The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-13
Unable TO FIX THE CRIME.
The Grand JuTy'S Investigation Of a
Jail Outrage.

Tho Assault Upon the Imbecile Girl,
Gertie Grimes, Established in the
Minds of the Jury, but no Proof as
n the Perpetrator-A Reward Rec
commended for the Arrest and Con-
viction of the Girls Assailant-A
SUGGESTION as to Insane Prisoners.
The grand jury of the superior court
rrasented it's general presentments last
night
The MORNING News recently announced
that the Jury was investigating an alleged
outrage upon the young imbocile girl
Gertrude Crimes, who is confined in the
iail awaiting her removal to the state
asvlum. The presentment relating to
the matter is as follows:
The grand jury, with deep regret but
imnelled by a deep sense of duty, present
n vour honor the occurrence of a most
revolving crime which was committed in
the county Jail upon the person of an IN
fortunate young white girl who had been
nlaced in the custody and care of the
sheriff to be held until such time as ad-
mittance could be obtained for her in the
state lunatic asylum, she having been
adiudged insane and imbecile by the
proper authorities.
This girl, not yet IA years of age, was,
while detained in the insane ward. on
about April g. most brutally assaulted
and outraged. The discovery was made
tbe same day, but not made known by the
authorities of the Jail to the county com
missiOners until the following Tuesday,
"a TOW, Il Il
fact that an outrage had been committed
clearly established. The delay in giving
notice to the proper authorities gave
ample time for the perpetrator of the
crime to Obiterate all traces that would
lead to his discovery.
The grand jury has made diligent and
laborious investigation of this matter
since it was brought to its attention, both
as a body and by individual members of
the jury, in order to fix the guilt upon the
right person, and if possible to bring him
TO Justice, but regrets to state that the
investigation has not led to the results
contemplated and desired. The mental
condition of the girl precluded the posi-
bility of obtaining any testimony from
her she being utterly devoid of reason
and comprehension.
There were three guards, who alter
mated every six hours, who had charge of
the prison and the ward in which this
girl was kept, and who had access to her
apartments. Besides the guards a colored
woman was detailed to take charge of
her. On the night, when in all proba-
bility, this crime was committed this
colored woman was locked in cell and
this poor crazy child was left unguarded
aad Unprotected This shocking affair
casts cloud over the entire management
of the Jail, and is not only 4 reproach upon
those whose duty it was to care for and
protect this.poor creature, but also upon
the county.
while we have failed to point out and
bring to Justice the criminal who perpe-
trated this heinous crime, we feel that
proper protection should have been af-
lOrded by the jail authorities, so that it
would have been an impOssibility for such
an occurrence to have happened. We call
your hOnOr's attention to this matter and
the attention of the county commission
CTS, and we earnestly recommend that
suitable reward be offered for evidence
that would convict the perpetrator of this
outrage, and we also recommend that
when it becomes necessary to confine girls
and women in the Jail for insanity, that
they have the care and protection of some
trustworthy female, so that the recur-
renee of such calamity would be impos-
sibe.n