Evening star., 1949-03-21
Shot Dead, ,
Marine Hurt;
Husband Held
Estrongement Ends
In GunpIoy, With Son.
2, in Next Room

SCreeL NV. Inc Marine, III EIneT-
gency Hospital with three bullet
wounds. is Pfc. Everett Flagg, %,
of Des Moines. Iowa. stationed for
the past five months at Quantico,
Va.
Police described the shooting as
the climax of weeks of frustrated
effort on Robertson's part for a
reconciliation with his attractive
brunette wife.
Son, 2, in Next Room.
In an adjoining bedroom when
death struck was their 2-year- old
son, Dennis.
The shooting occurred about
1:30 am. Sunday. a short time
after Robertson had found his
wife with the Marine and another
couple. Sergt. Paul j. Keszewhick,
20, stationed at Fort Myer, and
Miss Nellie Pitner. "a. tenant in
the Eleventh street apartment
building.
The four were seated on a divan
when Robertson, refused admis-
sion to the apartment. broke
through the door. police said.
Without hesitating he fired
pointblank at his wife. then turned
the gun on the Marine, police re-
ported.
Mrs. Robertson died almost in
stantly when one bullet pierced
the aerta, large artery Of the
heart. Another entered the alb
domen.
PFC Flagg was shot in the chest.
shoulder and arm. Staggering to
the front porch, he fell across a
glider and lay there until removed
to the hospital.
Husband Awaits Police.
Robertson made no attempt to
fee, but was in the apartment
when police arrived. The murder
weapon was found on the porch
near the wounded Marine.
An inquest was scheduled at
1880 am. today in the District
Morgue.
From Mrs. Rachel Rayburn, "a,
of 1885 Thirteenth street NV,
sister of the slain woman. police
learned this story:
Mrs. Rayburn went to Mrs.
Robertson's apartment about 7
pm. Saturday with Robertson and
Corpl. Sam T. and Mrs. Pulley.
Corpl. Pulley is Mrs. Robertson's
brother.
Robertson had wanted to see his
child. of whom he is fond and
whom he often visited. Mrs. Rob-
ertson was not at home but at her
work at Benny's Tavern. The Wis
itors relieved Mrs. Virgie Breeder,
81, baby sitter, and while wait
ing for Mrs. Robertson to come
home. drank beer and chatted.
Wife Arrives at Midnight.
About midnight Mrs. Robertson
arrived with Pfc. Flagg and the
other couple. There were bitter
words between Robertson and
Flagg. and once they went out
side. but no blows were struck.
Later Robertson went with the
Pulleys and Mrs. Rayburn to the
latters home. Mrs. Rayburn's
husband, Charles, a restaurant
owner, had arrived there.
Robertson went alone to a rear
room and then left the apartment
in a hurry. Apparently he had
obtained a .38-caliber pistol Mr..
Rayburn kept in the top drawer
of a dresser.
Noting Robertson's anxiety. Mrs.
Rayburn asked Corpl. Pulley to
follow him. Before the latter
reached Mrs. Robertson's apart
ment, however, the shooting was
over.
Married Six Years.
The Robertsons were married
about six years ago and had lived
here four years. They were sepa-
rated two weeks before Christmas.
At first, Robertson obtained lodg-
ings in Georgetown, but about a
month ago moved into q home
next door to his wife.
Mrs. Rayburn said she and other
members of the family had sought
to effect a reconciliation, but that
Mrs. Robertson had insisted she
could never again. live with Rob-
ertson. He was just as determined
to win her affections again, she
said.
A truck driver for the Washing
ton Gas Light Co., Robertson
served with the Army in the South
Pacific during World War II.
Funeral services for Mrs. Rob-
ertson, native of Halifax County,
N. c.. will be held in Littleton,
N. c., tomorrow or Wednesday.