Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-01
BROTHERS CONFESS
James and Philip Strothel
 Tell of Killing Bywaters.
SHOT HIM ON HIS WEDDING NIGHT
Accused Take stand In own Behalf at Culpeper Murder Trial and Tell How Their sister, "Bride of
 an Hour," Was Treated.

an Hour," Was Treated.
 CULPEPER, Va, March 1.-James A. Strother, on trial with his brother Philip for the murder of William K Bywaters, their brother-in-law, took the stand in his own defense. He was permitted to tell the story of his sis ter's wrongs, with only occasional questioning by his chief counsel, John l.. JeffrieS.
 Although at times visibly affected by the strain under which he has la. bored since the night when Bywaters was killed, he related the relations be- tween the dead man and his sister in . straightforward manner.
 He gave his residence as Welch, w. Va, stating that his presence in Cul peper on the night of the tragedy was due to information sent him by Mrs Gaines, his sister. concerning her sus' picions as to Viola's condition.
 'sHow did you regard Bywatersy' he was asked.
 .'He had always enjoyed our full confidence" he replied. We knew that Viola loved him and regarded them as practically engaged"
 His story continued with a state ment concerning the demand he made on Bywaters to marry Viola.
 "Rev. Dr. Ware was to come and marry them, and I thought then that everything would end all right After the ceremony Bywaters' whole manner changed. He became indifferent to Viola and insolent to Mrs. Gaines. He seemed to think that his obligation to Viola was over when he married her."
 Referring to the quarrel between By waters and the members of the Stro ther family, the defendant said thai Bywaters grew abusive when a de mand was made that he remain witf Viola on the night of the tragedy.
 Did you insist on his remaining with your sister?" asked Attorney Jef fries.
 q certainly did, answered the wit ness. I realized that Viola was des perately i'll, and it was Bywaters' place as her husband to be with her."
 "What did he reply?"
 "He said: Jim Strother, I'm not afraid of you. I'm brave man."
 At this juncture, the witness stated Mrs. Gaines declared to Bywaters "Win Bywaters, you are the loves dog alive"
 "He said that he must go to Culpepe that night. I told him that we intend ed to watch him to see that he did no get away"
 "Did he answer yOu!"
 "No. He sprang from Viola's side tearing himself from her arms, ant made a dash for the window" "What happened then?"
 @The next thing heard was a shot Philip fired at Bywaters as he ran t get away"
 "Did you fire on him while he was Il the room?" asked his counsel.
 "My recollection is that we fired jus as he climbed out of the window We did not fire on him until he ha' got out of the window To avenge the wrong done his siste Phillip Strother, the other brother ol trial for the murder of his brother-in law, William Bywaters, admitted ol l the witness stand that, while he hal not anticipated trouble. he "shot t kilr' when Bywaters attempted to de sert his bride of an hour." | A pathetic interlude in the testimon. came when the defendant, after com pleting his story of the tragedy. told o his mothers admonition on her death ! bed to always protect our girls. Jim. Strother paused in his story. overcom I with emotion. and his counsel wer visibly affected.