The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-22
AT CLOSE RANCE.
Shot Which Killed Sutton Fired
Two Feet Away.
Bullet Entered His Head on
Top Near the Back.
COULD HAVE DONE 1T
Surgeon Says 1t Might Have
Been Self Inflicted.
Body Showed No other Injuries
of a Serious Nature.
COULD HAVE DONE 1T

Annapolis Nd, July 22.-Surgeon
General PickreIl, U. s. NJ. who at
tended Lieutenant James n. Sutton
after he was shot, testified at the in
quiry today that the bullet entered
Sutton's head on top, near the back
and a little to the right. This has
been much disputed point as other
physicians have testified that the
wound was just back of the right
ear.
Surgeon Pickrell stated that the
Shot was fired within two feet of
Sutton's head and in his opinion
could have been self inflicted. He
said that Sutton's body showed no
other injuries which might nave
caused death. The witneSse tdentlned
a belt and holster which he said was
strapped on Sutton's leg the night OF
the tragedy.
In answer to the request of the
Judge advocate counsel for the Sut-
tons announced that they had one
witness outside of those already SUD
,poenaed by the government whom
they would like to call. he is Chas.
Kennedy, a private IN the mar ldIlIlS :
CORPS at Norfolk, Va. A large croWd
of women, mostly belonging in naval
circles. attended the hearing today
Mr.. Davis read from the records or
the former inquiry, bringing out some
discrepancies in Lieutenant Wiling
testimony. The witness SAID MS
present testimony was correct
First Testimony Reckless.
..The former testimony was given
on the same day of the shooting and
some of it was reckless, was the
Iieutenant's explanation. Wiling was
sometimes defiant and answered the
lawyers questions in an lndlnereht
manner at other times
can't TRmem ber what everybody
said and did no that night, he de-
clared, no one could.
Mr. Davis handed a rusty 3S cali
l,re revolver to the witness and asked
if he could Identify it as the one he
picked up on the edge of the parade
Grounds tho. night Sutton was shot, as
he testified. Willing took the re-
volver, looked it over carefully and
said it might be the same one, as
the calibre and appearance OF the
weapon was the same Ihe mem
hers of the board also examined the
revolver. Mr.. Birney, Lieutenant
Adams's counsel, questioned Lieu
tenant Willing at the conclusion or
Mr.. Davis's cross examination.
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 shooting, and asked him if he
did not know he should have arrest
ed any one who was unruly. Lieu
tenant Willing said he did not recall
whether or not he knew the rule at
that time.
.sDid you tell one of the officers to
let Adams go ahead and knock SUIT
tons head OFF," asked Mr.. Davis.
Yes, I think 1 made such re-
mark Lieutenant Willing answered.
Pic1rcH Is Called.
Lieutenant Willing was excused
and Surgeon Pickrell. Z. S. N, who
was in charge of the naval academy
hospital on the night of the shooting,
testified. DR.. Pickren heard the shots
as he was but a short distance away
and hurried to the scene. He exam
ined Suttons injuries and made a
careful examination of the bullet
wound in his head after death. The
bullet entered Sutton's head on top, |
near the back and little to the
right the witness said.
Surgeon PickreIl said that he
treated LfeutenantS Williams, Oster- |
man, Rocker and Potts at the hos |
pital shortly after the shooting. They |
all had insignificant injuries, he said |
They were all very much excited and |
talked about the shooting. Lieuten-
ants Adams and Osterman, as he re-
called it, told him about the fight |
and said Sutton had shot himself |
while lying on the ground.
The witness identified a belt and |
holster. which he said was strapped |