Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-23
EVIDENCE GIVEN
IN SUTTON CASE
IS CONFLICTING
tcOntinued from Page One,

Same. The members of the board also
examined the revolver.
Mr.. Birney, Lieutenant Adams coun-
sci, questioned Lieutenant Willing at
the conclusion of Davis cross-eXamlna-
ton.
Commander Hood showed the wit
ness the rules in the navy blue book
which pertained to vikings duties as
officer of the day at the time OF the
shoting, and asked him If he did not
know he should have arrested any one
who was unruly. Lieutenant Willing
said he did not recall whether or not
he knew the rule at that time.
Admits Egglng on Fight
Did you tell one of the officers to let
Adams go ahead and knock sutton
head Off" asked Davis
Yes, 1 think made such remark"
Lieutenant Willing answered.
Surgeon George Pickerell, u. S. N,
who was in charge of the naval acade-
my hospital on the night of the shoot
ing then testified. DR.. Pickerell heard
the shooting and hurried to the scene
He examined Suttons injuries and
made a careful examination of the bull
let wound in his head after death
The bullet entered Sutton's head on
top, near the back and a little TO the
right, the witness said.
This has been much disputed point
as other physicians have testified that
the wound was just back of the right
ear. DR.. Pickerell stated that the shot
was fired within two feet of Sutton S
head, and in his opinion could have
been self-infiicted. He said that SUIT
TOMS body showed no other wounds
which might have caused death. Sur
geon Pickerell said that he treated
Iieutenants Adams, Osterman, Rocker
and Potts at the hospital shortly atter
the shooting. They all had inslgnin-
cant injuries, he said. They were all
very much excited and talked about the
shooting. Lieutenants Adams and Os-
terman. as he recalled it, told him
about the fight, and said sutton killed
himself while lying on the ground.
The witness identified a belt and
holster which he said was strapped on
Sutton's leg the night of the tragedy.
At Mr. Davis request the surgeon
illustrated with the revolver the man
ner in which he believed Sutton might
have shot himself.
Senior officer Testlfes
Charles A. Doyen. senior officer OF the
marine corps at Annapolis at the time
of the Sutton affair, and who still holds
the most was the next witness called.
Colonel Doyen told of Lieutenant Ut
ley approaching him that night and
telling him that Sutton had killed Roel-
ker and then shot himself. When Col
onel Doyen reached the scene, he said,
he picked up Sutton's right hand,
which was extended directly In front
of his body, and felt for his pulse. He
found he had a pulse and ordered one
of the officers nearby to hurry and get
the naval academy physician, DR.. Nc
Cormick Sutton was dead before they
could get him to the hospital, the
colonel said.
Colonel Doyen described the incidents
of the shooting as they had been re-
ported to him by the young officers
concerned in the fights. He said the
officers had special leave on that night
on account of the hop, but were sup
posed to be in camp at l o'clock.
Tells of RevoIVers
On redirect examination Major Leon
ard questioned Colonel Doyen and the
witness said that subsequent to the
time that Lieut.. Willing brought the
two revolvers to him after the shoot
ing he did not know who had them un-
til they were returned to him at the
inquest. He had told Lieut., Willing
to take charge of them, he said.
Colonel Doyen told of a report made
to him in May, 1907, that Lieut.. Sutton
had been suspended for ten days for
being intoxicated and creating a dis
turbance in camp.
He said he knew Sutton passed much
of his time alone. This attracted his
attention and he made inquiries and
was told Sutton did not seem TO be
popular.
II was told he was overbearing and
assumed a manner of superiority
toward his brother officers" Colonel
Doyen said.
Colonel Doyen located the bullet
wound in Sutton's head as on the right
side. one inch back of the right ear on
a line with the top of the ear. He said
he felt of Suttons head as he lay on
the ground.