The Washington times., 1922-07-28
'BRANNEN IS
HELD IN Va,
SHACK CASE
Alleged Slayer Remanded
Without BaiI-Witnesses
Tell of Blows on Woman.

Charged with the murder OF
Mary Copperthite, forty-fOur
years old, whose body was found
in a shack on Little river, near
Rosslyn, Va, Thomas J. Brannen,
forty-eight years old, Of 1925 Po-
tomac street, was held today with
out bail, after being given a pre-
liminary hearing before Acting
Trial Justice Harry r. Thomas
In the Fl. Myer Heights court
house.
Coroner Tells OF Bruises.
The most important witness was
DR.. B. II. Swain, Of Ballston; coun-
ty coroner, who testified that an
autopsy showed bruises and finger
nail prints practically all over the
women's body, and a fracture Of the
skull which could have been caused
by a blow from a fist.
Witnesses said they saw Brannen
strike the woman several times while
she was sitting on a bench in front
Of the shack. When she attempted
TO arise, she was struck and knocked
down, according to William Jones,
colored, eleven years old, who lives
in a shack nearby. He said he was
standing on his porch when he wit.
messed the attack.
Leo J. Vaughn, Of 1896 o street
northwest, who said he was one Of
the party, declared that while he was
visiting Mrs. Louise Sherer, who
lives in a shack about 100 yards
from where the body was found, he
was approached by James Haworth.
Of the Soldiers Home, who told him
that Brannen was beating Mrs. Cop
perthite. and asked him to go to her
assistance.
Says He Struck Brannen.
Vaughn said he hurried to the
shack and found Brannen holding
the woman. apparently to prevent
her falling, he said. He struck Bran.
nen on the jaw, he further testified,
knocking him down, and the limp
form Of the woman fell to the ground.
At that time, Vaughn said, she
was devoid of clothing save for her
shoes and stockings. He and Ha'
worth carried her into the shack
and laid her on a bed, covering her
with a blanket.
Mrs. Adelaide Rhodes shortly
after the body was taken into the
house said she found the woman's 9
thirteen-month-old baby boy cry
ing in a field adjoining the shack.
She placed II beside the mother, she
said. Vaughn declared that after
the woman had been placed in the
bed nothing was done to aid her,
and the party Joined in a drinking
bout. He said that two half-gallon
LnI
been purchased and consumed dur
ing the evening and night.
The fact that Mrs. Copperthite
was dead did not become known
until daylight, early last Friday
morning. when Vaughn passed
through the room. He says he saw
the woman's left eve had been dis.
colored and that blood was tricklinE
from her mouth. Placing his hand
on her forehead, he found II was
he claims, asked well, what are
we going to do about it," and
Vaughn replied he said: "I am
going to notify Sheriff Andrew
Clements"
Sheriff Found Brannen.
He then hurried to nearby
freight station, he declared. and
notified Clements by telephone.
Clements and his deputy. Zeb Kines,
came to the shack, but Brannen had
disappeared. They located him In
the woods about mile from where
the murder was committed. evidence
revealed.
Following the hearing, Common.
wealth Attorney Frank L. Ball asked
Judge Thomas to issue a warrant
for the arrest OF Adelaide Rhodes on
a charge of maintaining a disorderly
house.
Brannen, who had discolored
left eve, made some remark In an
undertone to the colored youth who
was a witness, and the accused was
cautioned by the court. Judge VIII
lam c. Cloth defended Brannen. The
attorney did not ask that bail be set
II is probable that the case win &C
naNnl.GRs