Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-23
Harry WItchsWah sWsaPs That He
Had No Intention Of Killing
Dora Hall.
Oh STAND II HIS Oan DEFENSE
Speaking Slowly and Waiting to be
Led by His Counsel the Indian Re.
lates His Life story and Gives Ac-
count of Fatal shootina-tHis Mem,
DRY Gives Him Trouble.

Gentlemen of the jury, l did not
have no intention whatever to shoe,
her. II was pure accident"
In these words Harrison Witchewah
told the jury in the Corporation Cour;
yesterday afternoon of the shooting or
Dora Hall in the rear of G. w. Whit
ing's saloon on the night of Saturday.
December Z, 1907.
This statement came as the climax
of the Indians fecital of his life
story and the story of his movements
on the day and night OF the murder
Throughout the recital which consum
ed upwards of two hours. he was led
by his attorney. Guy l.. Hursh, OF
Holton, Kansas. and when the story
had finally been brought down to the
time of the shooting. the attorney
said: Nov. Harry tell the jury
whether or not you intended to shoot
Dora Hail.
Turning 10. the jurymen. exhibiting
little or no emotion, and speaking
distinctly, but little haltingly.
Witchewah made the statement quot
cd above. A few seconds before he
had stated that after he and Dora
Hail entered the room in the rear of
the saloon he had taken out his gun
and was playing with It. pulling the
trigger back and lowering il with his
thumb. When he had told of the
shooting. Attorney Hursh immediate
ly asked: did you know there was 81
load in the gum"
II would not have been fooling with
1t If had known II was loaded" re.
piled Witchewah.
While on the stand Witchewah was
unusually calm and composed. AT
times he spoke haltingly, then again
he would answer questions rapidly.
However, he was absolutely careful to
let his lawyer lead him through his
recital He gesticulated frequently
and would scowl when he appeared
not to understand the question ask
ed On other occasions when he did
not understand the questions, he
would shrug his shoulders, throw out
both hands and say. 81 don't know
what you mean"
Unable to Remember
On cross examination he was I'M
able to remember anything that Com
monwealth's Attorney Charles Z.
Berkeley desired him to recall. After
n question had been put he ut times
would look at Captain Berkeley with
rather stupid stare and then again
he would answer the captains ques-
tons rapidly and at times apparently
tried to diverge from the point the
captain was attempting to bring our.
After cross examining the Witness
for more than half hour. Captain
Berkeley asked him if he had not told
Detective Sergeant Henry Bridgers
different story of the shooting from
that he had related on the witness
stand. Counsel for the accused Oh
iected 10 the question On the ground
that ii was not legitimate cross eS-
animation. Captain Berkeley then
stated that he asked the question in
order 10 give the witness an opportir
nifty 10 corpAct hirlself as it was the
purpose Of the commonwealth TO con-
tradct him.
II was explained that Sergeant
Bridgers would be called to the stand
TO relate what the accused had tod
him of the killing. for the purpose OF
,rebn,iing tho prisoners story.
Attorney Alfred Crane stated That
before the court ruled on the question
he would like TO look M several rnt
Ings heretofore made by Judge Bar
ham on such questions. The court
granted the request and the noint will;
he argued this morning Witchewah
will be recalled to sthe stand when
court convenes Today.
May Know Fate Today.
Witchewah may know his fate this
evening. The commonwealth rested
its case few minutest before noon
Yesterday. Five Witnesses, including
The accused We're paced on the stand
by the defense Yesterday and the re-
naming two will be heard this morr-
ing. The commonwealth then will
mt on several Witnesses in rebuttal.
Il is expected now that the argument
In the case will begin early this after
noon and that the case will he given
to the Jury this evening. although this
cannot be done II much time Is coz
sumed by argument ever i:'ssfacssnns
II was 2:55 O'Clock yesterday. after
moon when Witchewah was called u