Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-22
FATHER QUINN ACQUITTED.
Him the Prosecution Gives Up the
Case.
'pondence of The EVENING STAR.

Correspondence of The EVENING STAR
ALEXANDRIA, Va, June %.
Much interest was shown here yesterday after
noon in the trial OF Father Quinn OF ST. Mary's
church, who was charged before the Corporation
Court with having committed a rape on Rose
Prutt, eleven-year-old girl. large crowd as
sembled about the courtroom. Mayor Downham,
accompanied by Justice May, who was called IN
10 assist in the settlement OF any legal point which
might be raised, were seated on the bench. Then
the reporters were admitted, and soon afterward
VIM. Pruitt and his wife, father and mother OF the
child and their three children, entered the court
and were given seats in front OF the mayor Father
quinn, accompanied by Father O'kane and his
Counsel, Capt George a. MuShbach, occupied seats
at the left OF the presiding judge.
THv LITTLE GIRLS STORY.
The little girl was the first witness called. She
was examined by Leonard Marbury, the common
wealths attorney. She gave her name ana age
and said she lived at Slater's IN the country She
said she knew Father Quinn.
Ibid he come TO see your asked Mr. Marbury.
.No, SIR" said the witness, she came out In the
country TO get the cool air."
Tell when you saw him and what TRANSFERRED
81 don't know what you mean, "said the witness.
"Nhat happened when you saw him?'
al was down at the river Shore she said "yhen
he came down there. He pulled off his hat and
coat and sat down under a tree. Presently he got
up and went around the shore my brother and
sister following him. he again took his hat and
coat on and sat down under another locust tree
Out Jncy got away ana he caught me,
threw Inc down and assaulted me. He put his
hand over my face while he assaulted me' This
she said, occurred last Friday. Father Quinn, she
said, was IN the habit OF coming out there and
usually spoke TO her.
on cross-examnation the witness was asked If
she knew several boys, but Mr.. Marbury objected,
ana the testimony was excluded.
Capt. MuShbach said that unless he could pursue
that line OF examination he did not desire 10 ask
any further questions.
OTHER TESTIMONY.
nr
the girl and said he did not think that she had
been ravished- He found nothing that Indicated
that any violence had been Used. The girl was
not well, but ne could not say whether her condi-
tion was due TO natural causes or otherwise
MIS- Prultt, mother OF the child, testified that IL
was Thursday that her daughter first complained
Father Quinn, she said, was out there Thursday
and Friday. Her daughter, she said, remained
down at the river shore ISOLATE she went alter
her. She said that she found her daughter and
the defendant IN the bushes together. she called
10 Rose 10 come home, but the child did not come
Immediately. Saturday she noticed the condition
OF The childs clothing and took her TO the doc
tor. She said that the enid had not talked with
her about the alleged assault.
An old cOl0red man named John Williams WAS
next called. lie testified that he saw Father
Quinn and Rose on the grass. Father Quinn was
lying down and the girl was playing around him
lie did not see any improper conduct.
John Jones, cOlored boy, testified TO seeing the
defendant and the girl at the river Shore tut he
saw nothing 10 Indicate any improper conduct on
the part OF the defendant This closed the testi-
mony for the commonwealth, and Capt. Mushbach
said he would FIRST call Father Quinn TO the stand
Mr.. Marbury, after a brieI conference with the
mayor, said: Il am frank TO say that the testl-
mony Tor the commonwealth fails TO establish a
case i had not examined the witnesses In ad-
vance, and therefore did not know what the tesJi-
mony would be-" The mayor then announced that
received with applause, and Father Quinn received
the congratulations OF a host OF friends.