Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-21
TELLS BOYISHLY
OF HOW FATHER
SHOT CARMACk
ROBIN COOPER PROVES AN IN
TERESTING WITNESS
JURY LISTENS RAPTLY TO DE-
TAILS OF TRAGEDY
FraiI Son of Southern Colonel Refers
to Slayer of Former Sem
ator as His
"Papa"
[By Associated Press.l

nj ASHVILLE, Tenn, Feb. 20.-This
v was the day of the defense in the
trial of Col. Duncan B. Cooper,
Robin ]. Cooper and John d. Sharpe,
charged with the murder of former
United States Senator Edward w. Car
mack.
Only one witness was eXamined-the
poyish defendant, Robin J. Cooper-and
he made an excellent witness.
The adjournment on Thursday only
seemed to whet the appetite of the pub
lie interested in the trial Of the Coopers,
and when the court opened today one
Of the largest crowds ever seen around
a Nashville court house awaited the
arrival of the deputies.
One reason was that it was rumored
Col. Cooper would be a witness An
other story had it that a mysterious
witness from Missouri, who saw the
shooting and who had been threatened
with death if ne testified, would appear
for the state.
The missing state witness not having
arrived, Judge Anderson at II o'clock
said: Robin Cooper, take the stand
A murmur Of surprise and expecta-
ton swept over the room. The court
raped for order sternly.
Some women arose to see him, and
then the deputies ordered them, to re-
move their hats.
Slender and Boyish
Robin Cooper is a; slender, boyish,
clean-cut looking young man. He gave
his age as q, his profession as a law
yet. He said he was a son of D. B.
Cooper and knew John Sharpe, the
other defendant.
In clear voice and with the refined
accent of the educated southern man,
Cooper gave a brief sketch of his life.
He said he lived with his uncle, James
Bradford, of counsel for the defense,
and practiced law in the latter's office.
He said he came to town Monday,
November with his uncle Mr.. Brad
ford, arriving at a. m.
Did you see your father that morn
ing?"
''He came to my office soon after he
arrived. He came into Mr.. Bradford S
private Office, where / was in con-
ference with Mr.. Davis"
From the moment her favorite BROTH
er began to talk Mrs. Burch leaned
forward in her chair, looking eagerly
into his eyes and seemed scarcely to
breathe as he talked. Col. Cooper,
seated next his youngest daughter,
Mrs. Wilson, sat back in his chair and
apparently took little interest in the
preliminary questions.
When his son referred to him as
papa" the colonel smiled and played
with his gray military mustache. The
jury betrayed much interest.
Was Afraid of Trouble
81 talked a while and someone called
me to chancery court. where I had a
case. Then papa told me he was
afraid he was going to have some
trouble with Mr.. Carmack."
81 object" said Attorney General
McCarn.
"It is self-serving conversation and
is incompetent"
"Any conversation heard by Miss Lee
is competent and anything else is not, "
said the court.
A sharp discussion followed and the
record was appealed to as to what
Miss Lee overheard the morning Of the
killing.
It disclosed that Miss Lee said she
heard some expression made by Col.
Cooper concerning Carmack having
no right to use my name and / have a
right to protect myself
Miss Lee repeated this statement and
said:
Papa said he believed Mr. Bradford
could help in the case and would see
him later in the day. In the meantime
he said:
If 1 could have an interview with
Mr. Carmack 1 believe 1 could settle
Lawyers Jump to Feet
The entire counsel was on their feet
and sharp argument followed as to
how far explanatory remarks could go.
The court held that anything in ex-
planation was admissible, but that the
remark as to COoper's proposed inter-
view with Carmack was incompetent.
after this conversation what be-
came of your father?"
"He left the office and said he would
be back later in the day"
"How old is your father?
'He is 81 years old"
"And his physical condition."
'His right hand is crippled; the two
smaller fingers of the hand are bent in
and cannot be moved"
This line of questioning indicated the
defense will not put Colonel Coop 3r
on the stand.
did you get pistol that day?"
81 did. My purpose in getting it was
this: The message father sent to Car
mack was very strong, and knowing
Carmack as I did I feared he would
Maxwell hotel. He said he was to see
Bradford at p. m. and that Bradford
would try to adjust the trouble with
Carmack
"Mr. Bradford told me not to worry,
that it could be fixed up. Father came
back at 3 p. m. followed shortly by
Adjutant General Tully Brown
Had you reason to believe your
father was feeling better?''
Agreed Not to Send T.
eyes. Father said he would not send
the note he had written to Carmack" :"
HAD you received any information
as to what was the result of the con-
ference in Bradford's office which
closed at 4 p. mp
Eyes. Papa had decided to refrain
from sending the note and to disregard
the -"
Objection sustained.
The witness detailed the walk from
Bradford's office to the scene of the
schooling. They walked up toward the
Arcade.
''At the middle of the alley intercept
Continued on Page Three)