The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Widow of William E. Annis Tells of the Shooting of
 Her Husband
WITNESS ALMOST PAINTS
 DURING HER TESTIMONY
Mrs. Anns Said That Thornton HaIns Beokoned to His Brother When
 He Saw Annis, and the
 Shooting Occurred.

Flushing. N. r, December H.-The trial of Thornton Jenkins Hains reached clibax of dramatic intensity today when Mrs Helene E. Anns. widow of Will liam E. Annis, in a deliberate recital last ing for nearly three hours. pictured the killing of her husband as he sat at the tiller of his boat by Capt. Peter c. Hains, Jr.
 Mrs. Annis nearly fsinted a few min utes before her examination was conclud- ed She dropped into her chair, but quickly recovered after drinking a glass of water and smelling a vial of salts. It was hard day for the defense and coun- sel for Hans was exhausted from the ard- ous examination which was direct ed toward the states witnesses in an effort to shake their testimony Thorn ton Hans lost much of the easy non chalance that has characterized his man. ner in previous sessions. When led from the court this evening by two deputies the prisoner appeared dejected and care worn
 An Impressive Figure.
 Garbed in black cloth suit and wear ing wide flaring hat that cast shadow over the upper part of her face Mrs. Annis made an impressive figure on the witness stand as she told in quiet tones her story of August 15 at the Bayside Yacht club Several new points of evi7 dence added dramatic interest to the trial. When Annis' boat came alongside the float. the widow testified. Thornton Fains beckoned to his brother and led the way down the runway. The shooting fol- lowed within a few minutes.
 Lawyer Mcintyre sought 10 discredit the 'beckoning'' episode which the state as serts proved that the author induced tho army captain to commit the crime and kept Mrs Annis on this point under cross examination for nearly half an hour. Hains counsel developed that Mrs. Annis had not told District Attorney Darrin that the defendant had beckoned to his brother until last week.
 'I ran down the runway and Thorn ton Hans pointed his revolver at me. [ turned to go back and he pressed the weapon against by back. saying, You get out of here or you will get the same' I raE up the runway then, looking back, and saw my husband fall into the river" So said Mrs. Annis in relating her story.
 Another important witness today was Charles H. Roberts, a Bayside Yacht club member
 Sensation In Court.
 A sensation was caused in court today when it became known that District Att torney Darrin, angered at the comments made on his conduct of the case, pre- pared to withdraw from the trial and tender his resignation from office last Saturday. Mr. Darrin said: T wanted to withdraw summarily from the case be- cause of the comments by the court. press and public on the way l have handled this case, but I have been persuaded to continue the prosecution and not resign from office as I intended.'
 When the trial opened today Charles II. Roberts, a member of the Baysde Yacht club, took the stand. He said he went to the club with Mrs. Annis on the stage on the afternoon of Au- gust Is. Mr. Roberts said he saw the defendant and his brother, Captain Hains, at the club together with the club members who were on the dock and float when Annis was killed.
 MT. Roberts said MT. Funke and the two Andrews were in their boats at the float when the shooting took place. I did not see the Hains brothers before the first shot was fired.
 q was standing near the gangway when I observed Annis' and Hill's boats coming toward the dock. The boats were coming alongside the dock when heard a shot and Mrs. Annis scream, Look out Will" I started across the float toward Captain Hains, who was in a crouching position. It was then that Thornton Hains stepped in between us and, pointing revolver In my face. sald
 Keep off. keep off, or I will kill you.'"
 MT. Roberts said that Captain Hains was about three feet from Annis.
 Stopped By Hans.
 'I stopped when Hains pointed the gun in my face and saw Annis stagger and fall into the water. I pulled him out of the water. Annis was placed on the float The defendant was six or seven feet away. After the first shot I started across the dock and the pistol was then pointed in my face and 1t was held there until the firing was over.
 After the shooting the Hains broth CTS moved over to the other side of the float" said Roberts, "and defendant lit a cigarette and the captain lighted a pipe. Captain Hains opened a card case and handed out a card,' Roberts said:
 q said to Captain Hains: The army must be proud of officers like you the defendant said he wanted to explain, and I told him l did not want any ex- plantations. I told Thornton Hains You are as guilty as your brother You prevented us from stopping the shooting and the defendant replied, what could I do? He is my brother"
 The witness said that Captain Hains took his brothers wrist as if feeling his pulse. ''There was a move on the float and Mir. Stephens said to the defendant that it should have been set tied with fists. and Hains said fit is