Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-03-29

prosecution 30 tnccabb Vi Wilhelm ""h"
son. colored, now on trial in the Corpor-
alton Court charged with killing Charles
T. Smith, yesterday rested its csse. after
which witnesses for the defense we're put
on the stand.
After the report closed, yestsrdsy.
Walter Slocum, who lives Ia West End.
vas called. he was across the street
when Smith vas shot. A week before
the shooting he passed two negroes on
the Virginia House corner and the taller
man said, "Come on, Robinson. and
lets 20 down the street." he couldn't
tell anything about the height OF the
man who was running after Smith vas
shot. Mr.. Brent asked Slocum II he
knew anything else sbont the murder and
he said ''yes," but 1t developed that 1t
was heTesay. and he was excused.
Grace Beps, colOred, told Volubly oil
the trouble 10 The circus tent between
"Frsnk" and another colored man. She
proved a veritable human phonograph
and caused considerable amusement In
the court room. Her evidence was un-
important In lis bearing on the case.
Sarah johnson, wife of the prisoner,
told of the disturbance on the fair
grounds before the killing Of Smith when
she said fifteen or twenty shots were
cred. Che identified a coat near the
ecene of the shooting as being the prop
erty of johnson. During her examine
tion. which had no direct bearing upon
the circumstances Immediately surround
ing the murder, johnson leaned for
yard and listened intently.
Maggie johnson, colored, who followed,
testified that johnson came to her house
On Queen street three tunes on the night
OF the shooting. Once, she said, she
noticed that he was bareheaded aud
had been shot In the leg. This, witness
Esld. was before Smith was shot She
asserted thst he came bsck 10 her house
the dsy after the killing Of Smith. She
said abe had not informed the police OF
his visits for fear that she would be
killed by Frank Robinson, who, declared,
had threatened her with death If she ever
told the police anything concerning him
self and his friends.
At the conclusion Of the womsn's tes-
timouy court adjourned.
When court adjourned johnson was
hsndcufeG to aguard aud, surrouaded BY
the milIrtay company, was marched to
the corner Of King and Fairfax streets,
where re was put on an electric car and
taken back to the county jail to remain
till this morning.
Shortly before the court adjourned
for the day Attorney Brumback, for the
defense, asked the CONT to Instruct the
city sergeant to obliterate sill references
10 the trial from the newspapers, that
the members of the jury are allowed to
read, and tbs request was granted. A
witness who is expected to be OF clnSid'
cradle importance to one side or the
other arrived 10 Alexandria Unexpectedly
Last night. He Is Fred. Brooks, an
Englishman, who says he was within
few fest of Smith whom he ives killed
and he claims that he can identify the
man who fred the fatal shot. Since
then he has enlisted in the Marine
Corps, and he stated last night that bis
visit here at this time is mere coin
cjdence, as he did not know before hi
arrival that the trial was in progress
Brooke stated last night that If Midget
is the guilty man he will recognize hin
instantly.
Brooks went to the station house this
morning aud saw johnson. DE posi-
lively identified him as the man who
shot Smith.
johnson was brought back TO THU
city shortly before nine o'clock BY th'
military company. Many people were
again gathered a. King aud Falrfa1
streets where the soldiers and theil
charge left the train.
After the court opened Mr.. Smith
asked for the production OF the photo
graph by which Officer GsrVey is ALLEGED
10 have identified the prisoner, aud th'
court announced that he could secure 1T
introduction by following the rules o
practice. -.
Madison johnson, colored, identified
a light hat IS one which Maggie John
SOD, his uucle's wife, gave him sbou
too months ago. 90 crosS-examlDstiol
be said ne gave the hal back 30 Maggi
,johnsou yesterday morning at her re
quest but thst she did not tell him wha
she wanted with 1t.
Betty Ellie, colorsd, said she wss q
Maggie Johnson's house the night o
October 20 and a man came In au'
walked through the house. he sail
nothing. Maggie johnson followed hin
into back room aud returned in ie'
minutes, but the man did not return
He had on dsrk clothes and light hat
She said abe would not be able 10 recog
nIzs the man.
Mr, Rrumbsck told the court that b
Was afraid the jury had not fully under
stood Maggie Johnson's testimony
and at his request she was recslle
She repeated her story Of thre
visits made to her house by Johr
son on the night Of October 20, and sal
he had been shot in the leg. 1! was the
about s o'clock. She gave him hat an
he left. but returned again Sunday nigf
about dark and she gave hiu sOmethin
60 eat.
DR.. 8. B. Moore testified that he ha
examined the wound In Johnson's ie
and that it would be natural for him
limp an hour after he was shot. De wi
evidently shot while running. lie Oh
let, he said, is still In the mans iss' o,
Gertrude Robinson vas recalled. 81