Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-05-06
bR|bE OFFERED HER,
CARMAN MAID SAYS
Asserts Negro Detective Prom
ised Prisoner Would Pay Her
$500 to Change Testimony.

MINEOLA. n. Y. May Celia Cole
man, the negro maid who is the chief
witness for the state in the trial Of Mrs.
Florence Conklin Carman, charged with
the murder of Mrs. Louise d. Bailey,
caused a sensation on redirect eNamina-
ton today by testifying that negro de-
tective. named George Hicks, had en-
deavored to induce her to change her
story Of the murder. and told her that
if she would do SO Mrs. Carnan would
pay her $500.
Hicks came to Charleston. S. c.,
where / was spending the winter" said
the witness, "and told me Mrs. Carman
would give me $500 If I would change
my story.
Testimony Is Admitted.
Mrs. Carman's attorney objected to
the admission of the testimony, but
was overruled upon his admission that
Hicks was connected with the defense
Mrs. Carman evidenced considera BILE
agitation during her former maids tes-
timony George Toomer. Celia's cousin,
and Il man named Flood weres present
when Hicks made the alleged offer, the
witness f,frther testified.
Toomer, who was the last witness be-
fore recess corroborated that portion
of the maids testimony III which she
said she had told him few nights
after the shooting what Mrs. Carman
had said to her the night of the shoot
ing and the morning afterward.
Toomer had written down the story
she related as it was told. The mem
orandum was produced.
Repeats Former Testimony.
Celia Coleman. conceded to be the
iaf
direct examination only ten minutes
yesterday afternoon, the remainder of
the time being consumed by Mrs. Car
mans counsel in an unsuccessful effort
to break down her story.
On direct examination the maid re-
peated the testimony she gave at the
first trial that Mrs. Carman had told
her that "she had killed him." meaning
DIR. Carman. and reiterated other de-
tails. Celia testified that Mrs Carman
came to her room the next morning
and asked her not to say anything
about the shooting.
The local weather observer was put
on the stand at the instance of the
district attorney, and testified that 1t
was still light at s O'Clock the night of
the murder. MIS-. May l. Black pre-
viously testified that it was shortly be-
fore o'clock apd still daylight when
she heard the sound of falling glass
and saw a man walk away from the
Carman house. The defense claims that
the crime took place after dark.
George Colder and Archie Post. call
ers at Dr. Carnlans office. testified that
it was dark when the shooting oc-
Cured.
Says Mrs. Carman Was in Office.
The district attorney brought out
that Colder had identified Mrs. Carnan
as the woman he had seen in DR.. Car
mans office Immediately after the
shooting This woman. he admitted
having said. had leaned over the body
of Mrs Bailey and helped DR.. Carman
pick her up
Colder said he had made the identi-
flcation while testifying at the coroner's
investigation. He was apparently much
averse yesterday to testifying along
this line The district attorney after
getting Colder to admit that his recol-
lection was better then than now,
turned him over to Mrs. Carmans
counsel. On cross-examination the wit
ness said he had picked out Mrs. Car
man from group "by dumb luck"
The prosecution claims Mrs. Carman
was in Dr. Carman's office Immediately
after the shooting: the defense that
she was upstairs In her room and did
not come down.