Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-07-21
SUTTON
COMMITTED
SUICIDE
SENSATIONAL TESTIMONY
IN MARINE INQUIRY
Witness Tells of Reign of Terror
Started in Marine Camp by
Lieutenant Whose Death Is
Shrouded in Mystery.

Annapolis, Md, July 20.--The pro.
cccdings at todays session OF the
court of inquiry investigating the
Gtath Of Lieutenant James n Sutt 81,
of Portland, ore, took a sensational
turn when First Lieutenant William
F. BeVen OF the marine corps, now
attached to the battleship New Jer-
sey, testified He related his part in
the tragedy when young Sutton met
his death. Lieutenant Bevan was Of
ficer of the guard in the marine
camp on that night and one of the
first men to reach the scene of Sut-
tons death
Like Lieutenant Adams, he teSti-
fled that sutton deliberately shot
himself, but beyond that cardinal fact
his description of Suttons alleged
suicide varied in important details
from the story told by Adams, the
man who said he had participated in
a life and death struggle with Sut-
ton just before the latter shot him
self
The most glarmg disagreement with
Adams story came when BeVan
sWore that he and two other Officers
We're on top of sutton and trying to
hold him down to prevent him from
using his revolver when sutton freed
an arm from under him and fired a
bullet into his own brain after some
one remarked that he (Sutton) had
killed Lieutenant Rocker
BeVans testimony also revealed
that a situation bordering ON wild
west rampage had existed in the
marine camp prior to the shooting.
when sutton had been trying to make
Lieutenant Rocker dance by levcling
two reVolvers at his feet and after
ward rushed from the camp disre-
garding his arrest by the officer of
the guard, and shouting that he
would quit the marine corps for good
and all
Lieutenant Bevan made good inn
preston rs witness. and testified
without the least compunction or ner-
Lieutenants Adams, Osterman ana
Bevan. who were all in at the death.
so to speak, occupied the time of the
court today.
Lawyer Davis, Mrs. Sutton's coun-
sci, soon completed his cross-examin-
alton of Lieutenant Adams and then
Lieutenant Ostcrman testified
Osterman, as a member of Suttons
automobile party on the night or Oc-
Lober u, corroborated Lieutenant
Adams story. except to add that he
believed sutton was badly intoNicatcd
hat night.
Lieutenant Osterman, when called
o the stand, told of the first fights
!th Sutton by Adams and himself.
lear the marine camp ana later Of the
Incidents where the shots were fired
)sterman said the reason he aud his
ends refused to take "A drinK with |
sutton at Carycl han was because SUIT |
on was not wanted in the party
'He was unpopular with his class |
mates" the witness said. Osterman |
old OF an incident about q month |
'rior to Sutton's death, when sutton |
shot up the camp"
81 was awakened by the bullets |
through our tent" said the
witness. and. stepping out into the
amp street, saw Sutton standing in |
he door Of his tent firing a revol-
e."
Asked about the threat which the
Witness said sutton made that he
would kin them all before sunrise.
lieutenant Osterman said he believed |
I the time Sutton was likely to carry
ut the threats
/ |
rought out for the first time evil
ence in regard to the time between
he firing of the five shots
Lieutenant Osterman said the first
hrec shots were fired in rapid sue
cssion with pcrceptible interval be
ween the fourth and firth. The wit
ess said he could not say what SUIT
ms physical condition was after the
Ight with him.
ON cross examination Ostcrman said
hat at Carvel hall he saw Lieuten-
nj sutton and a Young woman. He
ould not recall. sitting at a table ana
tlkfng with Sutton. the woman and
Coleman. nor could he re-
lember whether. while he was there
dams had called him out
osterman insisted that no argu-
rent took place in the automobile
ntil Lieutenant Utley suggested that
ley had better get out and walk to
amp. Then Sutton said he would
ot get out. no matter what the 9TH
rs did, and turned to Adams. called Z
inn "a coward. and said he could
beat he'll out OF him" according to
~ witness. who added.
adams jumped ont and said that
sutton was going 10 do any beat
~. for him to start at once"
Osterman said hs Knocked sutton 4,
own at least three times in the fist a
ght on the way 20 the camp and az I
Il sutton got up add disappeared |
the darkness
Osterman. Adams and T'tiey re-
aimed there for few minutes dis I