Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-31
ASHBRIDGE WAS SLAYER
OF CAMDEN JAHER, NOT
THOMPSON, JURY HEARS
Convicts Tell of Attack and
Escape, and Try to Put
Blame on Condemned
Man
MURDERER ON THE STAND

dozen or more witnesses in the trial
of George T.. Thompson, charged with the
murder Of Isaac Hibbs. turnkey at the Cam
den county Jail, testified today that the bul-
let which killed Hibbs was fred by Wilson
Ashbrfdge, Thompson's companion In the
escape from the jail last July.
All Of the witnesses were inmates of the
Camden County Jail at the time Of the kill
ing of the Hibbs Especially favorable to
Thompson was the testimony OF Thomas
Green. who is awaiting trial for the murder
of man in Blackwood, n. ].
Green said 81 saw Ashbrdge point his
revolver at Hibbs and say to Thompson,
Shall I drop HIM? l heard Thompson
reply Here there, don't do that.
Thompson's sister, Mrs. Norman Massey,
was in the courtroom, and she smiled when
she heard the evidence favorable to her
brother.
Joseph Beck Tyler. counsel for the de-
fense told the jury he intended TO produce
evidence TO show that Ashbridge misrepre-
sented TO Thompson concerning the method
that was TO be pursued in making the es-
cape from jail.
Il will show" he said that Ashbridge
told Thompson that he had II all fixed with
Hibbs for the escape But Thompson knew
that this was lie when he saw Hibbs's 8
face when Ashbridge pointed the revolver
at him. A e.
81 will also show that Ashbridge threat
ened Thompson with his life II he did not
participate in the escape 7 shall offer
testimony to establish that Ashbridgs' made
previous attempts TO escape, and threatened
TO kill other prisoners IL they told about
his plans"
Ashoridge was the first 90 take the stand.
He said Thompson told him he had better
procdre revolver, as they would have more
Of chance to escape with weapon OF
some kind.
He said that he procured the revolver,
but when asked where he had obtained 1t
he refused to answer.
when Hibbs came into the cell" he
said. Thompson hit the turnkey on the
head with a piece of a broomhandle. Hibbs
said Don't do that and reached Tor an
electric button to notify the office. Then
Thompson grabbed my hand and the pistol
held was discharged. IL was an accident.
had the pistol only as bluff. an had no
intention Of killing anybody"
Humbert DE Medci. Lerory overly. John
Sinclair Levy Fletcher, who were inmates
OF the jail at the time Of the murder. testi-
fed that they saw Ashbridge fire the shot
that killed the turnkey. r..
Charles Smith. another inmate, said:
"Ashbridge shot Hibbs with his left hand.
know he is left handed because played
cards with him." ,T'--,
within an hour after the trial had been
eaIeld the jury had been chosen and AS
sistant Prosecutor Wellington Butler had
opened the case. Two Of the jurors were
among those who convicted Ashbridge of
the murder of Elizabeth Dunbar. an ac-
tress last week. Butler, said the State
would show that the jaii delivery was
premediated and that Thompson was the
head Of the plot TO escape.
He finished his plea with demand for
the conviction OF Thompson for murder In
the first degree with the death penalty.
Thompson was calm throughout the pro-
ceedlngs, choosing the jurymen with the
aid OF his mother and sister Just as though
ne were an outsider called for that pur-
pose. Distinguished by q black thread that
hung from his eyeglasses TO his ear, he
sat beside his counsel, Joseph b. Tyler