Salt Lake Tribune | 1909-11-13 | Page 20 | Alleged Murderer on Witness Stand

ALLEGED MURDERER 01 WITNESS STAND Stripped to Waist, Greek Ex-Jiiliits Ex-Jiiliits Wounds Received in jKatal Battle. John Kothiaftia, who is.bqing tried bel'ore. a jury in Judge Lowia' division of tho district court for tho murder of Peter G0U3 is Jiingham Canyon last December, was on tho witness stand in his own behalf lato Friday afternoon but hardly got started on his direct examination ex-amination when Lho court adjourned until un-til Una morning at. 10 o'clock. it is expected that; tho oA-idencc for lho defense will bo concluded by noou today and tho caso will probably go to tho jury Monday. The wounds received re-ceived by 'Kothiaftia in his battle with Gelis Avero exhibited to lho jury ar. the morning session and explained b' Dr. I'1. 12. Straup. avJio attended him. Kothiaftia was' sLrippcd to the waist. Avlule Doctor Straup told of tho gun shot wounds, five in number, which kept Kolhiaftis in the hospital for Lavo months and almost, caused death. Ho was shot by Gctis in the right hand, in lho loll 'arm aud in tho Iclt. breast, tho latter wound being tho most serious ser-ious one. One bullet struck him in the back of the left arm, indicating that he AA-aa fired upon from the rear. This helps corroborate the statement of Kolhiaftis that Getis shot, at him first. Mr. nnd Mrs. 12. S. Allen, formerly of Bingham, but iioav residing at Draper. Avero witnesses for the defense Friday. They lived next door lo the Getis cabin, Avhero the shootiug occurred, and heard the shots fired. Nino Greek Avituesscs Avere on lho stand during lho day and testified as to the threats mado by Getis against Kolhiaftis. The defendant AA'as placed on the stajid just a foAV minutes before lime for Ihe court to adjourn' and tcstilied as lo the trouble between him and Gctis Avhich led up (o lluo shooting.