Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-20
RECOLLECTION FAILS
REGARDING INTERVIEW
Osterman, on Stand, Repeats Fellow
Officers Story.
SAYS SUTTON WAS DISLIKED
Tells of Incident When Man. After
ward Slain, Shot Up Camp.
Rocker Frustrated by
Shot.

Special Dispatch to The star
ANNAPOLIS, Md, July ao-Openinr
with dramatic possibilities this morning,
the Sutton inquiry closed its morning se.-
sion without the development Of anything
In the least way vital to the main point
at issue
Lieut.. Robert Adams, the first witness,
who occupied the stand throughout yes
terday's sessions, was recalled this morn
ing and rigidiy cross-examinea by Henry
f. Davis. v no is conducting the case for
the Sutton family. When Adams was ex-
cused he was followed by Lieut.. oster-
man, the man who fought with Sutton
the night that the latter died.
For days prior to the opening Of tho
second inquiry into the death OF Lieut..
James \. Sutton. whom the first court
of inquiry declared suicide, all day yes
terday and last night rumors of SEN
sational developments to come have
flown thick and fast Most of these
rumors came from sources close to the
Suttons
Adams Quizzed as to Interview.
Great stress was laid upon the facts
that were to be brought out when Adams
should be questioned concerning the in
terview he had with Mrs. Hugh Parker.
sister Of Sutton. who, after his death.
came to Annapolis from the west WITH
the determination to get at the truth
concerning his death. interrogated every
vs-iSl n
away with most of the evidence upon
which the Sutton lawyers based their
finally successful appeal for a reopenins.
of the case.
Today Attorney Davis went after Adam.
on the subject Of that interview He eor
nothing but a downright denial from
ADAMS that he had ever discussed with
Mrs Parker the events that happened ON
the night Of the killing
Adams admitted having talked with
MIS-. Parker He said he went to her
room In Carvel Hall and had long in
terVieW. Emphaticaliy. he asserted, that
the only subject under discussion during
the Interview had to do with sutton $
personality and the causes of his alleged
unpopuiarity with his fellow Officers.
MI. Davis asked Adams a number OF
questions regarding Statement he is
alleged to have made to Mrs Parker re-
sardlng the shooting and the events
that Immediately led up to it. But
Adams stood firm in his original declara-
i'on that he had told Mrs Parker at
the beginning Of their interview that
he would not discuss the affair with her
and that If she wanted his version OF
II She must be satisfied with his tes j.
mony before the first court, which MAS
In her possession.
1t was at this point that Mr.. Davis an
nounced that he was through with his
cIoss-examlnation Of Adams, adding that
he had not read over Adams testimony
OF yesterday. He wished. therefore. To
reserve the right 10 again question Adams
regarding his statements before the pres
ent court.
Sutton's Unpopularity Not Broached
The court and the spectators. whose
numbers srew larger today and included
a number Of women. wives of officers
stationed at the Naval Academy and at
the marine barracks. waited In tense si-
lence for Mr.. Davis to question Adams
concerning his statements to Mrs. Parker
regarding the causes OF Sutton's unpopu-
larity. The attorney did not broach that
subject
What at first Threatened to be an ex-
ceedingiy dramatic scene fell into a dull
discussion between the attorneys over the
form OF some Of Mr.. Davis questions.
The only flash came when Adams VOL
unteered the statement that when he en-
tered Mrs. Parker's room at the hotel he
found her In an agitated condition. due.
he understood. to the fact that Lieut..
Potts, whom she had just finished inter-
- at
about her dead brother. accusing him.
among other things. OF being a coward.
But this statement was not followed up
by any of the counsel.
Today Adams showed the same nervous
ness he appeared to labor under yester-
day. but taken all in all he made a good
witness: His story was straight.
1t differed somewhat from his original
story. When asked which story he want
ed to have understood by the court as
correct. he said he wanted the story he
has been telling to the present court 70
be the accepted version. even though it
may differ dn some respects from the orig
inal.
Different Story May Be Told.
1t leaked out today that a story dia.
metrically opposed to that of Adams
with regard to the exact manner in which
Sutton died will be told by an officer
who was on the scene and who is apt
to be called late this afternoon OF early
tomorrow.
Adams has testified that his struggle
with Sutton ended with Sutton lying on
the ground. face downward. revolver
In each hand. his right arm folded un-
der his breast and his left arm extended.
Adams says he does not know how he
got off Sutton. but remembers that some
one came uo and relieved him Of the
task of holding Sutton down; that few
seconds afterward. upon hearing him.
Adams, say: HE has killed Rocker.
and when Sutton turned the revolver on
himself and fired tine shot that ended his
life Sutton was lying alone on the ground
with NOBODY near him.
The man who will tell a different story
will swear. it IL said. that when the last
a nd fatal shot Was fred hY Sutton he Nna