Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-22
DR.. SHELTON FACES
METHODIST BOARD
Former Secretary First Wit
ness Against Pastor-TriaI
Is Behind Closed Doors.

The ecclesiastical trial Of Dr. William
A. Shelton, pastor of the Mount Vernon
Place Methodist Episcopal Church
South, on charges OF misconduct
brought by his former secretary. opened
this morning behind closed doors in
Alexandria, Va.
The charges preferred by Miss Carrie
A. Williams, 1922 Forty-frst street. the
former secretary, were heard by a
church trial board of Is preachers, pre-
sided over by DR.. w. E. Hammond of
Martinsburg, W. Va. DR.. Hammond
presided in the absence of Bishop z. D.
Mouzon of Charlotte, N. G., who was
unable to attend the trial which is be-
ing held at his direction.
The personnel Of the trial board was
not disclosed. but 1t is known that the
board is composed of preachers selected
from various churches In this confer
ence by the bishop.
Miss williams First Witness.
Miss Williams was called as the first
witness, but she did not take the stand
until after representative OF the
prosecution and the defense had made
an opening statement summarizing
what the respective sides expected to
prove.
Supporters Of DIR. Shelton were un-
able to conceal their pleasure when 1t
became known the trial board had
acceded to their request that such sum-
marizing statements be made. They
felt that DR.. Shelton's case would be
benefited if the board was advised prior
to the taking of testimony what the
pastor expected to show in refutation
of Miss Williams charges.
DR.. Shelton and members OF his fam
lily were first to reach the Alexandra
M. e. Church South, where the trial Is
being held. He was accompanied by
his wife, his two sons, Fred and Had
ley, and a daughter, Mrs. Mildred
Stokes. Mrs Shelton, struggling for
self-control, told reporters she had alb
solute faith in her husbands innocence
and expressed the conviction he would
be indicated of the charges when all
of the testimony has been heard.
Party of Friends Attends.
A few minutes later a number Of DR.
Shelton's close friends arrived These
included DR.. F. M. Parker, ~dean of the
Theological School of Emory Univer-
sitv. where Dr. Shelton formerly held
a chair: DR.. w. G. Young of the De-
partment of Missions of Emory Uni
versity. DR.. John Pierson of Clarendon,
va. and DR.. r. L. Russell, pastor OF
the Druid Hill M E. Church, South OF
Atlanta.
The defense will be conducted by
Rev. j. ]. Rives of the Francis Asbury
Church, and Rev. H. H. Sherman OF
the Board of Christian Education. AS
sisting them are Raymond B. Dickey
a washington attorney, and Robert H
Jones. 'jr., an Atlanta attorney, and an
uncle of Bobby Jones. The latter two
attorneys were not permitted to attend
, the trial, but were obliged to stand
outside the church and advise the two
preachers as they felt the need OF in
formation and sent out for 1t.
Miss williams arrived at the church,
accompanied by DR.. w. A. Lambeth OF
Durham. N. c.. former pastor of the
Mount Vernon Place Church, and Mr..
and Mrs. E. E. Stacy and Miss Ada
Lee Powell, who are expected to testify
for her. She was also accompanied by
her brother, DR.. c. G. Williams, den
fist, but he is not expected to particle
pate in the case DR.. Lambeth. who is
also expected to be prosecution wit
ness spent most of the morning talking
with Andrew Wilson of Washington,
CONTINUED on Page 2, Column 81