The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-07-27
INQUIRY IS
ADJOURNED
AbsenceAbroad ofLieut.
UtIey Delays Sutton
Investigation

Annapolis July 27.-Thc sutton In
quiry was adpourncd today Indefinite
ly This action was taken on ruling
OF the court that Mrs. Sutton was
complainant in the case. and all the
oficors concerned In the affair were
made party defendants. The hearing
Will not be resumed until Lieut. Ut
ley another party defendant, returns
from abroad.
Major Leonard, the Judge advocate,
read Mrs. Sutton's letter TO the navy
department asking for rc-opening
OF the Investigation of her cons death.
He requested that Mrs. Sutton now
be considered a complainant in the
case and not mere party TO the In
quiry. and that all the officers involy-
ed in the affair he allowed 10 be pres
ent in court, and be permitted TO
crosS-eXamine Mrs Sutton and any
witnesses produced by the Suttons.
Mr. Davis said his client was not
directing an accusation against any
one person, but that he welcomed rep
resentation by counsel OF any one OF
the parties involved.
II ask this board TO present author
ture of these proceedings Mr.. Davis
requested.
A long argument between Mr Davis
and the judge advocate ensued.
Major Leonard said he had. up 10
this point. avoided making any com
plainani or party defendant TO the in
Qulry, but if there were any doubt in
the courts mind as to the position in
which the admission OF Mrs. Sutton S
letter In evidence placed the officers
concerned in the affair, he would pre-
sent further evidence 10 that effect
Mr., Davis said he did not appear TO
shirk any responsibility in the matter.
but insisted that Mrs. Sutton was not
a complainant against any particular
person and was simply the moving
party.
The court rules that all the officers
concerned were entitled to representa-
ton at the inquiry, and Major Leon
ard called Lleutenants Raven, Oster-
man. Willing and Adams and Sergeant
De Hart into the court room
Mr. Davis thereon asked for an ad
journment until he could clearly de-
fine his position In the case.
This new alignment. subjected by
the judge advocate. places me in an
entirely new relation to the case, said
Mr.. Davis. Il am not here as a prose
cutor. but to assist I'm conducting a
full and impartial investigation into
the facts. and the present situation
appears TO force me b. decide between
Withdrawing from the case or pro-
cecding from this point In an entirely
different capacity"
Mr.. Davis accused the Judge adyo.
cate OF lachcS in the proceedings. by
not introducing Mrs. Suttons letter In
evidence at the start and fully defn.
ing the nature of the inquiry at that
time. Major Leonard said he had no
other intention from the inception OF
the inquiry, then TO declare his pres
eAt attitude, but had deferred IL simp-
ly to afford the introduction of all
the impartial and unbiased evidence
that could be obtained,
Commander Hood notified the Off
GERS called i'm that they were parties
defendant to the inquire and decided
to adjourn court until Lieut.. Utley and
Surgeon Cook returned,
Annapolis. July 27.-When the board
of inquiry resumed It's investigation
today into the death of Lieut. James
n. Sutton. of the marine corps, the
announcement that Mrs Rose Sutton
Parker. Lieutenant Sutton's sister
would testify brought the largest
crowd to the auditorium of any day
since the inquiry There were three
women TO each man among the spec
tatorS.
In response to a request by Mr.. Bir-
ney Lieut. Adams counsel, that coun-
sci for Mrs. Sutton stipulate more
clearly in regard to his final argu-
ment in the case. Attorney Davis said
he had entered the inquiry with an
entirely open mind. and he did not
intend to point the finger of suspic-
ion against any particular officer, but
he would not hesitate In saving he
might offer certain specific recommen-
dations to the court, in regard to
persons concerned in the inquiry In
his summing up.
Mrs Sutton, mother OF Lieutenant
Sutton, was sworn as a witness.