Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-15
To Face Grand Jury on Charge
of Killing Romie Stevens.
VERDICT FOLLOWS; INQUEST
Mrs. Stevens, in Critical Condition at
Hospital, Unable to Appear.
TELLS HIS STORY OF SHOOTING
Young Electrician Declares He Pur-
chased Revolver After Threats
by Landlady's Husband.

Robert L. Thomas. who shot and killed
Romie Nelson Stevens in the kitchen of
the latters home. 33 Cedar street. Mon
day night. was held for the action Of the
grand jury by a coroner's jury this after
noon.
Thomas was shot in the face by
stevens and claimed self-defense. After
Thomas had been wounded Stevens
turned the revolver on Mrs Stevens and
hred twice. wounding her in the abdo-
men Mrs. Stevens is nov in Garfield
hospital in a serious condition
Inc inquest room at the morgue was
crowded with friends and relatives of
Ihomas and Stevens. The testimony
was to the effect that Stevens had held
Ill feeling against Thomas for some
time and had threatened upon several
occasions to drive him from the Stevens
nome and that at one time Stevens had
threatened to kill Thomas
lnomas was represented at the in
Quest by Attorneys James F. Kellv and
NJ r. Mangan. and Assistant United
states Attorney Samuel McComas Haw
Ken represented the District
Dead When Doctor Arrived.
DR.. George B. Heinecke, the first wit
ness. testified that when he arrived at
the nome in answer to a telephone sum-
mons Stevens was dead. The physician
described the wound on Thomas face
alleged to have been made with a bullet
from Stevens revolver.
Miss Ivy F. Coleman said that she was
in the kitchen at the time of the tragedy
and saw her uncle shoot at Thomas. She
said that her uncle spoke to Thomas be-
Init To cl,,
did not know what was said. The girl
also was an eyewitness to the shooting
of Mrs. Stevens by her husband
The chart of the lower floor of the
Stevens home printed in The Star yester-
day was used by Assistant United States
Attorney Hawkins in learning the rela-
tive positions of the participants in the
shooting.
Son Tells Of Fathers Threats.
lie Roy Stevens. son Of the dead man.
said that he was in the dining room at
the time of the shooting, and heard talk
ing in the kitchen. He said that his
father had ordered Thomas to stay away
from the Stevens home
About month ago. he said. my
rather told Thomas to keep away. or he
would break up the Stevens home About
a week ago my father said that he would
later he said that he could not harm his
own flesh and blood
Deputy Coroner White, who performed
the autopsy, testified that there were two
back under the right shoulder blade and
the other near the spine.
Declares Thomas Character Good.
William White Of 10 Cedar street, Ia
koma Park, testified as to the good char
acter of Thomas. The witness denied. in
answer to a question of Assistant United
States Attorney Hawkins, that Thomas
always was in Mrs Stevens company
when he was at home.
After Coroner hewitt had explained to
Thomas that any statement he might
make could be used against him, the de-
PENDANT said he would make a statement
to the jury. Thomas then took the stand.
The witness said he had been away from
the house and that when he returned Mrs
Stevens met him at the door and said
Mr.. Stevens was back and she thought
he was going to cause some trouble He
then stated that Mrs. Stevens asked him
If he had a revolver.
Il went upstairs to my room to get
some things and while there 1 put my
revolver In my pocket the witness tes-
titled.
Thomas Tells of Shooting.
The defendant said he was sitting in
the kitchen, reading a newspaper, when
he heard Stevens speak, and upon turn
ing around looked into the muzzle of a
revolver. He said Stevens shot at him
and that he fell on the chair. After
shooting at him, the witness stated,
Stevens started toward Mrs. Stevens.
who was on the other side Of the kitchen.
He said that Stevens shot at his wife and
about that time he CThomas) drew his re-
volver, and while Stevens was facing him
shot at him. The witness said he did
not know how many times he shot.
On cross-examination Thomas said he
purchased the pistol last Saturday, de-
claring that he was afraid of Stevens
He admitted. in answer to a question
OF Mr. Hawkins, that Mr.. Stevens had
told him to get out of the house, but he
later said Stevens told him he did not
have to go. He told me 1 could stay
as long as l pleased, !" said the witness,
las 1 was one of the best fellows he ever
met" =
The case was then submitted to the
jury.
End nNI0Dr[ r0MMIccI0N