Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-03

~ NE morning in October last year n
I voice speaking over the telephone
to the headquarters office OF the
Los Angeles Police Department said that
the speaker at the other end OF the wire
had Just killed a man who had invaded
his home. The man said he was Captain
Charles l.. Stokes. lately released from the
army, and that he would await the arrival
of the officers sent to arrest him at the
home OF his wifes father. former Mayor
Of Los Angeles.
The police went at once and took Cap
tain Stokes into custody. lie led them TO
ravine, just outside the city limits. and
there pointed out to them the body Of Dr.
Ernest f. Roberts. a prosperous, widely
known physician. Tho body had been
pierced by five bullet wounds and had been
disfisurcd by blows from stout club
which lay close by.
At the trial, which has just been con-
cluded, 1t was shown that DR.. Roberts had
paid ardent court 10 Mrs. Stokes while her
husband was fighting in France and that
she had accepted his attentions Their
meetings continued after the husband re-
turned and DR.. Roberts was received by
Mrs. Stokes in her own home frequently
in the day time while her husband was OF
his business.
The testimony disclosed that Captain
Stokes had not slain DR.. Roberts In an e1.
cess of emotion, nor as the result OF
hasty impulse. Several months before he
discovered his wifes clandestine associa-
tion with the physician. and had cody
confronted them in his home. asking his
wife TO choose between them!
Mrs. Stokes protested Historically that
she could not decide between them-that
she couldn't decide which she loved best
Captain Stokes declared that in such a
situation the balance OF her favor be-
lonGed to him. her husband, and that IL
she was not fully convinced that Or. Rob-
erts was her hearts preference. then he
would use his prerogative as husband
and demand her friendship with DR..
Roberts be discontinued.
Mrs. Stokes, the testimony disclosed.
promised that she would have no more re-
lations with DR.. Roberts. DR.. Roberts HIM
self Captain Stokes testified. agreed that
he would not pursue Mrs. Stokes again.
month later. in October. Captain
Stokes returned to his home from lodge
meeting much earlier than was usual when
he attended such affairs. He saw DR.. Rob.
e.Ets's. automobile standing in front OF his
house. RE told the court that he stood for
several minutes making up his mind what
to do. Then he went into his garage and
procured II stout club. lie intended. he tes.
tilted, to give DR. Roberts a heating-but
not to kill him. lie put his revolver In
his pocket. TO have 1t handy for self-de.
Tense should DR.. Roberts prove TO be
armed
When he went TO the front OF his house
from the garage he saw Dr. Roberts Just
climbing into his car. Mrs Stokes was at
the door to wave goodoy TO her visitor
He rushed TO the car and leaped upon the
running board and beat DR.. Roberts with
the club until the physician crumbled in
his seat unconscious. Captain Stokes then
took his place at the wheel. he testified
and drove the Gar away. intending to take
the physician TO his home. On the way DR..
Roberts revived. sat up and aimed blow
at Captain Stokes and clutched ut the
wheel
The two men struggled desperately. The
automobile. unsteered. swerved from the
road and down an embankment into the
ravne When the men had crawled out
from beneath the wreckage Of the car they
renewed their struggle.
Or. Roberts shrieked at me" Captain
Stokes testified: why don't YOU give her
TO newly don't you let me have her ?
She has given herself TO Inc and IS my wife
before God In everything"
AZ that Captain Stokes los. his reason
he said. He threw aside his club and Dire "
his revolver and fred FIVE shots po!n,
blank al his enemy. Each shot took cffec,
DR.. Roberts dropped. His body relaxed
lie was dead. Captain Stokes then made
his way afoot 10 the home OF his father
in-law. TO whom he told the story of ths
tragedy. While his mother.inlaw hurr!e,
TO the honfe OF her daughter to be with he
when the news was spread, Captain Stoke:
telephoned the police to come for him.
Now. with the trial concluded, Captain
Stokes has been released. He has forgiven
his wife and has re.establ!shed his broker
home. All OF their friends were notife,
by Captain Stokes that II they desired 1,
continue their friendship they must forge
the tragedy in the past and must forgiv,
ana accept his wife as he has forgiven an,
accepted her
But the world at large will not be able
Tor some time, to forget the tragic episod
ID captain Stokes's life. because the Judge
IN setting him free. raised question which