Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-07-20
DISCREPANCIES IN HIS STORIES
cross-examination Brings Out Differ.
ences Between Testimony Given in
First Investigation and His Pres
ent Version of the Annapolis
Tragedy.
(By Associated Press.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. July 19.-The
opening session here today of the
court of inquiry which is conducting
as ceond investigators into the death
of Lieutenant James Nuttle Sutton, of
the United States Marine Corps was
Iepiete with dramatic situations.
The court assembled in the big audi
forum of the Academic building. The
very largeness of the hall added to
the atmosphere of solemnity
Lieutenant Robert F. Adams, SUIT
tons classmate at the Academy and
one of the principal actors in the mid
night fight which cost young Sutton
his life nearly two years ago. occu-
pied the witness stand during the en-
tire session and told a graphic story
of the incidents leading up to SUIT
tons death.
Under the severe cross-eXamination
of Henry E Davis, counsel for Mrs.
Sutton. the young officer sat facing
Sutton's mother and sister during his
examination. His brother officers.
Lieutenants Bevan and Osterman.
fianked by Adams two lawyers, sat
farther down the inquiry table.
Struggle Enacted.
the Judge advocate and the three
members OF the board completed the
impressive sitting. in their white uni
forms. At one point in his testi-
mcny Lieutenant Adams and an or
derby enacted the struggle with SUIT
ton. in the courtroom. The witness
chair was removed and they both lay
prone upon the floor. The witness was
tra s.-ha
the inquiry adjourned until tomorrow
morning.
Mr.. Davis succeeded in bringing out
number of discrepancies in Adams
testimony today compared with his
version of the tragedy at the former
investigation when the board of in
quiry found that Sutton died by his
own hand
A ride to the marine camp in an
automobile. with Sutton and two other
officers of marines, Lieutenants Utley
and Osterman, an alteration between
Sutton and the witness and deferred
encounter when the senior officer in
terferred. as the auto was stopped
short Of the camp with the intention
Of avoiding being caught returning
after hours: a later accidental meet
ing of the witness and Sutton. on the
border Of the woods near the bar
racks and the fight between the two
men with Sutton armed with re-
volver in either hand and firing five
shots. .he last of which he directed
at his own head while lying on the
ground. these were the points in
Adams evidence.
Says He Saw Sutton Kill Himself.
The witness said be had risen from
the prcstrate Sutton whom he be-
lever to be exhausted and stood few
feet back Of him when he saw Sutton
raise his right hand and fire bull
let into his own head. Just previously
one o! the officers, who had came mp
on the scene had cried that Lieuteant
Edward p. Rocker had been shot and
killed. the witness said
Adam said he had made no attempt
10 take the revolver from Sutton
hand when he broke away OF was
pulled away from him. in reply to law
yer Davis oft-repeated question
Sutton had previously threatened 10
kin and was generally avoided by the
marines because Of his wild talk and
actions. according to the witness
After the session Nr. Davis said that
Il was not his intention To fasten the
responsibility Of Sutton's death on any
enc. hut that every effort would be
made tn discredit and refute the SUI
eide theory
RoeIker Is an important witness
who has not yet been located.
viii Cell Miss Stewart
Mrs Sutton-s counsel said tonight
that Ness Margaret Stewart ct PITTS
burg the vcun0 woman who vas Win
sutton most Of the evening before
he nat hts death might be called as
q urffu0oc