The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-04
JENKINS HANS
 TESTIFIES IN
 OWN DEFENSE
Called by His Counsel in His Trial for the Murder of
 w. E. Annis.
Mental State of the Man Who Did Actual Shooting Plays Prominent Part in the Trial Story Told by Jenkins HainS.
Especial from United Press )

Jenkins Hains.
 Especial from United Press) Flushing. L. l.. Jan. 4.-If Thornton J. Hains is acquitted of the murder of William E. Annis he will owe it chief ly to his own personality. The accused | writer took the witness chair in his own defense shortly before the luncheon | recess to-day and it was shown he will make an excellent witness Piloted by Attorney Mcintyre he smashed in an- sWer after answer to questions before objections could be framed and al~ though the answers in many cases were stricken out by the court they had gotten to the jury
 It was near the close of the morning session and after General Hains had gone through maze of testimony that the defendant was called ir his own behalf.
 Flushing. L. l., Jan 4-What every one concerned hopes will prove the final week of the trial of Thornton Jenkins Hains for the murder of Will
 liam B. Annis began to-day with both
 sides confident of the outcome. The defense will play it's trump card this
 afternoon when it will call the defend ant to the stand. This is a new de- parture in a noted homicide case in
 this vicinity, the last male defendant
 to take the stand to clear himself be- ing Roland B. Molineaux and he was acquitted. although at the first trial he was found guilty and spent months in the death house in Sing Sing before
 rehearing was granted by the Court of Appeals.
 The defense fears the charge of Jus tlce Crane. Attorneys Mcintyre and Shay have construed his rulings as evidences of hostility and they enar that in laying down the law in the
 case" he will swing the pendulum
 across to the side of the prosecution This is likely to be the case. Justice Crane is incensed at the manner the
 defense has kept hammering on the alleged infidelity of Mrs. Captain Peter C.. Hains and has publicly insisted he will emphasize to this jury that "Adul- tery is no defense for murder, nor ex- 1 cuse. for killing" Therefore unless Thornton Hains on the stand as his own chief witness can convince the jury he knew nothing about the pres ence of Annis at the yacht club or that Captain Hains was~1@armed the charge is well nigh certain to have a powerful Influence in determining the verdict.
 When the trial was resumed to-day General Peter c. HainS. father of the recalled examinat ton. '''''''''''- tt l The new district attorney of Queens County. Attorney Dewitt. was in court and his appearance in the case was
 ordered recorded by Justice Crane While 1t was announced that Dewitt
 would not take any part in the trial of
 Thornton Hains. Darrin continued his cross-exanination of General Hains by
 asking him what he considered his
 sons mental condition from May 31. to August 15. f'I considered him irration-
 al,' was the answer
 General Hains swore that from May
 21 until August 15 he thought that
 while the captains mind was some
 what affected that he would get bet ter.
 What changed him after August
 IF? Reading the cross bill in his di-
 vorce suit served on him by his wife.
 When he read the statements contain
 ed therein, he became frantic" Dar-
 rim demanded that the General declare
 just how Captain Mains acted when
 hs, rerrsed this document
 He said to me. My God, I've been
 charged now with having forced my
 wife tc submit to horrible practices. I
 suspected any charge but never any
 thing like tfs.' As he said this he
 dropped heavily into a chair and press
 ed his hands to his head saying to me
 My God, I never thought that man
 could drag my wife to such depth of
 infamy.'"
 Darrin then demanded that General
 Hains tell him of some other incident
 but the General said he could not
 specify any. Did you ever say any
 thing regarding the captain and Will
 liam E. Annis or did you ever give
 him any special instructions about
 Annis?" T don't remember Annis'
 name being mentioned
 NI,s
 cross-examination and Mcintyre asked
 number of questions, in redirect to
 clear up a few points. Asked if he
 ege' had the captain examined as to
 his mental condition between May 21 arl August 15. the General replied that
 he had talked to doctors about his
 soa but had never had an examination
 made. He swore the captain was put
 in his brothers charge, Thornton be-
 ing asked to keep him out in the open
 air as much as he could.
 Mcintyre showed a letter in a small
 envelope to General Hains and asked
 when he saw it first. "On June 1st."
 Where did you get it?'' Captain
 Hains handed it to me-
 Mcintyre then offered the letter in
 evidence. Justice Crane ruled he could
 not admit the letter but that the wit
 ness could tell what it contained. ''It was dated May 31." he said, "and I b0l0N0 THdu HIS 1OllOWS. "'Dcar Billie: Do not come down
 Monday. It is all over between Peter and me. He has found out every thing He says for you to pay me the money from the police court as he does not want any dealings with you. I am go- ing to Boston and will send you my address. I am almost crazy and want to see you very much It was signed 'Claudia.''
 Mcintyre then renewed the offer and the court ruled that while he did not consider it properly competent it might go in. It was addressed to w. E. Annis at number West 32nd street. Manhattan How it came into the hands of the General was not divulged Mcintyre then said: Thornton Jen- kins Hains take the stand" The de- I fendant took the oath in firm voice | He said that he was 42 years old, born l in Washington, D. C.. married in Sep- 1 tenlber. 1S96 that his wife was dead
 and that he had one child, Mollie now | alive.
 Do you remember when your broth CT went to the Philippines? 'I do, in l September. 1907.''
 1 When did you see him next?" "T 1 think May 31, last year. I was asleep | and suddenly heard a crashing noise down stairs I jumped I'D and rushed