Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-15
MAY GET JURY TODAY
Court Proceeds With Hearing
in T. jenkins Hams Case.
MORE TALEsMEN ACCEPTED
Attorneys for Defense Make Public
Alleged Confession.
TWO ASSISTANT PROSECUTORS
Justice Crane Authorizes Participa-
ton of Messrs. Dayton and White,
Notwithstanding Objection.
TWO ASSISTANT PROSECUTORS

Special Dispatch To The Star.
FLUSHING. y. Y. December 1J.-One
Interesting development over night in the
trial in the supreme court here of I. Jen-
kins Hams, Jointly indicted with his
brother, Capt Peter c. Hams, for the
murder of William f. Annis. was tire
definite announcement this morning by
the attorneys for the defense that the de-
PENDANT would take the witness stand in
his own behalf. Rumors that this step
would be taken have cropped out. but no
statement from the attorneys in charge
could be obtained until today. No one who
has noted the self-possessed manner of
T. jenkins Hams since the tragedy has
doubted his ability to undergo the ordeal
of testifying In his own defense with his
own life weighing in the balance. The
constant advice given by the accused
from the outset of his trial yesterday
showed that he had no intention of taking
a back seat in the proceedings.
1t seems certain that when the defend
ant steps to the witness chair he will
make an aggressive. resourcefu1 witness.
One fact that will aid him materially is
that once before he occupied precisely
similar position. That was at his trial in
Virginia for the killing of his friend Ned
Hannigan in 1891. 1t was Thornton Hams
own testimony which saved his life then.
1t Is declared, notwithsta nding the severest
kind of cross-examination at the hands of
the ablest of counsel.
May Complete Jury Today.
With the prospect that the jury box
would be filed today, thanks to Justice
Cranes methods, the principal witness for
the prosecution arrived early to be on
hand if needed. Mrs. William E. Annis.
lott
company with Mr. and Mrs c. A. Burch-
field. Mrs. Annis and Mrs. Burchtield
were on the float of the Bayside Yacht
Club when Capt. Hams drew his re-
yolver
The attorneys for Hams made public
today the confession alleged to have been
made by Mrs. Claudia Hams, wife of
Capt Peter c. Hams, May 81, of this
year. Mrs. Hams has declared that while
she was drugged or under the influence
of liquor that had been forced upon her
she was induced TO sign some kind of a
paper the contents of which she was not
aware. The confession is alleged to have
been signed in the presence of her hus-
band and his father, Gen. Hams. and
David c. Bennett, jr.. who was then at
torney for Capt. Hams.
Substance of Alleged Confession.
In the paper given out today Mrs.
Hams is represented as declaring over
relation with William f. Annis beginning
one month after her husband left Fort
Hamilton, October 20 1907.
Thornton Hams arrived in court a few
minutes ahead of time with even a little
more swagger than yesterday. Justice
Crane was on time to the minute and the
business of completing the jury started
promptly.
A ripple caused AZ the outset by the
filing of documents intended by District
Attorney Darrn to authorize his specia!
assistants. Messrs. Dayton and White, to
appear in the case. Mr. Mcintyre yester-
day objected TO the appearance, and this
morning me renewed his objections with
much insistence.
II submit that these papers do not com
ply with the statute" he said The people
have elected the prosecutor, the
assumption that he is competent in every
respect Mr. Dayton's name was suggest
al nv the Baysidc Yacht Club
oh. l don't think you need worry over
that" interrupted Justice Crane, smiling,
there is nothing in this case but the evil
dence. Mr.. Dayton and Mr.. White may
appear in the case
Two Talesmen Accepted.
This shut off Mr.. McIntyre's argument
and closed the incident
Two more jurors Were selected at the
morning session. This made eight men
I'm the box.
Inc seventh Juror was found after he
court had been in session an hour. He
i Alexander Jardne a plumber Mr.
Jardine is thirty eight years old and mar
ried. He was born in Texas and is
haIf-breed Indian. He is also "A Carlisle
College graduate.
The eighth juror is Hugh MCCULLOUGH
milk dealer Mr.. Mccullough is mar
ried and seems to be little over thirty
Years OF age.
During the examination % the talesmen
Frederick q. Dewitt the newly elected
district attorney Of Queens county en-
tered the court room. To Mr.. Dewitt Will
fall the duty of trying Capt. Hams. and
he will be an interested watcher of the
proceedings from nov on.
Mai. Hams arrived in court late He
greeted his brother cordially taking a
seat BY his side. Gen. Hairs was alb
sent II was said that he with his wife
thus far, might appear at the afternoon
session.
After ten other talesmen had been ex-
amined a recess ordered until 30
o'clock Justice Crane sending the Jurors
To- luncheon i'm charge of the sheriff. aft
or instructing them not 10 talk about
the case.
Mother and Father Arrive.
Before the opening of the afternoon ses
sion Gen. Peter C. Hams and wife. the
father and mother OF the defendant,
reached Flushing. IT is understood they
will remain here throughout the trial
During tIe .rosseXamination Of Charles