Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-05
HALT ALLNUTT CASE
Mother of Prisoner Unable to
Appear as a Witness.
COURT ORDERS AN INQUIRY
Names Committee Of Physicians to
Visit Aged Woman.
ACCUSED OF KILLING SISTER
Crime Was One of the Most Sensa-
tional in the History of
Montgomery County.
COURT ORDERS AN INQUIRY
ACCUSED OF KILLING SISTER
Special Dispatch 70 The Star.


II she appeared today as principal states
witness against her son, Richard V. ALL
mutt, on trial for the murder of his sis
ter, Mrs. Valeria w. Viers, the trial came
TO sudden halt here this morning. and
a committee of three physicians was an.
pointed by Judges Urner. Motter and
Peter to visit Mrs. Allnutt at her home
near Jacksonville to make an official ex-
animation
The case, which has attracted wide at.
tention, was called this morning. States
Attorney Bowie w. Waters told the court
he could not proceed unless Mrs. Allnutt
was present and asked that a recess be
taken. Mrs Allnutt, who is over eighty
years of age, was attacked by her son
at the same time he killed his sister, Her
physician reported to Mr.. Waters that
although she has recovered from her
wounds, she Is in a nervous condition,
which might be fatal if she were re-
quired to testify against her own son in
such a matter.
The physicians chosen by the court to
investigate are Drs. E. l.. Billiard, o. NJ
Linthicum and Upton Nourse A re-
cess was taken until o'clock this after
noon.
Family Prominent One.
Richard w. Allnutt is forty-five years
old and farmer of Jacksonville neigh
borhood. He is a son of the late Nathan
w. Allnutt. and brother Of Henry c.
Allnutt Of Rockville, register of wills for
Montgomery county. The Allnutt family
is one Of the oldest and most respected in
the county.
Dick" Allnutt, as he is generally
known, was married last year. Until his
marriage he had always made his home
on the family farm near Jacksonville. and
for number Of years, or since his ia
theirs death. had managed the place. His
mother. his sister, Mrs. Veirs, and Miss
Jane Rawlings, longtime friend and
companion of the mother, also lived there.
The first intimation of discord in the
family was manifested when Dick ALL
mutt, shortly after his marriage. ex-
pressed a desire that he be allowed to
bring his wife home to live. The propo-
sition met with opposition on the part OF
the family, solely, however, because they
did not like the idea of two families living
under the same roof. Dick did not take
his bride home. but engaged apartments
at the home q his brother, Lawrence ALL
mutt, a merchant at Jacksonville.
Quarrels Were Numerous.
Bad feeling and numerous quarrels
it is said. followed. The morning OF
the tragedy Allnutt went to his
mothers home, taking with him. it l:
charged, the handle of a pitchfork
which he left near the door as he en-
tered the house. He found there his
mother Mrs. Margaret V. Allnutt; his
sister. Mrs. Valeria w. Veirs. and Miss
Rawlings. Two or three servants were
o1cn in mr. ohnvf the hOuce
Allnutt at once made it known that
the object. of his visit was to have a
final understanding as to whether or
not he was to be permitted to bring
his wife there to live. On being told
that such an arrangement could not
be made he is said to have started for
the pitchfork handle. Before his pur-
pose could be OWNED he was back in
the room welding the heavy stick.
Blow after blow he is said to have
rained on the heads and bodies of the
women. and he did not deSist until all
three lay senseless on the floor before
him and the room was despatched
with blood.
The attack on Mrs. Veirs was re-
garded as especially brutal. Her Skull
was fractured, one eye was knocked
out. one arm was broken and she re-
ceived numerous other cuts and
bruises about the head, face and body.
She died about o'clock that night.
without regaining consciousness.
The injuries inflicted by Allnutt on
his mother and Miss Rawlings were
also serious Mrs. Allnutt is more
than eighty years old. and Miss Raw
lings is probably ten or twelve. years
her junior. For a week or more the
condition of both was critical. but they
finally pulled through and have. it is
said, fully recovered AS a result of
no r11f Inn
indicted in two cases for assault with
intent to murder. which cases are still
pending.
No Effort to Escape
Allnutt made no effort to escape, but
went to the home of his brother. where he
was found later in the day by Sheriff
Welt, who placed him under arrest and
brought him to Rockville. He has since
been in jail here.
Soon after the tragedy it was announced
by Allnutt's attorneys that insanity would
be the defense. Alienists have been en-
gagged to testify at the trial. at least two
Of whom have visited the prisoner in Jail
for the purpose of observing him. 1t is
that Dr. Charles G. Hill of
Baltimore will be the principal insanity
expert to testify for the defense.
The prosecution has made preparation
to combat the insanity theory and will
also place experts on the stand to testify
as to Allnutt's mental condition. among
them being DR.. A. p. Herring of the
Maryland lunacy board.
Allnutt is represented by Attorneys
Marshall Mccormick of Berryville. Va. !:
Arthur Peter of Washington and w. Out
erbridge Spates of Rockville, he prose-
cution is being Conducted by States At
torney Bowie +. Waters. assisted by Alex
ander kilgour, the latter having been ap-
pointed by the court as special states at
torney for this case.
Prisoners Wife Loyal.
Allnutts wife has stood by him with
fidelity. The entire first week of his in
generation she spent in Rockville. most
of the time in her husbands cell. and
since then she has visited him at frequent
intervals. She expresses herself as firmly
of the belief that when her husband COM
mitted the assault he was deranged, and
this opinion is said to be shared by ALI
NUTS brothers a ID other relatives and by
the friends who know him best.
When the trial was postponed last
spring Mrs. Allnutts physician told the
court that it would jeopardize her life to
be forced to go upon the stand. and
Judge Peter announced that the court was
unwilling to compel her to testify IL there
was danger of serious consequences to
her.
The Indictment against Allnutt was
found by the grand jury which convened
here few days after the tragedy. The
case was not tried at the March term of
court because of the absence of several
witnesses important to the defense.