Evening journal., 1918-12-17
TESTIMONY STARTED
IN MURDER TRIAL
specIal to The EYenlng Journal.

Special TO The Evening Journal.
ELkION. Md, Dec. f7.-The Cecil
County Circuit Court, where Charles
HalwOrdt johnson is on trial for the
alleged murder Of Major John r. King,
architect Of the Aberdeen Proving
Grounds, last July. opened late this
morning. The delay was due TO the
tardy arrival OF a train bringing wit
nesses for the State TO Elkton.
Most OF the morning session was
taken up by witnesses for the State,
chiefly physicians from the Aberdeen
Proving Grounds. The physicians, who
performed an autopsy upon the body OF
Major King testified that his death was
caused by shock and hemorrhage due
to the bullet wound. The defense made
no objections 70 any point Of The testi-
mony.
Walter McComas. chief counsel for
the State, in opening outlined the case
from the point OF view OF the prOsecu-
ton. He said the State asked for a YER
dict OF murder in the first degree
against Johnson.
Counsel for the State said that trouble
began when Major King criticized the
contracting and dredging company. for
which Johnson worked, for looseness OF
business In carrying out its contracts.
A GOODNESS between King and the en-
ployes OF the contracting company fol-
lowed. Likewise there was a coolness
between King and his brother officers.
In May, Mr.. McComas said. the officers
gave a dance, and the contracting com
pany official and his wife were not in
vted, although Major King. in charge
OF the dance, roomed at the home Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Johnson. After the dance
King and Johnson stopped speaking 90
each other.
On July II. Johnson went upstairs TO-
wards the bathroom in his house, but
when nearly there, turned and went
TO Kings room Instead. and cursed
King, according TO the States counsel.
When he left. King followed to demand
an explanation OF the cursing, and
johnson turned and shot him, the pros
ecuting attorney said.
Stephenson A. Wright, chief counsel
for the defense, outlined the shooting
incidents TO the jury and court from
the standpoint OF the defense.
He said King, Just prior 10 the gov
ernments taking over the Hartford
County grounds. had insisted on taking
room at tie Johnsons. They were
reluctant TO rent rooms, but finally let
him have a room and he moved in i'm
medlately. johnson was then appoint
ed post paymaster, and for a time all
went smoothly.
Kings disposition later seemed 90
change from amiable to domineerlng
and surly. He asked Mrs. johnson TO
tell her husband not to speak 10 him
when they met on the grounds, as he.
King was in charge and Johnson was a
subordinate. At that time King and
Johnson stopped speaking. Johnson,
the attorney said, did not like King S
behavior In his home, and intended 10
ask him TO leave the room, but post
poned this because Of visit TO herI
father from Major Kings daughter.
Continuing Mr.. Wright said on the |
night Of July II, Johnson had told King
that he wished him TO secure a room
elsewhere. King replied that he would |
not leave until the month was up.
Later, Johnson started toward the bath |,
room.
johnson noticed that the room doors |
of King and Of another officer rooming
ts.ere. were wide open. affording view
of the bathroom door This irritated |
johnson. who went to Kings door, and
calling the two roomers bathroom
SPIES" shut both doors.
Johnson then went to his own room
and King followed. saying, ~ VIII get
you for this according to statement