Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-10
Dexter Dayton Declines to
Take Stand in Own Behalf
During Inquest.
MISS 0'DONNELL'S SLAYER
MUST AWAIT INDICTMENT
Former Insurance Salesman Still
Refuses to Retain Lawyer to
Conduct His Defense.

Dexter Churchill Dayton, IS years old,
was held by coroner's jury to the
grand jury shortly after noon today
for the murder by strangulation of 23-
year-old Marjorie Lucy O,Donnell. The
young defendant, who has refused to
retain lawyer. sprang surprise when
he declined to make statement in his
own behalf.
Dayton previously had made volun-
tary and complete confession to police,
in which he detailed the incidents
leading up to the death some time
Tuesday morning of Miss o'Donnell In
an eighth floor room of the Hotel
Roosevelt, on Sixteenth street at Florida
avenue.
During the course of the hearing this
morning, Dayton sat with bowed head,
and shielded his face from the gag. of
curious spectators with his hand. His
only outward show of emotion came
when Lieut.. Joseph c. Morgan, chief Of
the homicide squad read the farewell
note, which Dayton wrote to his mother,
after he had killed the Girl and was
sitting on her bedside trying to steel
himself to commit suicide.
When the lieutenant repeated impas-
stoned passages of the young mans let
ter. Dayton sank forward in his chair
between two police officers and his
shoulders moved convulsively as he
bowed his head in his hands.
Text Of SIayer's Note.
The dramatic note which precipitated
a sensation IT the trial follows, in part:
I am going to kill my sweetheart
and then myself. God knows love her
Perhaps We may find happiness and
mutual understanding in death or In
out her love, don't care to live. How
hate myself for the pain I have in
flioted upon her.
Soon I will start drinking again to
get up sufficient Dutch courage to kill
myself. If only I could not see the
appeal in her dear eyes. Godi MY
heart is broken. have nothing to
live for now. Nietzsche is wrong. No
man Is or can be q law unto himself.
sweetheart and with my thoughts any
longer. will be with you soon. Marcy.
sweetheart. I can hear your sweet
voice calling, Coming, dear I am
wearing little bracelet Of my darling-s.
and she has my watch. Please don't
remove CneU.
My jealous rage was aroused. I wish
my love had died q quicker, cleaner
death. God, forgive us both and receive
us both"
Can't Recall Letter.
The missive was unsigned and DAYTON
later told police that he recognized his
handwriting, but that he could not re-
member having written the words. It
Is believed he framed the message while
In a Semi-stupor
Another witness before the inquiry
was DR.. Joseph D. Rogers, deputy coro-
ner, who performed an autopsy upon
the body yesterday morning at the Dis
trict Morgue.
DR.. Rogers testified that death was
due to strangulation, the result of
asphyxiation. He said he found bruises
and small scratches on the right and
left side of the neck, and that the body
bore evidence of death at some hour
perhaps IL hours previous.
Assistant Attorney Present.
The District attorneys ONCE was rep
resented by an assistant, Arthur G,
Lambert, VINO asked an occasional uues-
tion, but for the most part contented
himself with the statements of the
various witnesses.
Roosevelt Hotel, identified a photostatic
copy OF the register on Monday. He
pointed to an entry at IL 80 am. show
ing j. H. and r. G. Burton, Baltimore"
and said that Dayton had registered
under that name. He pointed the de.
fendant out and said he was the same
man who came into the hotel, and
secured room. The clerk testified that
Dayton told him he was expecting q
brother later in the afternoon. DAYTON
had hand grip. Wilson said, and ap-
prently wS sober when he presented
himself at the desk
Wilson was followed 20 the stand hy
Lorenzo Jones, colored bellboy at the
Roosevelt Hotel Jones said he was on
the ground-f1oor lobby of the hotel
about 2:50 am. Monday when the
elevator was summoned to the eighth
floor. He took the elevator to that floor
and there was met by Dayton, with the
words: Il have just killed my sweet
heart and want you to call the police. =
Jones said he thought he was being
kidded at first, and got into his elevator
and started 1t downward. He caught q
glimpse of Daytons face, however, and
changed his mind about the seriousness
Of the occasion, reporting the matter TO
William w. Bowman, house detective.
Bowman was next to testify. He
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