Montgomery County sentinel., 1889-02-08
A serious Charge.-David Asid, an

A Serious Charge.-David Asid, an
Arab pedder who was committed by JUS
tice Davidson, on the charge of an assault
to commit a rape on Mrs. Laura Pyles, re-
siding near Concord, on the 10th Of January
was brought before Judge Vinson on Mon
day upon writ of habeas corpus. The
charge being of serious nature, quite a
number of spectators were present during
the trial, Edward Peter, States Attorney,
appearing for the State, and Hon. George
Peter for the defence.
Mrs Pyles recognized the prisoner and
testified that he came to her house on the
afternoon of the 10th about half past one
o'clock. She was out of doors when he
came. He followed her into the house, and
whilst there made improper propositions
and took improper liberties which she
promptly repelled and threatened to call to
her assistance her husband. That the mans
conversation was in plain English, and that
he could speak English perfectly we'll.
Richard Pyles, the husband, testified as to
when he met Asid at Bobinger's, on the
Aqueduct road, OF his arrest of Asid; that
Asid could speak the English language, un-
derstood all he said, Asid's proposition to
| give up his box and let him go home, and
his running away and his subsequent cap
ture.
| VIM. Pyles testified that Asid had been tn
his home and could speak the English Ian
guage very well. That he had ordered him
away.
John Trundle testified that Asid had been
to his place, he was at the barn at the time.
Asid spoke the English language very well
had no difficulty in understanding all that
he said, he told him that he wanted nothing
| he had to sell and ordered him away. A
little while after he went to Mr.. Gingell's, a
boy came running to the barn and said that
a man was at the house who was going to
kill Mrs Trundle. When Mr.. Trundle got
to the house Asid had run off That he
learned from Mr.. and Mrs. Sylvester Jones
afterwards that Asid had been to their
house, told of his fall over the fence and
the breaking of his box and spillng of his
little articles that he had for sale That Mr.
and Mrs. Jones would if present testify to
this effect-of this he was positive as they
had 50 told him.
The accused testified, John Abbood Koo
re acting as interpreter, that he was in
Washington on the 10th of January and
that the day on which he was arrested was
the first trip he ever made in that section
of the county. The wife of Asid also testi
fled that he was in Washington on the 10Th
OF January; went out peddling that morn
ing about O'clock aud returned on the af-
ternoon about 4 O'clock.
John Loch, testified that the prisoner
stayed all night at his home the latter part
of January, that he could not understand "a
word he said and made signs in order to
make himself understood, he was satisfied
the man could not speak the English Ian
guage DR.. Maddox said he had been called
to see the prisoner whilst in Jail, but he
could not speak any English. Mr.. Stallings
the jailor, testified to the same effect, that
the prisoner had aroused his attention in the
night, wanted something but he could not
make out what he wanted.
Father Connolly testified that he had call
ed to see the accused on Sunday afternoon,
was satisfied he could not speak the English
language, that he trie him in three different
languages, neither OF which be could under
stand.
1t was also in evidence that the man had
only been in the country four months
and that he was selling those articles that
Catholics usually purchase. That he courl
name the price oi any thing by counting
upon his fia5ers and indstlnctly name the
articles he hal for sale.
AT the close of the testimony Judge Vim
son concluded to hold the prisoner to bail
for his appearance at the March Term OF
Court TO 5000 bail for feonious assault
which he readily furnished, DIR. 9. J. Mad
dox and Father Connolly becoming his sure
ties.
1t was very evident that the accused had
the sympathy ot aim ,st every ua: pri,,.nt.
Col. VIM. Kilgour will appear with Mr..
Peter in the defence at the March Term.