Evening star., 1923-06-17
SON KILLS MOTHER,
FAILS IN ATTEMPT
TO TAKE OWN LIFE
George De Brodes, George
town Graduate, Also Planned
to Kill Sister, He Says.
SHOT PARENT TO KEEP
HER FROM GRIEVING LOSS
Pair Had Just Reached Capital and
Were Seeking Room When
Crime Committed.

Crime Committed.
George de Brodes, twenty-five years
old. Georgetown University Law
School graduate, shot and killed his
widowed mother. Mrs. Frances Galitz-
ina de Brodes. siXtytwo years old. in
g. boarding house at III street
Hortheast, Late yesterday afternoon,
then missed taking his own life only
because the revolver he held to his
head did not explode when he pulled
the trigger, according to his state
ment 20 the police.
DE Brodes told the police, they de-
Clared. that he was despondent and
decided To take his life. but felt he
could not leave his dependent mother
helpless. Only an hour before her
death. police say, the mother had
proudly called the attention of an ac-
ouaintance to her son, saying that
she was 80 happy now that he is
with me-"
Had just Reached City.
Mrs. de Rrodes and her son arrived
In Washington from New York city
at 2:40 o'clock yesterday afternoon
The train was met by Miss Mary
Bayes, of 1853 P street, an employe
of the Department of Justice and a
friend of the family. who later was
the only known eyewitness of the
tragedy.
After leaving the Union Station the
three went looking for room. Late
in the afternoon they arrived al the
street house, and found no one
present. They entered a room on the
second floor, Miss Bayes told the
police and were awaiting return of
the owner, when de Brodes suddenly
opened his brief case, produced a
revolver. and started toward his
mother. In the excitement. Miss
Bayes said. she could not tell whether
he had possession of the revolver or
whether the mother had it, She
heard two shots she said, and ran
from the house.
De Brodes himself told Policeman
Lawrence II. Legg, who with Police
man Irwin L. Bridges, was first on
the scene. that he had placed the re-
volver to his mothers head to make
certain of her death.
Policeman Bridges fell across the
form of the man. sprawling on his
back, with his hands tearing at his
throat. who was crying:
oh, My God! Is she dead? I'd felt
better if l knew she was dead and
not suffering" He wrested a revolver
from the man.
Finds Woman's Body.
Meanwhile. Legg had run into the
front room and found Mrs. de Brodes
lying on the floor. He called for the
Casualty Hospital ambulance and
could not get it. The Emergency
Hospital vehicle responded, and Mrs.
de Brodes was pronounced dead.
De Brodes was taken to the ninth
precinct. where a charge of murder
was entered against him. In the pa
troll, en- route, he asked Policeman
Legg, whether his mother was dead.
Upon being informed that she was, he
is reported to have said: I'm glad
of it He also is alleged to have
expressed a desire to put out of mis-
cry" his sister Pauline, who is lying
in Providence Hospital today, con-
yalescing from a recent operation.
Ninth precinct police obtained a de-
tailed statement from de Brodes ad-
mitting the shooting. Every precau-
tion was taken to prevent an attempt
at suicide.
After de Brodes was placed in a
cell police activities centered upon a
search for the only known eyewitness
Miss Bayes. About 8 o'clock last
night she came to the ninth precinct,
voluntarily. She said she had rushed
to the home of sister of de Brodes-
Mrs. Percy Cox. at so Bryant street
northwest-and found her not at
home. She then went to find Mrs.
Philip G. Walker of 2236 Q street,
another sister, and discovered that
she was in Alexandria, Va, at the
bedside of a sick child. She went to
Alexandria to notify Mrs. Walker.
She said that she had known the
family for three years. She was deep
ly affected by shock and DR.. Herbert
J.. Martyr. deputy coroner, did. not
demand her detention as a material
witness.
The body of the mother is at the
District morgue. An inquest will be
held early in the week
De Brodes gave an address of 228
West 5Sth street, New York city. Po-
lice obtained the address Of III West
10th street, New York CITY, as the
recent address of the mother.
De Brodes was meHnber of the
Student Officers Training Corps at
Georgetown during the war
Police believe the reason de Brodes
himself is not dead is due to a
miscalculation in loading the 3S-
calibre revolver. There are five
chambers in the revolver. In only
four of them were, cartridges found.
Police advance the theory that when
he placed the revolver to his head
10 take his own Me as ne stated. the
empty gap in the ring of cartridge
filled chambers, fell under the ham
mer.