The Washington times., 1908-06-08
HOLMES ON .i!AL
FOR WOMAN'S MURDER
Looks Cheerful and Shows
Great Interest in Selec-
ton of a Jury.

Charged with murder in the first de-
gree, ''Ducky" Holmes. otherwise
known as Henry L. S. Sehrifogle, was
placed on trial this morning in Grim
! inal Court, Justice Barnard presiding
tor having shot and killed Mary T.
Hamilton last November.
Mrs. Mary Z. Grove. mother Of the
dead girl and the strongest witness for
the Government. was put upon the
stand little before noon. During the
trial the aged woman displayed deep
emotion and at the close OF her testi-
moIy she collapsed, weeping and cry
ing Historically.
Girls Mother Test fies.
Her testimony covering the interview
between her daughter and Holmes di-
rectIy before the shooting as probably
The Governments strongest card. She
declared that after a sight alteration
Holmes whipped out a gun. and, cover
ing the girl, swore that she had "hirted
for the last time"
Three shots rang out" she said,
and saw my little daughter reel and
ran 10 the ground ] rushed TO where
she was, al the same time crying 10
Holmes, 'Ducky, you've killed her He
s;dQ nothing but fed from the house"
me defense attempted 10 show by her
testimony that the girl had attempted
10 assault Holmes with a butcher knife
While the alteration was at its height
This Mrs. Grove absolutely denied aud
long and Intricate C. oss-eXaminati0u
by Mr.. Easby-Smith failed TO shake
her statements materially.
During the whole OF the mothers
testimony Holmes sat with his head on
his chest, never once raising his ewes
10 Jhe witness During her description
Of the killing Mrs. Grove fixed her
eyes directly upon the defendant with
an SE preston OF concentrated hatred
The jury was secured after regular
and special panel had been almost OK
hausted. Assistant District Attorney
turner made the opening statement for
the Government. The defense reserved /
the right TO make an opening statement |
later.
Holmes, surrounded by his counsel. /
J. 5. Easby-Smith and Robert J.. Hill /
lard, was atJired In a light brown suit I
lie gave material assistance 10 his /
lawyers in the selection of the jurors. I
he took an unusual interest in the I
proceedings. and appeared 10 be conf /
dent that the case would result sails
factorily TO himself.
Each side was given twenty peremp-
h1d used six, the jury box was filled /
Win panel suitable 70 both.
The Jury.
The jurymen Who have been selected /
to try the case are as follows: Louis I
81 Westminster street: Her /
bert Crapsttr. 1870 Massachusetts, ave
nue.; Elias Hutohins, 81 Seventh street,
southwest, William c Bowling. SO New /
York avenue; William Smith. 2Il First /
street; Henry Bradshaw. sol c street /
D n Woodward, g2l /
Eleventh street; Henry Z. BIttenger, sal
3 street southwest: James T. Brashears.
1913 Minnesota avenue; Joseph A. Lynn,
80 Mclean avenue southwest; Ellis
worth Chappell, Chesapeake street. aud 1
Mlchael B. Scanlon, 40S Ninth street.
The Cefense, il is understood, will en-
deavOr % obtain Holmes acquittal on
the pleas Of self-defense and insanity.
MT turner, IN outlining the case. stat
Cd tina he would prove that this was a
case Of qremeditated murder. that the
qeTendant had been in the society Of I
mrs. Hamilton Constantly, although She
was a married woman, and that on sew
eral occasions preceding the murder 4
Holmes had threatened 70 fix This girl "
Mr. Turner says he expects 10 show
that quarrel ensued in the Hamilton
house on the night Of the murder. and
count of Jealousy
The defense then reserved the right
TO open its side Of the case and the
Government began taking testimony.
the causes lcdlAlE 10 me GaieE4N
murder, II is stated. began when (
Holmes met Mrs. Hamilton in the I
downtown section of the city in com
lany with another man. Ha made her
90 home with him, and when they with I
Mrs Amy Grove. Mrs Hamilton's
mother. were seated in the paTl0r Of
he house al 1923 Duncan street north
EAST. a quarrel occurred which ended
u Mrs. Hamilton being shot Holmes,
( IS stated, made his escape. bur sew
y
3urney, Nd.
DR.. Robert NJ. Baker, formerly acting
-orcner. and Fred Sanbery were the
irst witnesses for the Government.
Thev testified as TO the condition OBJ
aiming in the house. where the muir
Tered girl Law and Of the manner IN
which the wounds were inflicted.