Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-02
TOLD BY THE POLICE
Story of the Shooting of Capt.
Mathews.
C0LLIER'S TRIAL OPENED
Government Case Presented by As
sistant Attorney Turner.
FIVE WITNESSES EXAMINED
Surmised That the Plea of Self-De-
fense Will Be Set Forth in
Golfers Behalf.
FIVE WITNESSES EXAMINED

Rapid progress was made in Criminal
Court No 1 this morning with the case of
John W. Collier, the former policeman,
who killed Police Capt Mathews of the
fifth precinct March ) last. The jury was
completed. five witnesses were examined
and certain circumstances surrounding
the death of Capt. Mathews were estab-
lished
With the exception of DR.. Larkin W.
Glazebrook, the deputy coroner all the
witnesses were employees of the police de-
partment.
1t was shown that Collier was alone
with Mathews in the latters room at the
fifth precinct station when the shooting
occurred, that he fired several bullets
into his chief and that he admitted the
killing.
An linking of the probable line of de-
fense by Golfers attorneys came with the
questioning of DR.. Gazebrook as to the
nature of the wounds in Mathews hand.
DR.. Glazebrook said that he was at first
puzzled because there were three wounds
in the hand, but when he doubled up
wounds could have been made by one bull
let.
1t is thought the defense will maintain
that Mathews was about to strike Collier
and that the latter shot in self-defense.
The prosecution, ii is understood, will
argue that Mathews hand was closed to
hold a written complaint, which witnesses
testified had been handed him shortly be-
fore Collier entered Mathews room. AS
sistant United States Attorney Turner
told the court that the government would
ask q verdict Of murder in the first de-
gree.
Throughout the proceedings Collier
maintained all attitude almost amounting
to Indifference. He followed the testi-
mony of his former associates closely, but
gave no Indication that it interested him
any more than II did the average spec
tator in the courtroom. With him sat his
mother and sister.
Beyond the fact that Collier shot his
captain there was nothing brought out
today to show premeditation or special
preparation. Collier was in uniform at
the time and his revolver was part of his
equipment.
The Jury Completed.
In fifteen minutes after the court con-
vened this morning the jury was COM
pleted by the selection of S. Sprigg Belt
a retired real estate dealer, VINO was the
first talesman to qualify this morning
Five were previously examined, but three
had conscientious scruples against CAPITA
punishment and two had formed opin-
ions which would influence them in the
jury box.
The jurors sworn to decide the guilt
or innocence Of the accused are Harry L.
Slater. William F. Buckingham, Albert
b. Lyon, Harry Beck, James Alder,
Morgan Wilson, S. Sprigg Belt, Andrew
Tallmadge, John A. Luttrell, David P.
Knowles, William H. Smoot and Robert
c. Rice.
Statement by Prosecution.
Assistant United States Attorney Turner
made the opening statement to the jury.
after reading the indictment which charges
murder in the first degree. Mr.. Turner
told the jury that Mathews was cap
tain of police In charge of the fifth pre-
cinct last March: on March 8 Collier fail
ed to report for reserve duty and Math-
eWs had him sought for and told that he
was wanted to perform reserve duty.
On the day of the homicide, Mr.. Turner
said. 1t was Golfers duty to report, but
he did not He was reached by telephone
and told by the desk sergeant that he
should report at the station When Col
lier arrived there Capt. Mathews was in
his private Office seated at desk in con-
versation with Officers CuIlinane & Mo-
ran.
As they left the captain began to read
a complaint handed him by one of the
officers.
Collier. Mr.. Turner said looked into
Mathews room, saw he was engaged
and passed to the letter box where he
n aimed hfR mail Nhar bo
came out Of the captains office Collicr
entered. Cullinane, who came out first
took a seat in the main room. He saw
Moran come out of the captains room
and Collier go in. Moran had taken
only about twenty steps, said Mr.. Tur-
ner. after Collier went into the cap
tain's room when shots were heard.
The Shooting Described.
The first shot was muff1ed. caused, Mr.
Turner suggested by a defective car
fridge. The second shot was followed by
an outcry from the victim. Three more
shots were fired, but by that time, he
stated. Lieut.. Sprinkle and Officers Mo-
ran and Cullinane had rushed into the
room and saw Collier standing over the
PROSTATE form Of his captain. swapping
the pistol.
When Collier had been arrested said
Mr.. Turner. he was asked why he had
Snot MS superior Ofncer He answered,
Mr.. Turner declared: Yes. ! shot the
captain. / don't care to talk am
sane and not drunk. 1 will later tell
my reasons
Mr.. Turner told the jury that the gov
ernment would ask for first-degree YER
dict. He said the chair occupied by the
captain was perforated by a bullet. whicn
was found imbedded In the wall behind
the chair and In line with the perforation
- said that tended to show that Collier
had stood over the captain while the lat
ter was seated in the chair and had fired.
Witness Identifies Photos.
The first witness examined was Mark j.
| Hale, draughtsman in the Office of the
District surveyor. who identified ground
plan drawing OF the fifth precinct station.
Fred Sandberg. photographer of the po-
lice department. identified a photograph
OF the captains room taken the day of
the tragedy.
Deputy Coroner l.. w. GlaZebrook. who
| performed the autopsy on the body of
| Capt. Mathews. next testified He de-
clared the cause of death was gunshot
| wounds. One passed through the brain,
| he said, and came out behind the ear.
| Evidences of powder burns were seen
about this wound. he said. Another bull
let entered the head below the left ear.