The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1910-10-14
STATE OF WASHINGTON
VS.. JAMES ROBERTS
Accused of Murder in KILLING
Dell Mcdonnell July 4.
Two Eye Witnesses OF Shooting Dis
agree in testimony Roberts in
Own Behalf TeIla Straig htforward
Story mcdonnell QuarreIsome.

The State VS.. James Roberts, accused
OF murder in killing Dell Mcconnell in
Colfex on the 4th of July has occupied
the attention OF the superior court all
the week, and at this writing Judge
Hanna is addressing the jury. The
father and brother of the man killed, and
the tather and two brothers OF the boy
on trial we're in constant attendance
each day OF the trial. Monday the fol-
lowing jury was selected:
R. L. Vannice, Sam Ransier, E. Nor
ris, c. d. Chestnut, E. J. Kaufman, Geo.
Hardy, Fred Christensen, S. Il. Perkins,
T. n Barbee, j. E. Smith, Philip Green,
A. 7. Caruthers
A big array of legal lights was observ
able insthe case. Prosecuting Attorney
Chamberlin was assisted by James T.
Brown and John w. Mathews, while
Hanna 4 Hanna and R. j. Naergaard
appeared for defendant.
Chief Witness of Prosecution.
Joseph Bowman, brother-in-law of
Mcconnell and an eyewitness of the
shooting was the principal witness for
the state and was the first witness to
testify. His testimony summarized was
as below given: He and Mcconnell met
on the street and went to the Newcastle
saloon for the purpose OF finding toi-
let. Both went into the toilet in Schlut-
ing's saloon. Bowman came out first
and was talking to Roberts when Dell
made his appearance. Roberts asked
Bowman to buy him a drink, Bowman
replying: How in hell did you get in
on this?" Roberts then remarked to
Dell, who was still in the toilet, "Why
don't you camp in there" This was
followed by an alteration in which Dell
struck Roberts, knocking him against
the wall. As Roberts arose to his feet
he shot Dell, without raising the wea-
pom. Roberts then ran out OF the back
door and jumped to the ground. He
acknowledged to being under the infiu-
ence of liquor. This is the material
testimony Oh DOWmdH.
L. l.. Roberts, deputy sheriff, was
the second witness and told the story
OF Roberts confession to him on August
20, which was the same as told by de-
iendant in his testimony, which ap-
pears below.
DR.. A. E. Stuht testified that he
helped operate for the bullet, but did
not find it; that the bullet entered
near the 10th rib on left side and
glanced from the rib diagonally down
ward, lodging in the right groin. Found
the bullet there after death.
Charles L. Chamberlin testified that
he visited Mcdonnell before bis death
and obtained verified statement from
deceased. The offer to introduce the
statement was rejected.
This ended the testimony for the state.
Evidence for Defense.
George LittletOn, an eve witness, was
the first witness for the defense. His
testimony corroborates that of defend
duI hOUeTls given DelOW.
George W. Hall, Lewis Stairet, Cad
Krous, Wesley Wood, Burrel Smith
and Charles Euler testified to the good
character of defendant.
W. H. Roberts, father of the boy,
testified as to date of birth, July 3,
1892.
Testimony of Defendant Roberts.
Young Roberts took the stand in his
own behalf, his testimony in substance
being as below given: He said he came
to town from Steptoe with six others in
hack; brought the pistol with the idea
of having fun going home shooting after
dark: while in town ran across Littleton
on the street and he said, Let's hunt a
water closet" walked directly to closet
in Schluting's saloon about 3:15 o. m;
no one was in the back room of the sa-
loon when they went in; both went in the
closet; when he (Roberts) came out he
met Bowman standing at the mouth of
the alley; he asked Bowman the time OF
day and remarked about the fine chain
Bowman was wearing; Dell walked by
into the closet and Littleton Immediately
came out. Dell soon came out OF the
toilet, and, stepping up to defendant and
Bowman, remarked to Roberts: "What
in hell are you trying to hand that man
(meaning Bowman); you can't hand me
anything, you God damn s. of b ;" strik.
ing him on the left side of the nose,
knocking him down. Dell knocked him
the second time against the wall, and as
he came up he shot without raising his
gun. Dell then stepped back, holding
his STOMACH with both hands. Roberts
said that he ran out OF the back door
and nine miles in the country to his