Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-04-08
LAWRENCE
FACES JURY
Former Soldier Arraigned
On the Charge of
Murder
ACCIDENT is CLAIM
Walker W. Campbell Al
legged to Have Been Shot by Prison
er While Resisting Arrest.

The trial of James H. Lawrence
an ex-soldier, indicted for shooting
and killing Policeman Walker W
Campbell on the night of the 14th OF
( last February, took place today in
the Corpoation Court. The prcsecn-
ton was conducted by Common
wealth's Attorney Howard w. Smith,
and Leith S. Bremner, of Richmond,
Va, was counsel for the defense.
But few spectators were present.
Thirty-six vehire men appeared,
and after the usua? questions had
ben propounded by tne court, the
jury was selected as follows: +.
Francis Downham, Ralph A. Steele,
| Charles w. Entwislc, Smith NJ.
Chauncey, Oliver P. Stone, Grafton
Trenary, Charles E. Kell, Joseph X.
Williams, H. J. Burke, Henry E.
Harris, Andrew D. Deeton, and c. W.
| O'Meara.
Witnesses were then called and
sworn.
None appeared for the defense,
Mr.. Smith subsequently presented
the case of the commonwealth, and
was followed by Mr.. Bremner, ccun-
sci for the prisoner.
The witnesses had been excluded
from the room and called in sepa-
| rately.
Dr.. R. c. Bailey was the first
witness. He described the nature of
| Campbell's wound.
Policeman Padgett followed. He
told of Lawrence breaking a bottle
at King and Washington streets,
the latter's arrest by Officer Camp
bell; witness went TO the dead Off
| GERS assistance; Lawrence proceeded
until he reached the centre of the
square between st. Asaph and Pitt
streets; Lawrence then refused to go
with the officers ;tussel took place
and witness heard the explosion Of Z
pistol: did not know Campbell had
been shot until the latter informed
him; deceased told witness he had
secured Lawrencc's pistol; prisoner
was under the influence Of liquor.
Doctor r. j. Yates, who was called
into consultation at th hospital, told
of participating in the prellmarieS
Of the operation upon the deceased.
Dr.. NJ. D. Delaney followed. HIS
testimony was concerning the nature
of Campbelps wound.
Sergeant Wilkinson subsequently,
took the stand. Witness was at
King and Columbus streets at the
time of the shooting. Heard the
smash of bottle; saw Campbell ar
rest Lawrence ;saw Officer Padgett
| ioin deceased and his prisoner; heard
a shot and drew near the trio;
Campbell told the sergeant he had
Lawrencc's pistol; had proceeded
over square before witness knew
Campbell had been shot; was told OF
the shooting by Officer Durrer;
Lawrence was wearing his empty
holster which witness took off him;
prisoner was half drunk; Officer
Durrer handed witness Lawrence
pistol after Campbell had been taken
~ the hospital.
Officer Durrer was the next witness
Heard report. of a pistol while at
King and Washington streets; saw
Officer Campbell and Padgett witt
Lawrence; went to officers assist
ance: Campbell handed witness
| Lawrence's gun; deceased was placed
i, an automobile and taken to the
| hospital; witness recognized the pis
| tol.
| officer Gill stated that he was a
the station house at the time OF tn
shooting; assisted in searching tn
prisoner; latter made no statemen
concerning the shooting.
| w. P. Campbell, watchman at tn
Potomac Railroad Yards, stated tina
Lawrence appeared at the yards a
night previous to the shooting
prisoner had been drinking and hal
liquor with him.
Chief Goods later took the stand
He visited Officer Campbell after tn
latter had been shot; deceased befor
the operation said: "They have go
me; | am gone;" his mind was clea!
Officer William Campbell state
that he is a son of the deceased; to-!
of statement his father made at tn
:. hospital which was ruled out by tn
court.
Z Lawrence was then placed on tn
, stand. He said he is "a years oiq
was born in Texas; was discharge