The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-18
BY HIS OWN HAND
Whether Intentionally or Not
Lieutenant Sutton Died.
That Is Verdict of the Naval
Court of Inquiry.
ALL HELD BLAMELESS
Other Officers Are Scored for
Neglect of Duty.
finding Says Charges of Murder
ALL HELD BLAMELESS
finding Says Charges of Murder
Are Without Foundation.

| Washington, Aug. 1S-"'Lieuterana
| Sutton is directly and solely RESPONSE
| hle for his own death. which was self
inflicted either Intentionally or in an
effort TO shoot one of the persons re-
straining him and his death was not
caused by any other injury whatever.
| This IS the verdict of the navy court
OF inquiry which for some weeks has
had under investigation the cause of
the death at Annapolis naval academy
IL. October, 1907, of Second Lieutenant
james N. Sutton of the United States
marine corps, which verdict has been
approved by the judge advocate general
of the I,avy and by Beekman Winthrop,
as sistant and acting secretary OF the
navy. The court also finds:
THAT Lieutenant Utley failed i'll his
duty as seBior officer present under ar
ticle 266 Z. S. N. regulations, 1909, IN
De Knitting Lieutenant Sutton to run
away and arm himself. instead of call
irg on those present for assistance and
following Lieutenant sutton prevent
ing mis- arming himself. by force if rec
cssary and turning him over to the
custody OF the officer of the day
THAT Lieutenant Revan, officer of
the guard failed in his duty as officer
of the guard IN rot disarming Lieuten-
ant Sutton by force, While in front of
lis, Suttor'S tent.
GER of the day. failed in his duty as
officer of the day in not Immediately
as sisting by force in helping to dis
arm Lieutenant Sutton when he arrlV-
eG on The scene before the fatal shot
w&s fired.
Charges Unfounded.
'',That the charges of .wilful murder
and conspiracy to conceal made by the
complainant, Mrs. Sutton, mother of
Lieut.. Sutton are purely imaginary and
L 1 supported by even shadow Oh evil
denCe. truth reason.
THE court recommends, however,
that in view of the youth and declded
nexpcrierce of Lieutenants Utley, VIII
ing and Bevan at the time and OF the
altogether unusual conditions of the eX-
threats and danger during |
tie aforementioned fray that no FUR
ther proceedings be taken;
The report is signed by j. Hooo'
commander Z. S. N, president OF the
board, and Henry Leonard. major U.
S. M c., judge advocate. Commander |
Hood also filed minority report III
which he says he concurs in the ma.
jority report and in addition he is OF
the opinion that Lieutenants Utley'
Adams, Osterman, Willing and Bevan
showed a deplorable lack of knowledge
of their duties and obligations as Of
ficers holding commissions In the ma
rine corps; and the testimony concern
ing the whole deplorable aftalr lndl-
cafes a state of discipline then exist
inc in the marine school of application
to the service, and argues
against the. practice OF com.
and putting in position OF
young men without
proper previous training.
Should Have Been Disciplined.
He is also of the opinion that Lieu
tenants Willing. BeVan and Gttey
should have been brought to trial for
neglect of duty, Lieutenants Adams
and Osterman should have received
miIder punishments for engaging in a
brawl unbecoming officers and gentle
men: and he concurs in the recon-
that no further proceedings
be taken at this time only because of
their youth and inexperience at that
time and because of their being in a
sense. the victims of a system for
which they themselves are not respon-
sible.
In approving the findings and rec
of the court the judge
advocate, Secretary Winthrop, says:
by it's concurrence in the opinion of
the court and of that expressed in the
report the department indi-
Gates it's thorough disapprova1 of the
lax state of discipline shown by the