The Washington times., 1910-10-03
BASTON DISMISSED
FROM POLICE FORCE
Wife Slayer Refuses TO Talk
When Questioned BY
Supporters.

As the result of a hearing held at
the Seventh precinct this morning Pri-
Vate Charles e.. Baston, the policeman
who shot and instantly killed his wife
on Saturday night, has been dismissed
from the Iolice force Of the District,
AID is now awaiting his preliminary
hearing in the Police Court. after the
inquest over the body Of Mrs. Baston,
which Will take place this afternoon
The hearing this morning was Il mere
matter of form, it being only held in
order to obtain first-hand evidence which
would be sufficient to dismiss Bastou
from the force. Inspector Francis Z.
Cross, presided over the meeting and
was assisted in his investigation and
Questioning by Captains Williams, Ell
lott, and Schneider.
The first witness called was Gibson
Hollinssworth, Of 1850 Thirtieth street,
who testified that he saw the shots fired
and that Mrs. Baston fell Immediately
TO the street, not even having time to
cry out Baston then turned his re-
volver on himself and attempted TO
Commit suicide, but his bullet missed his
head, only perforating his hat
Baston Refuses To Talk.
When the inspector asked Baston, who
was present at the inquiry. il he lad
anything to say on the subject, or IL the
story told by Hollingsworth was sub
stantially true, BastOn merely shook
his head and indicated that he had
slOthing to say on the subject. Indeed.
M demeanOr during the whole investi-
cation was that Of a man who did not
care what was going on around him
Private Lipscomb. who arrested BaS-
ton, told the board that he heard the
sh9cs and came running up TO the scene
of the crime, where he found BaSton
standing over the dead body OF his vile.
with the smoking revolver in his hand
BastOn, he said, made no resistance to
his arrest, and went quietly 10 the sta
ton house, where he refused 20 speak
of the matter, and turned his face TO
the wall when anyone spoke Of IL.
Captain Schneider testified that he eX-
amincd the revolver when IL was
brought TO the station house, and that
IL bore every sign OF having been recent
ly fired The barrel was dirty. five Of
the shells empty and the empty cart
ridges moist with grease which had &C
cumulated after the firing. II Is
thought that BastOn must have fired
one shot previous to the killing, as the
other witnesses all agree that there
were but four shots fired at that time.
Taken Back To Cell.
At the end of the hearing Inspector
Cross turned to Baston and inquired II
he wished TO make any statement what
ever concerning the case, either 10 con-
firm or deny the statements Of any OF
the witnesses. or TO give any reason
why he shot his wife. or why he
should not be discharged from the
force. but Baston maintained his atti-
tude of sullen indifference and said
nothing-contenting himself with mere
" shaking his head
He was led back TO the cell 10 await
the fnding-of the Coroner's- jury, which
will hold the inquest over the body OF
his wife this afternoon
The autopsy was held yesterday after
noon at the District mOrgue- Assistant
Coroner Charles 5. White found that
Mrs BastOn came 10 her death as the
result of a shot fired into her head. and
which entered the back OF the head and
took an upward course TO the brain
Death, said DR.. White, would have been
instantaneous
merelT glanced off her head and inflicted
no mi terial injury. II was impossible
TO tell which shot was fired first, but II
was the one that entered at the base of
the brain that caused her death.
It Il stated at the Seventh precinct
that Naston intends 70 make vigorous
defense in the hopes Of escaping the
death penalty. through a plea Of tenn
porary insanity. This cannot be con-
firmed, however, as Baston refuses 10
speak OF the matter.
Tt is also stated that he has requested
the Police Association to engage counsel
for him