Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-06
Former Policeman Faces Jury
on Wife Murder Charge.
PROSECUTION OPENS CASE
Assistant United States Attorney
Turner Tells of Killing.
DEFENSE CLAIMS ACCIDENT
Attorney for Accused Policeman, in
Opening Address, Says Pistol
Exploded in Struggle.

Eye-witnesses began late this after
noon. in Criminal Court No. /. before
Justice Wright and a jury, to tell in de-
tail of the killing of Catharine Baston
on 3Oth street northwest near NJ street
october ] last by her husband. Charles
&. Baston. former policeman attached
to the seventh precinct
The prosecution claimed in its opening
statement that the killing was deliberate,
following an extended quarrel. The de-
Tense urged that the wife died as the re-
suit Of an accident following scuffie
for the possession Of the pistol. which
she had taken out OF her husbands
pocket
The jury will be kept together and not
allowed to visit their homes during the
court recesses. as was the case in the
recent Anderson murder trial. The order
to provide accommodations for the Jury
was on the initiative OF the court, after
the opening statements of counsel.
Attorney Wilton ]. Lambert made the
opening statement for the defense. He
declared the testimony to be offered by
the defendant would show the killing an
accident. He described the nine years of
married life of the couple as most un-
ungovernable temper of the WIFE
Counsel said he expected to show
that the woman had threatened the
life OF her husband on several occa-
sions, and once attempted to kill him
with knife.
Quarreled at Dinner Table.
October ]. the date Of the killing, Mr..
Lambert said, found the couple quar-
reling at the dinner table, when the
language Of the wife became so violent
and her threats so pronounced that to
avoid trouble Baston left the house in
his shirt sleeves.
The wife followed, counsel told the jury.
and catching up with her husband at the
corner of NJ street, heaped upon him
abusive epithets. The officer turned to-
ing up to him on the side where rested
his revolver. Mr.. Lambert said, the wom-
an in a twinkle grabbed the weapon
from its holster.
A struggle for possession OF the gun
followed. it is claimed and in the melee
the pistol was exploded. The first shot
scraped his forehead. the husband claims,
and went through his helmet. Two OF
the other shots went wild and one passed
through the wife's couture. The last shot
struck the woman In the head penterat-
ing the brain and causing death.
Assistant United States Attorney
Turner, in outlining the prosecution.
stated that the defendant on the day
Of the killing came home with his
months pay, and Mrs. Baston. seeing
that he had been drinking, urged him
to turn over his salary to her for safe
keeping and to prevent him from
squandering it in drink.
The husband left the house and was
followed by the wife, who continued her
opportunities. The defendant. becoming
angry. turned on his wife said the prose-
cutor, and, remarking, kate, here goes!''
fired several shots at her.
Husband Attempts Suicide.
Mr.. Turner said the defendant then,
turning the weapon on himself. fired the
remaining shot at his own head. but, his
aim being poor, the bullet only pene-
trated his hat.
Mr.. Turner also said the defendant adj
mitted to fellow officer, who Immediate
ly ran to him that he had shot his wife,
but had made bad job of his attempt to
kill himself.
Deputy Coroner Charles s. White de-
topsy. He testified there was an abrasion
on the right hand Of the deceased.
The defense will contend this was
caused by the defendant graphing with
his wife to regain possession of the
weapon.
Attorneys D. w. Baker, w. j. Lambert
and I. Q. H. Award are representing the
prisoner, while the prosecution Is being
conducted by United States Attorney
Wilson and Assistant United States At
torney Turner.