The Washington times., 1920-10-03

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 wne's father, former Mayor
OF Los Angeles.
The police went at once and took Cap
tain Stokes into custody. He led them to
a ravine, Just outside the city limits, and
there pointed out to them the body OF DR..
Ernest e. Roberts, prosperous, widely
known physician. The body had been
pierced by Ave bullet wounds and had been
disfigured by blows from stout club
which lay close by.
At the trial, which has just been con-
cluded, II was shown that DR.. Roberts had
paid ardent court to 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 DIR. Roberts was received by
Mrs. Stokes In her own home frequently
In the day time while her husband was at
his business.
! The testimony disclosed that Captain
Stokes had not slain DR.. Roberts in an ex-
cess Of emotion. nor as the result OF a
hasty impulse. Several months before he
discovered his wife's clandestine associa'
ton with the physician, and had cody
ia hot, In
wife to choose between them!
Mrs. Stokes protested Historically that
she could not decide between themv-that
she couldn't decide which she loved best.
Captain Stokes declared that In such
situation the balance of. her favor be-
longed to him, her husband, and that II
she was not fully convinced that DR.. Rob-
erts was her hearts preference, then he
would use his prerogatiye as husband
and demand her friendship with DIR.
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-
erts,s automobile standing in front OF his
house He told the court that he stood for
several minutes making up his mind what
to do. Then he went into his garage and
procured stout club. He intended, he tes-
tilted, to give DR.. Roberts beating-but
not to kill him. He put his revolver in
his pocket, to have 1t handy for self-de-
tense should DIR. Roberts prove to be
armed
When he went to the front of his house
from the garage he saw Or. Roberts just
climbing into his car. Mrs. Stokes was at
the door to wave good-by 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 car 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 at the
wheel.
The two men struggled desperately. The
automobile, unsteered, swerved from the
road and down an embankment into the
ravine When the men had crawled out
from beneath the wreckage of the car they
renewed their struggle.
"Dr. 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 me and is my wife
before God in everythingp"
At that Captain Stokes lost his reason,
he said He threw aside his club and drew
his revolver and fred five shots point
blank at his enemy. Each shot took effect.
DR.. Roberts dropped. His body relaxed.
He was dead Captain Stokes then made
his way afoot to the home Of his father
in-law to whom he told the story OF the
tragedy. While his mother-in-law hurried
TO the home of her daughter to be with her
when the news was spread, Captain Stokes
telephoned the police to come for him.
Now, with the trial concluded, Captain
Stokes has been released. He has forgiven
bis wife and has re-established his broken
home All OF their friends we're notified
by Captain Stokes that IL they desired to
continue their friendship they must forget