Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-27
Private Kennedy
Springs Surprise
AT SESSION OF THE SUTTON
BOARD OF INQUIRY.
TELLS STRAIGHTFORWARD STORY
Of Incidents Leading Up to Fight Be-
tween Sutton and Adsms-Hsd Been
Admonishsd to "Keep Quiet"

Annapolis Nd, July 26.-Today's
session of the board of inquiry at the
naval academy which is investigating
the circumstances surrounding the
death of Lieut.. James n. sutton of the
marine corps, who was mysteriously
shot two years ago, afforded some sur
prise at the testimony given by Charles
w. Kennedy now private in the
marine corps at Norfolk, Va, and Sur
geon A. d. Mccormick, U. s. n.
Like Bolt from Clear Sky.
Kennedy dropped into the situation
like a bolt from a clear sky and told
a frank, straightforward story of some
of the incidents prior to the shooting
which had not been mentioned by any
of the young officers who have already
testified Though an eye witness to
the earlier encounter between Sutton
and Lieutenant Adams on the night the
former was shot, Kennedy's name has
not been mentioned by the witnesses
concerned in the affair. His testimony
supported the contention of Sutton's
mother and sister that Sutton did not
seek the fights with Adams and the
other officers. In attacking his cred
ibility Major Leonard. the judge advo-
cate, went into the private's record and
showed he had been disciplined on sew
eral occasions in the service.
What Kennedy Saw.
Kennedy said he had been reluctant
to mention his part in the affair be-
cause Lieutenants Utley and Adams
his superiors. had both admcnished
him on the morning following the
shooting to keep quiet" On his way
to relieve the sentry on the morning
of the shooting he had come upon Sut-
ton, Adams, Osterman and Utley in an
angry argument, the witness said.
Adams was in his shirt sleeves, ready
for a fight, and Sutton had accosted
him, Kennedy, and asked him to hold
his blouse, cape and cap. 'All rign..
Adams. IL you want to fight, Pll fight
you,'' he heard Sutton say, the witness
testified. They fought hard for. a few
minutes, when Lieutenant Utley inter-
fered and stopped the fight, saving the
guard would be out If they did not
stop
A second time he saw Adams and
Sutton come together as beNwas going
away to his post. Kennedy said. Half
an hour later Kennedy heard the shots
from his post at the naval hospital and
soon after Adams appeared at the hos
pital and volunteered the information
to Kennedy that Sutton had shot him
self and that Adams had had his finger
shot off. Utley also told him at that
time that Sutton had killed himself.
the witness said.
Next morning they both cautioned
him not to say anything about the af-
rfafr While at early drill on the fol-
lowing morning the witness said he
saw Lieutenant Utley go to the edge
OF the parade grounds and pick up a
-38 caliber service revolver which Ut
ley carried into the barracks with him.
The incident had been observed by
other privates In the company. sne
witness said.
Testimony Unshaken.
Kennedy's testimony was not shaken
by the cross examination of Adams
counsel, Mr.. Birney, nor by that of
Major Leonard.
DIR. Mccormick was present at the
autopsy held on Sutton's body and ex-
amined the bullet wound, he testified
He located the wound back of and
slightly above the right ear, while Dr.
Pickrell testified it was near the top
of the head.
Several former witnesses were re-
called at the morning session today
and questioned by Mr. Davis. Mrs. Sut
toms counsel. as to whether any of
them had handed a revolver to Ser
geant De Hart on the night of the
shooting, as De Hart testified. They
all denied it.
Mrs. Sutton and Daughter to Testify.
There are no other navy witnesses on
hand and it is expected Mrs. Sutton
and her daughter will testify tomor-
row.
To substantiate Kennedys' testimony
Lawyers Davis and Van Dyke, Mrs.
Sutton, Mrs. Parker and several news
paper men went to the parade grounds
after adjournment and took the vari-
Gus positions from which the witness
said he saw and heard the fights. Law
yer Davis said afterward that their
case would rest principally on the tes-
timony of Kennedy and Mrs. Parker