Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-22
PLEA, SELF DEFENSE
Thomas R. Griffith Tells Why
He Killed G. B. Gascoigne.
EXPLAINS AT THE INQUEST
Verdict Holds Defendant for Action
of Grand Jury.
THREE SHOTS, FOUR WOUNDS
Witnesses Give Details of Tragedy
at SIT 18th Street Southwest
Yesterday Morning.
EXPLAINS AT THE INQUEST
THREE SHOTS, FOUR WOUNDS

the death of George B. Gasoigne by
shooting him while in house 517 18th
street southwest yesterday morning. was
ordered held as the result OF an inquest
in the afternoon to await the action OF
the grand jury. Griffith was photo,
graphed and committed to JAIL
1t was testified at the inquest that
Gas"oigne received four distinct wounds
although witnesses declared that only
three shots were fired. The prisoner
made a statement in his own behalf. al
though Coroner hewitt advised him such
was not necessary.
Il have nothing to conceal and I want
to make a statement" Griffith explained.
Assistant United States Attorney Perry
represented the government, the defend
ant being without counsel.
Policeman Tells of Arrest.
Policeman John D. Ais, who arrested
Griffith was the first witness. He testi-
fled that he proceeded. with other police
men. to the 18th street house yesterday
morning about 7:4O o'clock, and found
the body of Gascoigne on the floor in the
dining room Griffith. he stated. was near
the foot of the steps. The policeman
learned that Griffith had done the Shoot
ing and placed him In arrest He re-
called having heard the prisoner tell
Sergt. kaudier that he was forced to
shoot: that he fired in self-defense.
Robert Monroe. resident Of Virginia,
who has been living at Mrs. Brandon
burg's boarding house. where the tragedy
he was in his room on the second moor
yesterday morning He was not wide
awake when he heard the three shots
fired.
Did YOU hear any conversation be-
tween the men before the shooting?" the
coroner asked.
mo. sir" he answered.
Ibid you go out into the hall after the
shots were fired?'
Il did not.
"Why?"
II had been sick and was too weak
Griffith. the witness stated, came to his
room after the shots were fired and said
he had shot Gascoigne.
did he appear as If he had been drink
ing?'
mo sir. but think he was drinking
little the day BEFORE.
Mrs Mary J. Brandenburg who con-
ducts the boarding house, testified that
she had known Griffith the past eight or
ten wears. but had known Gascoigne only
about two years.
Did you witness the shooting?" witness
was asked.
mo. sir" she responded, but 1 heard
three shots.
Heard Threat Against Griffith.
Witness volunteered the statement that
she had heard Gascoigne threaten Crit
fiths life. When she entered the house.
she stated. Gascoigne was alive. He was
lying on his face and appeared to be MAJ
ing an effort to turn so as to lie on his
back Mrs. Brandenburg said her daugn-
ter-in-law turned the wounded man over
and witness bathed his face. She had the
police notified and then went to telephone
to her husband.
What did Griffith say?'
He said he was forced TO do the shoot
ing"
Witness said she left Griffith in the
room with Gascoigne when she went to
the telephone, and he was there when
she returned. Gascogne was dead when
she returned to the house.
Were any shots fired on the lower
fioor?'' the assistant United States attor-
ney asked.
No. sir" she answered. They were
AL fired in Mr.. Griffiths room on the sec
ond floor
Stella Brandenburg. daughter-in-law of
the preceding witness. testified that she
heard noise in her mother-in-law's
house from her own home and went to
ascertain what was the matter She
heard Gascoigne say "Oh. my, twice.
Her mother-in-law told her that Griffith
fifth said he was willing to do anything
he could. and suggested that he would go
and surrender to the police, but she asked
him to remain.
"Three Awful Noises"
Ethel Margaret Thompson of 515 nth
street testified that she was about 10
eat her breakfast yesterday morning
when she heard three awful noises"
She thought Stella Branderburg had
made the noises. and Stella, who was on
tnc lower floor. thought she was the
cause. Witness told of having gone to
the house in which the shooting had oc
CURED and related the conversation she
had with Griffith. The substance of the
conversation was his declaration that
he had fired in SelfdefenSe
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook gave the
result of the autopsy. He said there
We're four distinct bullet wounds. The
first shot inflicted slight wound on the
left ear and left powder marks, being
the only shot that was fired directly
from the front. Another bullet entered
the thick part of the back of the neck
and passed out at the front. There was
d third bullet wound in the right elbow,
while the fourth was through both lungs.
the bullet severing big broad tissue
near the heart. DR.. Glazebrook expressed
surprise that GascoiSne had lived long
enough to get down stairs.
Lieut.. Flather and Policeman Rollins
told of the part they took in the investi-
CATION and of having recovered the re-
volver from the trunk in the defendants
room.
Defendant Makes Statement.
The defendant explained that Gascoigne
entered his room yesterday morning. used
an oath and declared he was going to
kill Griffith. He said he had been in an
other room to see Robert Monroe. re-
turned to his room and was looking for
sheet of note paper in his trunk when
Gascoisne appeared.
Il pushed him back the prisoner said
picked up the revolver and fired. He
started down the stairs and shot at him
| as long as it would fire"
| He was asked II he fired any shot after
| he left his room and he said he did not :
| that he was standing in his own room
| when he fired all three shots.
| when Gascoigne ran away" the pros
ecuting attorney inquired, why did you
| not shut the door,
| Il could have done it," responded the
defendant but I didn't. He had threat
ened my life and ] thought he was going
| to do what he said
| No further testimony was heard.
/