The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-07-21
SAW ADAMS HIT
SUTTON, BEVAN
SAYS ON STAND
Lieutenant Utley and Sergeant
Adams We're Holding Young
Officer Down..
"SON FIRST BEATEN TO
DEATH" SAYS MOTHER
Mrs. Sutton Asserts That Shot
Was Afterwards Fired to
Conceal Crime.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. July 21.-Lleu-
tenant William F. Bevan. of the Marine
Corps. resumed his testimony today
when the court of inquiry continued
the investigation into the death OF
Lieutenant James y. sutton. of Port
land, Ore, who was shot and killed on
the marine barracks grounds on the
night of October L. 1907. Henry e.
Davis, counsel for Mrs. James Sutton.
the dead lieutenant's mother, said he
would subject Lieutenant Bevan to a
lengthy cross-examination.
Lieutenant Bevans testified that he
did not recall ever hearing Sutton
threaten TO take the life of anyone In
camp. He related the occasion of SUIT
toms shooting up amp as told preyi-
ously by Adams and Osterman.
Bevan's graphic story yesterday of
the incidents leading up to Sutton's
death varied in many essential points
from the testimony of L~ieutenants
Adams and Osterman, all of whom
were present and testified they saw
Sutton kill himself. According to
Bevan there were three men, either sit
ting upon or holding young Sutton
down when he freed an arm and shot
himself. Sutton's mother, in view of
this part of Bevan's testimony. last
night again expressed her belief that
her son was beaten to death in the
quarrel with the officers, and the bull
let wound in his head afterward in
ficted.
MY son was beaten to death and a
bullet was fired into his head after he
was dead to conceal the crime" she
said.
Major Henry Leonard, who is con-
Quoting the inquiry for the Govern
ment, had a long conference last night
In Carvel Hall with Mrs. sutton and
her daughter, Mrs. Hugh Parker. 1t
was said afterward that the conference
might lead to an unexpected turn in
the investigation. Nothing has been
heard here by the naval authorities OF
Lieutenant Edward P. Rocker, the
much-wanted witness, although it was
reported yesterday that he had been
found.
1t is not thought likely that Miss
Margaret Stewart, of Pittsburg, the girl
who spent the evening with Lieutenant
Sutton before his death, will be called
az a witness. Lawyer Davis said to-
day he had not heard from Miss Stew
arts father. who went to Canada to
see her, to endeavor to persuade her
TO return here to testify.
Lieutenant Bevans told of a CONVEX
sation with Sutton about six weeks
prior to his death, in which Sutton said
the life In the navy did not attract him
and that some day h would shoot him
self.
What led up to the conversation
asked Mr.. Birney.
1T was merely a conversation In
which Sutton spoke of his experiences
at the academy and his examinations"
said Bevans.
Counsel for Sutton's mother began his
cross-examination of the witness. Mr..
Davis took the witness back to the
happenings in camp prior to the fight
and then to the fight. in which Sutton
lost his life. According to the sum of
Lieutenant Bevans's testimony the
members of the group he saw about
Sutton were Lieutenants Utley, Adams,
Willing and Sergeant Dehart.
DO you recall that Utley or Dehart
said anything to you why they were
holding Sutton down."
mo, | don't recall anything said.
They had been running some distance
and were out of breath. We were all
In the same condition.
II ordered Lieutenant Adams to de-
sist from hitting sutton, which he did
Immediately and stood back" added the
witness