Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-03
CORONER HOLDING INQUEST
Prisoner in Cell Awaiting Verdict of
the Jury.
NOT ENTITLED TO COUNSEL
Policemen's Association Forced to
Deny Request of Accused Man.
Burial Of Victim.

trict morgue this afternoon over the body
of Mrs. Catherine Baston, wife Of Po-
liceman Charles G. Baston, who was shot
and killed by her husband Saturday
night near their home. 1927 Both street
northwest.
Baston was given hearing by the
police trial board this morning. and
shortly before the opening Of the inquest
he was notified that he had been re-
moved from the police force.
The trial board, consisting Of Inspector
Cross and Capts. Elliott and Williams,
met at the seventh precinct station at
o'clock this morning for the purpose
of giving Baston q hearing. He was
tried on charge Of violating section
233 Of the police manual, which stipu-
lates that policemen shall not use their
baton or revolver except in the most
urgent cases of self-defense and when
the circumstances justify such action"
Asked Service of Counsel.
Although. when first placed under ar
rest Saturday night by Policeman T. B.
Lipscomh, Baston stated he was sorry
that he did not have one more cartridge
left in his revolver with which to end
his own life. his attitude was somewhat
changed later when he requested Capt
Schneider, In command of the seventh
precinct, to ask the Policemen's Associa-
ton to secure counsel for him.
Unlike Policeman Collier, who shot and
killed Capt. Mathews of the fifth pre-
cinct, and who fought his removal from
the police force from the time of his ar
rest until shortly before his trial in the
Criminal Court, Baston readily consented
- -
signed statement to the effect that he
wished a hearing. He was not repre-
scented by counsel at the hearing.
The first witness called was Gobson
Hollingsworth Of 1850 Goth street north
west, who testified that he saw Baston
that the shots were fired at Mrs. Baston.
but Inspector Cross stopped him before he
had made the statement.
Howard King of 1890 Both street said
he saw four shots fired by Baston and
also heard one more.
Policeman T. B. Lipscomb, stationed at
the seventh precinct. testified that he was
standing at the corner Of Both and NJ
streets northwest between and Q
o'clock last Saturday night when he
heard five shots fired. He said he did
not see the flash Of the revolver and did
not know who had fired the shots. The
witness stated that a man had handed him
a revolver and said he had taken 1t from
Policeman Baston. The witness testified
as to the number on the revolver.
Woman Lying at His Feet.
Inspector Cross asked the witness what
prompted him to place Baston under ar
rest. and he replied that a woman was
lying on the pavement near Baston's feet.
When Inspector Cross inquired If the
woman was i'll or had been injured, Bas-
ton objected to the question, as he con-
tended that 1t had nothing to do with the
question whether or not he had fired the
revolver.
The witness stated that he was told
that Baston had shot his wife. 1t was
then, he said, he placed Baston under ar
rest.
Capt Schneider, the last witness, after
stating that Baston was a member of the
police force stationed at the seventh pre-
cinct, gave the number of the police re-
volver carried by Baston, and it was the
same as that on the gun identified as the
weapon Baston used.
When asked If he wanted to make a
statement, Baston replied that he did not
Following the hearing the prisoner was
again locked up to await the hearing be-
fore the coroner's jury this afternoon.
Following the shooting Saturday night
the body Of Mrs. Baston was removed to
the District morgue, where Deputy Cor
oner Charles White yesterday performed
an autopsy. The autopsy disclosed that
only two of the bullets fired at the woman
took. effect. One OF them entered the
right temple and lodged in the brain,
while the other passed into the scalp. 1t
Is believed that the first shot was the
one which entered her brain and that the
other wound was inflicted after the
woman had fallen to the pavement.
To Care for Child.
Ch.r,ss Sfinrni6z> ~ ina, aoth s.-..&
brother-in-law of Baston, will adopt the
two-year-old daughter made motherless
by Baston. he stated to Capt. Schneider
this morning, and he is also arranging
for the burial OF Mrs. Baston. The funeral
will be held Wednesday, but the detailed
arrangements have not as yet been COM
pleted.
Baston's membership in the polcemen's
association does not entitle him to the
right of having the organization employ
counsel to defend him, as he requested Of
Capt. Schneider. The rule of the asso-
citation bearing upon the question Of
counsel being employed for its members
declares that in no instance shall or will
any fee be paid by this association except
based upon the act or acts Of q man in
the performance Of his duty as a police
man."
The members of the association SYM
patfize with Baston, said a member of
the organization today, but the associ-
alton cannot take any part in his defense.
Some individual members Of the organiza-
ton may offer to aid him.