Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-27
Another Story of Fight
Told by Private Kennedy

ANNAPOLIS. July a7.-Private Charles
W. Kennedy furnished the sensation of
the day before the board of inquiry that
Is endeavoring to clear up the mystery
attending the killing of Lieut.. James n.
Sutton.
His testimony was a revelation not only
to the court and the Judge advocate, but
to the attorneys representing the Sutton
side as well.
Points Made by Kennedy.
Kennedy under oath made these start
ling points:
First-At Sutton's request he held SUIT
tons cap. cape and blouse while Sutton
fought Adams in the first encounter.
Second-Adams was getting the worst
o. it when Private Kennedy called Lieut..
Ctley to take SuttonS clothes as kennedy
could not be late in relieving sentry at
the naval hospital on the hill above the
fighting ground.
Third-Sutton called him back after he
had given Utley the clothes.
Fourth-He looked back at Suttons call,
but found all four men fighting and went
his way 10 his post, which overlooked
the scene OF the first fight and the spot
on which Sutton subsequently received
his death wound.
Fifth-One reason for not obeying SUIT
ton was that all four officers seemed en-
gagged in fist fight and he could not
afford to be mixed up in it.
S.xth-He took a position after going on
hospital guard which commanded a view
both OF the officers tenting ground and
the parade ground on the edge Of which
the fatal shots were fired.
Seventh-Ha saw the flashes Of four
shots and heard some one cry, Are you
shot?'
Eighth-Before leaving the barracks he
saw Lieut. Roelker, the missing witness.
in civilian clothes, talking to Lieut. Revan
the officer of the guard, in the latters
office.
Ninth-On Sunday morning, lust as
guard mount was ending. he saw Lieut..
Gtley pick up the gun which it is alleged
Sergt. De Hart had thrown away the
night before and carry it into the marine
barracks He swore that it was a Colt
3s. Of blue steel. service gun.
Fund Of Information Surprises.
The Suttons had been tipped of that
Kennedy could furnish some valuable in
formation as to the movements of the
principals on the eventful night Sutton
met his death. They did not look for
the sensational revelations which reflect
ed on the veracty of the officers who tes-
titled as to the part they took in the
ARRAY that preceded the tragedy.
The judge advocate had provided him
self with a record o. the charges against
the evident object being to impeach his
testimony. There was nothing in any
OF these. however. that reflected on the
moral character of the young man. con-
sisting, as they did. almost wholly of
violations of the regulations. such as
ahsenting himself without leave and hav-
Ing liquor in his possession.
Sensational Testimony.
Kennedy testified that he witnessed the
first encounter Immediately after the Off,
GERS stepped out of the automobile: that
Adams and Sutton had q fight. and that
he was told to leave before the second
encounter took place. He corroborated
the testimony Of the chauffeur (Owens)
tina: Sutton was practically forced to
fight: that subsequently he heard the p.s-
tol shots. and that on the following morn
ing saw Lieut.. Ctley pick up the weapon
Sergt De Hart had thrown away and
was then advised by the lieutenant not to
divulge what he had seen.
His testimony throughout was damag-
ing to the officers, contradicting as 1t did
their evidence In many Of the details