was then brought before the jury
to be inspected to see If It could be oh
served If he ever had side whskers
Wash Jackson. colored also identified
that Midgets' face was minus side whis-
kers and Robinson had ''sldeburners."
10
in front of his place about o'clock in the
afternoon the day of the murder jackson
was quite positive that Midgets was clean--
shaver.
Police on the Stand.
William Ferguson, policeman. gave testi-
mony concerning his return from the depot
with Bradley and Meeks. Policeman Mich
olson told of Meeks going with the crowd to
the depot about IL O'Clock on the night of
the murder.
Harry Fl. Simpson testified to being in a
crowd that went in pursuit of the murderer
Meeks. he said, left the crowd about IL or
IL GO o'clock.
Chief Goods said that about IL o'clock
that night Meeks told him he saw a man
behind Baggots fence.
Mr. Simpson was recalled and told of
Meeks having called Chief Goods and tell
George W. Rodgers saw Meeks that night
and he heard Meeks tell the crowd that
there was man near Baggots fence
Witness said IL was between 10 and IL
o clock. Rodgers also stated that Meeks
told the crowd that the man spoke to him
as he passed.
Richard Burnett said he was acquainted
with M'dgets and he always knew the pris-
oner by the name OF Johnson. Robinson
he said, was shorter and lighter in color
Both Midgets and Robinson dressed alike
he said Burnett said he had seen Midgets
with mustache, and that Robinson had
sideburnGrs.
X. II Cox. city sergeant. told Of a brief
convS .sation he had with JamL3 Bradley
and excused.
W. w. Cation said Midgets had a short
mustache and Robinson had ''sideburners''
After Mr.. Cation had testified a recess
was taken at 1880 o'clock at which time
the attorneys In the case prepared their
instructions to the jury.
Al noon the jury assembled in the box
and Judge Barley read the Instructions
which he said. should be considered as
whole.
Additional Testimony Yesterday.
Contrary 10 expectations. the trial was not