Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-04-29
Attorney Young Outlines Defense and
Prosecution Puts IN Proof
10 Establish Crime.
TESTIMONY FOR DEFENSE TO-DAY
Defendants Father Will Head Long
Array Of witnesses to Prove Insan-
ity Of Accused-State's Witnesses
Repeat Details Of Tragedy-Thorn-
ton Hams Given Guard Protection.
(By Associated Prcss.)


FLUSHING, n. Y, April 2S.-Gen-
eral Peter c. Hams, the defendant S
father, will be the first witness cali
ed tomorrow morning as the defense
for Captain Peter c. Hams. Jr.. be-
gins its attempt to establish the in
sanity of the Young army officer who
shot and killed William E. Annis at
the Haysde Yacht Club last August.
Tho trial moved today with marked
dispatch, and when court adjourned
former District Attorney Eugene ~
Young had completed his G.ening ad-
dress. wildly outlining the defense to
the jury. while in the five hours irre-
vious the prosecution put in its case
- establish proof of the crime.
General Hams will be followed by
Major Hams. the captains brother.
and then by some thirty witnesses.
all of within VIII testify concerning
Captain Hams irrational acts follow
ing the revelation of his wife's alleged
infidelity and her association with
Annis.
Thornton Hams Threatened.
Thornton J. Hams. the defendant s
brother, who was tried and acquitted
of completely in the shooting of An
MS. is expected to be in court tomor-
row. Because OF anonymous threats
against his life, counsel has asked
for police body guard for him and
the court probably will delegate a
special officer to sit near him. Thorn
ton Hams will be an int .Ortant wit
ness for the defense.
The question of appointing a lunacy
cOmmissiin to inquire into the defend.
ants present mental condition was not
approached at any time during the
proceedings today.
Prisoner Bears Up Well.
Captain Hams showed little emo
ton during his cOunsel's vivid nara
ton of his life and marital troubles.
But one time he bowed his head in
his arms on the counsel table where
h. sat as Mr.. Young spoke OF the
captains three small children. For
brief moment he appeared to real
ize his grief
Turing the day the State called
seven witnesses. most Of whom were
eye witnesses to the tragedy, to es-
tablish its case. Former District At
torney Gregg referred to the shoot
ing as a cold blooded and premedi-
tated crime
Charles H. Roberts. Of Flushing, a
member Of the Bayside Yacht Club.
was one OF the witnesses for the
State. The witness was on the float
at the yacht club at the time Annis
was shot, and helped lift him out OF
the water after he fell overheard.
SIayer's Own Business.
After the shooting Captain Hams
had turned to his brother, Thornton
the witness declared. and said: Keep
still; this is my business"
Roberts was shown a heavy maya
zine revolver and identified II as the
one he found on the float after the
shooting.
The defense admitted it was the
captains revolver
After you were attracted BY the
first shot, did you hear the captain
exclaim: .AnBis. YOU have debauched
my wife and taken my children from
ne" Mr.. Mcintyre asked on cross
examination.
The witness replied that he did not
Roberts said after the shooting Cap.
tain Hams tlaced a cigarette In his
mouth and paced rapidly up and down
the foot