The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-05-12
Mr.. PRALL FOUND GUILTY
Evidence Shows He Tried to As
SaSSinate Mr.. Erni's Dog.
END OF A CELEBRATED CASE
Large Gathering of Fashionabies in
Court-DetaiIs of Il Threc-COrner-
ed Dog Fight Receunted-Mr.P Prail
Fined Fifteen Dollars for stopping
the Battle With a Pistol.

Judge Kimball's court this morning was
visited by number OF Washington supper
ten, both ladies and gentlemen, who came
either as witnesses or as auditors in the
case OF William Il. PraII, charged by bis
cousin, 6ustavus Erni, with cruelty TO
animals and dischargng firearms in the
street. The charges arose from the shoot
ing by MIR. ,Prall OF valuable dog owned
by Erni last Sunday Z week.
Mr.. Prail, pailid and extremely youth
ful in appearance, as he sat beside his
attorney, exhibited the greatest nervous
ness throughout the trial, and seemed
greatly relieved when it was brought 10
chose 10y Judge Kimball filming him 81 o
for the first charge and $5 for the second
Mr. Erni was the first witness called for
the prosecution. He testified that on Sun
day, May 2, iIe was walking in front Of
the Arpo, where Mr.. PraH resides, dc
coHpanied by tive dogs, great Dane and
a spaniel At the time a bull terrier, bt-
longing to MI Prall, rushed out and T.
tacked the great Dane.
The spaniel being friend OF the Danes
then attacked the btlIl, whereupen the
witness took it away 10 a place of safety,
leaving the two large dogs fighting. He
intended to come back and separate the
animals, bit before he could return he
heard report, and saw his dog on the
ground shot,
At this point Mr. Enri became dramatic,
stating that the dog fell forward on its
face with a scream of pain and writhed
and rolled in agony
The dog WAS taken home and received
the best OF treatment, but was in great pain.
II C still lives, but suffers agolics every time
he turns his head
When asked how he knew. the dog had
been shot MI Erni said He jumped and
hoped about in an ai!nless manner like
q chicken does when its head is chopped
off, and / knew that no animal would DO
that unless it had been shot"
In the course OF his testimony Mr. Erni
introduced a oolored map of the vicinity,
which he had caused to be made, and d
photograph Of his dog
ON crOss-e&amina alton he said that the
dogs had fought number or times previous
to the oae in question He denied that he
was on had terms with his cousin
Mr.. Malcolm G.. Bruce then took the
stand and testified that he lived across
the street from the AInO He had seen
the dogs fighting on the day in question.
In the midst of tlfe fight lie also heard
report, and saw the great Dane fall. AT
the same time he saw rustic among ;he
port4eres in the window 'pf the Ioctu ocCu-
pied by ar. PTau, and a movement as OF
some person ,lra wing away from the win
dow.
The next witness called was Frank Bat
terworth, OF football fame, the son OF
the newly appointed Commissioner OF
Patents. Mr Rutterworth, who stin re-
tans the appearance of one OF Dana
Gibson's heroes, appeared for the defense
III the role of an expert on dogs. He tes-
titled that the Dane was u nOtoriously
savage dog, while the teeth of the bull
terrier Were decayed. which would have
prevented him from doing any, damage
He lad examined the throat of the bulldog
three days afterward and had found severe
wounds. which looked as if they had been
inflicted by the teeth OF d dog.
Mr.. Frank showley, foreman in the
employ of Mr Prau, gave his evidence in a
careful manner.
What did Mr.. Prall say to you when he
was examining his dogs injuries" i'm
patiently asked Prosecuting Attorney Pugil
after the prisoner had lodged around a
number Of previous questions.
The witness paused a moment, and Mr.
Pngh thought he had him. He said,
replied Showley, 'the said that he was
going to New York whereat "A greatIalch
went up, at the prosecutors S discontinue
But finally after much lodging by the
witness and crOSs-ex aminiug by Mr.. Pugh,
theforeman finally admitted that Gr PraIl
had told him that he had shot the dog
Both sides submitted the case without
argument. and Judge Kimball, considering
that the offense had been proven, and that
there was no justification, imposed the
fine The defendant, when he heard the
sentence, laughed aloud and said: That S
easy"