The Washington times., 1920-05-25

In defense OIL her career, inc Elri
pleaded that in the Innocence OF her
youth she did not realize the degra-
datlon OF the life she had led. She
declared she tried to reform. but that
her husband and Landers threatened
her life. She appealed for the sympa-
thy of Judges Edward c. Peter, Ham
mond c. Urner and Worthington, who
are presiding at her trial.
During the searching cross -exami-
nation. this morning by States At
torney Thomas L. Dawson, the girl
admitted that tlmost from the day
she was married she had been en-
couraged to engage in escapades with
men so that she and her husband
could obtain money.
Because of her statements In di-
rect contradiction to those given yes
| terday under the direct examination
of her counsel. John \. Garrett, of
Rockville, the girl was closely ques-
| toned this morning by the court.
One of the escapades she admitted
occurred at Coney Island, where she
| said she lured an intoxicated man to
her room in order that her husband
could rob him.
Robbed While Asleep.
She said that when the man, whom
| she had accompa to a cabaret,
reached her room he fell asleep on
the bed and her husband robbed him
| OF $50. which he had in his shoe; a
pearl scarf pin and woman's watch.
They then left Coney Island, she said,
for New York.
| The girl told of experiences of a
similar nature with men In New
York, Atlantic City. Baltimore. Jack
sonville and Miami, Fla.
| M q q
me go over all those things. / did
not realize what was doing. My
husband and Landers had me under
their control and / did everything
they demanded"
| Although the girl admitted that her
husband was responsible for her
early career Of shame, she also said
she had ben led into disreputaole
life by Landers.
| During the recital of her expert
ences. the girl at times smiled, and
again tears welled into her eyes, par
ticularly when she was asked 10 re-
call certain portions of the confes
sion she IL alleged to have made to
Baltimore detectives.
Husband Coaches Attorney.
| All through her testimony, Mrs
ICothron apparently has been attempt
ling 10 protect her husband. Although
Yesterday when Cothron pleaded
guilty to the killing of Homer Jones
the negro for whose Staying the cou.
ple are on trial. he asserted he do
so in a desperate effort to save his
wife from the gallows; today he sal
beside States, Attorney Dawson and
coached him through the cross-exam
Iination Of his child-wife.
The defense closed its case at 1915
this noon. Arguments will begin al
2 o'clock this afternoon.
Denies Husbands Guilt.
AS true as God is my Judge, Gene
Landers, and not my husband. shot
and killed Homer jones'" Mrs. Goth.
ron declared, when testifying in her
own defense late last night.
! Mrs. Cothron, who Is only twenty
two years old, took the witness stand
against the protests OF her attorney
John A. Garrett, of Rockville.
"I must take the stand" sho said
"and tell the truth. I cannot see my
husband hang for a thing he old moi
| do, even II / have to hang In his
stead. IL he had been hanged for
killing John G. weldon, the Phila-
delphia negro chauffeur, my con-
science would be clear. But I can.
not zee the moose drawn around his
neck when I know he Is innocent Of
killing Homer Jones"
| Although admitting that her hus-
band and Landers. the latter a fugi-
tive who has been eagerly sought In