Evening star., 1914-04-29
TRIAL Of v. J. FISHER
APPROACHING THE END
Believed the Case Will Be in Jury
Hands This After
noon.
Evidence Closed and Attorneys Being
Heard-Defendant Accused Of
Killing w L. Altdorfer.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ROCKVILLE, Md, April 29.-Wh hen
the trial of William J. Fisher. charged
with the killing of William l. Alt
dorfer at the latters home. In CheVy
Chase, Md, last August, was resumed
at o'clock this afternoon. after a
recess for lunch. there was every In
dication the case would be in the hands
Of the iury by not later than s o'clock
The examination of witnesses was con-
cluded Just before recess was taken al
30 o'clock. When the court reconveheo
Attorney John A. Garrett, for the prose
will be followed by Attorneys Thomas
Dawson and Arthur Peter. for the de,
fendant. States Attorney Spates vii
close.
When the court convened this morn,
ing the prosecution announced tnat II
rested its case.
Fisher on Witness Stand.
Fisher was placed on the stand by the
defense as its first witness. The de-
fendant repeated almost word for word
the testimony he gave at the former
trial
It was to the effect that when he
came home the evening S, mis, Of ReeNes sHe that
piuS ne go ~ hia roorn drunk and
that he had made improper proposals
to her.
After Fisher left the stand Drs. Hen
derson anu Anuelsou - rshar =
the Jail at Rockville and described In
flammation of the throat and abrasions
on the face. arms and body. The phy-
80 wa tha condition Of the throat
ao,,,s hava hoen nroduced nv choking
Souar.I w;tneases testified as to
$780,, GOOD character
Difficulty in Obtaining jury,
Owing to the difficulty in obtaining a
iurv tbe examination Of witnesses did
not begin until late Yesterday afternoon
na,e, and s;rtv or mora talesmen ex.
am;red many were excused because they
nod formed or exnressed opinions or be-
cause of conscientious scruples in regard
to capital punishment. The jury as nm
ally sworn IS composed OF 10y. % neniDers
u .lI tnI,an.s a5amw = Riaes foreman.
Thomas Lvddane James T. Atwood. John
w. Briggs, Jesse Mullinix, Columbus
Ward. Wallace E. Ricketts,. Joseph Read
ing, Samuel X. Bready, Wills q bur
dette. George W. Mullican ana enarles
Cooley.
In his opening statement to the jury
States Attorney Spates detailed at length
what the prosecution expected to prove
He let II pc understooa .ha. VIZ So
tention of the state is that Altdorfer. at
the time he was stabbed by t1sher, was
IN sucn a nelpieSs -. t. faanas Mn,
and that the defendant had motiFe lot
killing Altdorfer.
Thomas Dawson, of counsel for the de-
fense. declared to the jury In his open,
ing statement that the evidence would
that sha the trouble between Altdorfer and
fa; flsael ths hnnor Of Miss lillian Reeves,
Who made her home with the Altdorfers
n.:a
Representative
Representative Prouty of Iowa, who
was summoned by the defense. was the
first witness to testify. Because he had
- o.+.b an earlv evening train for the
10 ca'eii ail s .. .,,.,,
west the prosecutions "eeeu ~
him to testify out OF the regular order
He swore that he came in contact with
.,taarf.r in front Of the Columbia Coun-
Ai'uola - -. ,,-h;,. he,ore the
try tiuo e"o
tragedy and that Altoorier Was oruiih.
The witness thougnt that AIeooI :
condition was such tnat ne neeuea ipoh 1,
ing after and remained with MIN nan
an hour. He SAID tha1 Aieooiiei was ~
a very ugly nuo tha, he do Ger
witness and demanded thae ne 10 cef
tain things.