The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-01
THORNTON HANS
 TAXES TIE STAND Brother of Defendant TestifeS
 10 the Shooting LOUD SHOUT IN COURT Thornton Hains Causes Excitement By Repeating His Brothers Words Which Were Uttered Before
 the Killing.
LOUD SHOUT IN COURT

Flushing. N Y. April 9O.-Incidents of the day. August b. 1908. leading up to the shooting of William E. Annis at the Baysde Yacht club by Capt. Peter (. Hains, Jr [. S. 'A.. were graphically reviewed today on the witness stand by ! Thornton Jenkins Hains. the defendants brother at the trial before Justice Car retson in the superior court here. Thornton Hanes was called as wit ness by the defense shortly after court opened on the conclusion of District At torney DeWitts cross-eXamination of General Hains John F. Mcintyre, chief counsel for the defense, carefully piloted the witness through minute description of his movements and those of the captain on the fatefu day up to the time they reached the Yacht club float At this point the attorney suddenly broke off without asking single question in re- gard to the shooting
 It was evidently the purpose of the de- fense to let the prosecution bring out the details of the killing on cross -examina- tion. This turn in affairs was executed so unexpectedly by the army officers counsel that it created considerable con fusion among the states forces.
 District Attorney Dewitt had not reached the day of the tragedy in his cross-examination of the witness. Thorn ton Haines, at the close of the days pro ceedings. The defendants brother startled every one in court and brought upon himself severe reprimand from Judge Garretson when at the beginning of his examination he shouted at the top of his voice in an attempt to echo the heart rending cry of the captain on the night that his wife, Claudia Hains. confessed to him, as is alleged, her relations with Annis.
 The witness was eager to go into many irrelevant details in answering Mir Me Intyres questions, and YVES frequently cautioned to confine himself strictly to the questions.
 There was dramatic scene in court when the district attorney at the very be- ginning of his cross examination advanced toward the witness and said "On June l, 1901, did you shoot and kill one Edward Hannigan?" The lawyers for the defense were on their feet instantly. MT. Mcintyre con tended that the district attorney asked the question without any right knowing full well that Thornton Hans was exonerated
 of the charge of killing Hannigan at Fortress Monroe, Va. Justice Garretson ordered the question 1 stricken from the records. The witness particularly emphasized that it was purely by accident that the
 captain met Annis at the Yacht club.
 Today for the first time since the trial began two weeks ago the courtroom was crowded. many women being present Thornton Hains related incidents which occurred at Fort Hamilton in describing what he characterized Captain Hains ae- tions as irrational When we reached the fort" the witness said. 'I walked with the captain from quarters to the Pinch battery. His gait was shuffling and his face as white as chalk. He kept saying: Oh, my God. What have I done; how can I stand it.
 The witness said a Dr. Wilson was called to attend the defendant. and pre- scrbed sedatives.
 The witness said that Captain Hains spent the night at his house at Bayrdge after they left the fort. There was q family conference, and lawyer named Bennett was present. The lawyer asked the captain some questions and the cap- tain's answers and actions at that time were irrational, the witness said. The witness identified the alleged confession of Claudia Hains the defendants wife which he said he saw her sign.
 The captain remained at Thorpton's house for six weeks after the night when the confession was obtained. the wit ness said and was there at intervals afterward
 During the time the captain often took large doses of bromide to induce sleep He had violent spells frequently after which he would collapse and remain quiet for a long time. He would jump up suddenly and pace the room pulling at his hair" the witness said. Thornton told of a trip to New York with his brother when the captain suddenly stopped on Broadway, his muscles became rigid and he hissed "Annis! Annisi"
 "A man who looked like Annis." the wit ness said twas walking up the other side of Broadway. I had a hard time convincing the captain that it was not Annis and getting him to go home with me"