The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-12-22
In Dramatic Climax She Pic
lures Killing by Capt. P.
c. Hams, Jr.
ROBERTS ALSO
TELLS OF SHOOTING
Defendant Loses His Non
cholant Bearing and APP
pears Detected and Worn
After States Evidence Is
Admitted-Bad Day For
the Defense.
BY Associated Press.

Flushing, n. Y, Dec. 21.-The trial
of Thornton Hams reached a climax
in dramatic intensity today when Mrs.
Helen E. Annis, widow of the slain ed
itor, in a deliberate recital lasting
nearly three hours. pictured the kill
ing of her husband by Capt. P. c.
Hams, Jr. 1t was hard day for the
defense and counsel for Hiatus was ex-
hausted from the ardaous cross exam
ination of the states Witnesses in an
effort to shake their testimony.
Thornton Hams lost much of that
easy nonchalance which has charac-
teriZed his manner in previous ses-
sions. This evening the prisoner ap-,
peared detected and careworn.
Mrs. AnnfS testified that when her
husbands boat came up Thornton
Hams beckoned to his brother and led
the way down the runway. The shoot
ing followed in few moments. Mrs.
Annis said she ran down the runway.
and Thornton Hams pointed his re-
volver at her Il turned to go back
and he pressed his weapon against
my back, saying:
:. You get out of here, or you will
get the same"
The Case Called.
Flushing, N Y Dec 21--After a
two days adjournment the trial of
Thornton ]. Hams. charged as a prin-
eipal with his brother. Captain Peter
c. Hams, Jr., in the killing of William
z. Annis, was resumed today before
Justice Crane. Tt is not unlikely that
the week viii be taken up in the pros
.scntion.--.1 Z s-,e.->-. : >
The prosecution plans 20 call Mrs.
Annis and through her testimony the
state expects to prove not only that
Thornton Hams drew his revolver
when his brother first opened fire and
by so doing prevented anyone from
saving Annis's life, but that the
brothers went to the Bayside Yacht
club in search of Annis. Mrs. Annis
was in the stage going - the club
when the Hams brothers drove by,
and it is said that when the brothers
saw Mrs. Annis, a remark of We've
got him now" was overheard by the
wife of the publisher.
Sensation in Court.
A sensation was caused II court to-
day when it became known that Dis
trict Attorney Darrin, anseTcd at the
comments made on his conduct of the
case, prepared to withdraw from the
trial and tender his resignation from
Office last Saturday. Mr.. DarTin said:
Il wanted TO withdraw sumnarily
from the case because OF comments
made by the court press and public on
The way l have handled this case, but
have been persuaded 10 keep the
prosecution and not resign from office
as Intended"
chas. n. Roberts on Stand.
When the trial opened Today. Chas.
Fl. Roberts, member of the Bayside
Yacht club, took the stand. He said
he went to the club with Mrs. Annis
in the stage in the afternoon of Aug
ust Is. Mr.. Roberts said he saw the
defendant and his brother. Captain
Bains, at the club together with the
club members who were on the dock
ard float when AnniE was killed
Mr.. Roberts said:
MIR. Funke and the two Andrews
were in their boats at the float when
the shooting took place. I did not see
the Hams brothers before the first
shot was fired.
II was standing near the gangway
when / observed AnniS's and Hills
boats were coming alongside the dock
When / heard a shot and Mrs. Annis
scream Look out, Will!
Il started across the float toward
Captain Hams. who was in crouch
ing position. 1t was then that Thorn
ton Hams stepped in between us and
pointing a revolver in my face said:
Keep off, Keep OF, or ! will kill
you'''
Mr. Roberts said that Captain Hams
was about three feet from Ahnis
Il stopped when Hams Eointed the
sun in my face and saw Apnis stag
ger and fall itno the wate-. / pulled
HIM out of the water Annis was plac-
cd on the float. The defendaat was six
or seven feet away. After the first
shot l started across the dock and the
pistol was then pointed in my face
and it was held there until the firing
was over"
After the shooting the Hams broth
ers moved over TO the other side of
the float. said Roberts, and TIE de-
PENDANT lit cigarette and the captain
lighted pipe. Captain Hams opened
q card case and handed out a card.
Roberts said:
Il said TO Captain Hams: The
army must be proud of officers like
YOU The defendant said oe wanted
TO explain and told aim I did not
want any explanations ! told Thorn
ton Hams:
You are as guilty as your brother.
You prevented ms from stepping the