Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-31
CORONER'S Jury
HOLDS WIDOW IN
WILLIAMS KILLING
Weakened by Worry, So
Year-OId Woman Not Placed
on Stand to Testify.
HER STORY is SAVED"
FOR THE GRAND JURY
Confession" Made to Police Con-
cerned Alleged Refusal by
Husband of Money.

Her strength Slapped by worry, Mrs.
Myrtle Lenora Williams, SO years old,
sat quietly in a chair at the District
morgue this afternoon and heard read
coroner's jury verdict holding her
for action of the grand jury Tor the
fatal shooting Of her husband 10 days
ago.
Because of her weakened condition
and the fact that Mrs Williams is
subject to frequent heart attacks, De-
Tense Attorneys E. Russell Kelly and
H. VI. WEIGH waived their right to
place the woman OH the stand to give
her version of the tragedy in which
Claude G. Williams, SIS, lost his life.
True Side Not Offered.
I'VE made no effort to present the
true side of the case at this time in
view of the damaging statement Mrs.
Williams signed for police IN her hys-
tericaf condition Immediately after the
shooting" WEIGH told. reporters after
the inquest. I'VE are saving our story
for the grand jury"
The statement referred to by WEIGH
was the one obtained by Detective w.
S. Smoot and Pvts. z. H. Hinson and
E. c. Rhue Of the tenth precinct sta
ton, Immediately after the shooting
July 81 in the Williams third-hoor
apartment at 3541 Tenth street.
Denial Of Money Related.
The signed confession to the shoot
ing told of the arrival of the williams
in Washington on June 81 last and
how the husband had denied Mrs. Will
liams sufficient money for household
expenses, until finally, driven to des-
peration, she had shot him.
Williams died Tuesday night in the
Emergency Hospital as a result of the
shooting. His wife, Frustrated by news
of his death, was placed under arrest
at the home of friends in Arlington
County and brought to police head
quarters, where a murder charge was
placed against her.
The statement, admitted in evidence
after much wrangling between As
sistant District Attorney Irwin Gold
stein and defense counsel, was read to
the jury by Detective Smoot.
Defendant Appears Dazed.
Mrs. williams sat as If in a daze,
touching a handkerchief to her eyes
occasionally. as the officer unreeled her
story of the tragedy and the events
leading up to the shooting.
In the confession Mrs. Williams ex-
PAdAANA tAAdb 11CA AuoOdIlu dItu Sic lldO
come to Washington from Florida ex-
actly one month before the shooting,
with $500 in his possession.
He had been drinking on and off
since our arrival, and he gave me but
ST." the statement read ION Satur-
day he remained away from home the
greater part of the day, and when he
returned his face was swollen and his
eyes were bloodshot.
IT told him that could not live in
the attic of this house, as the heat was
around ITO degrees. He told me would
have to live there or else find another
place"
IT told him I would find another
place, but he would have to give me
some money. He again refused and
dressed in his best clothing. Then I
went into the pantry and In q dish I
found his revolver which had placed
there on Saturday, having taken it
from his bureau drawer on Saturday,
July 19, while he was drinking.
Il walked to the door and fired one
shot at him. After saw that he was
bleeding bathed mis- head and went
to the phone and tried to get In touch
with police and also a doctor"
Following the inquest Mrs. Williams
was helped into police car and driven
to the District jan, where she win be
held until ready for arraignment before
the grand jury.