The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-19
Surprising Strength of the
Prosecutions Calls for
Heroic Rebuttal.
WITNESSES NAMES
ARE KEPT SECRET
May Plead That Robin Cooper Shot
CarmaCk, Believing Father
to Be in Danger.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Feb. 19.-COn-
Tronted with a case which apparently
calls for heroic efforts 70 contravert IN
the minds Of the jurors. the defense in
the case Of Col. Duncan Cooper, Robin
Cooper, and John 3. Sharp, charged
with the murder of former Senator
Edward w. CarmaCk, is al its wits end
and today took advantage of the in
term Of n day in the proceedings TO
rehearse its witnesses and prepare TO
meet the surprisingly new features
with which the prosecution assailed the
defendants during the late hours OF
yesterdays session.
Even as late as today the defense
stilI keeps secret the names of its
witnesses, but Let it be known that its
testimony Will probably occupy week.
II will make public its explanation of
the tragedy only when the three de-
PENDANTS themselves take the stand.
State Finished Early.
The State finished it's testimony much
sooner than was expected, the work be
ing expedited by the defense deferrinE
cross-examinatiOn Of some OF the prin-
cipaI witnesses until later. In all,
1wenty-nine witnesses were examined.
Less than half this number Will be
used in rebutal, but the impression
seems to prevail that the State has
made out q surprisingly strong case
The most startling move of the prose-
CutiOn was when it went into the Of
flee OF j. g Bradford. uncle OF ROBIN
Cooper, and produced q witness TO
swear that animus existed with the
COOpeTs against Carmack. that their
references to the former Senator, were
emphasized with OathS and epithets.
This witness was Miss Lee, the stenoG-
rapherr q proteSe of Mrs. Bradford.
wife OF one of the counsel for the de-
tense, who SwOre that she heard Col
onel Cooper. in his sons office. curse
CaTmaCk, and also told Of Colonel
Cooper calling Bradford over the tele-
phone to tell him of the killing.
Threats Of Cooper
Even from the home If Mrs. Lucius
Burch. daughter Of Colonel Cooper the
State drew a witness-Miss DOME Brax-
ton, a domestic. who swOre that. IN re-
ply 10 a question from the daughter
Colonel cooper had replied:
He is as liable to be killed as l.
Step by step the prosecution has shown
the movements OF the Coopers on the
day of the murder, the intense hatred
which they held for Carmack, the
threats OF Colonel Cooper against his
enemy. and the frequent declarations OF
Colonel Cooper that "Carmack ought tC
have been killed and in hell long ago"
Beyond a doubt the plea or self
defense viii be depended upon to save
the three defendants The finding of the
pistol shield in Carmack'S OVerCoat
after the pockets had been examine
by the undertaken, developed a poin
about which the attempt 20 establish
self-defense win be fought.
Defended Father.
The best summary today OF the de
tense anticipated is that an attempt vii
be made 20 show that Robin Cooper, be
lieving mis- father in danger. began firms
as soon as Carmack made an attemp
10 draw his pistol: that the shots wer,
fired in defense Of his father; and j,
was. therefore. jUstidable
AS for Sharp, an endeavor will Dt
made 70 show that ne had no connection
with the tragedy.