The sun., 1897-02-25
MRS. ROBERTS ACQUITTED.
LUMBERMAN MARVIN GROSS SAID
SHE WAS a PERJURER.

SHE WAS n PERJURER.
Breokiyn Jury Astounds the Ceurt-s1rs.
Roberts swore That Her Chiid was the Son
OF Cross-Ths Alleged Father Paid Largo
Hash Money, ne says, Until His wife Died.
Mrs. Frank Roberts was placed on trial in tho
criminal branch Of the Supreme Court, Brook
lyn, yesterday, Justice Gaynor presiding, on an
indictment charging her with perjury. The per.
jury, II is alleged, was part OF q scheme to col
lcct money from former Park Commissioner
Marvin Cross. who. she averrod, was tho father
Of her 15ycsrold son, Marvin.
The jury was quickly secured and Mr.. Backus
said that he intended TO show that the defendant
had been blackmsillng Mr.. Cross for years. He
said that sho had obtained from Mr.. Gross over
s12, 900 BY representing to him that tho child
was his natural son. Mr. Cross finally became
tired Of paying money TO her. and aftor his wifo
died, and he was no longer afraid Of having his
old relations with the accused made public, ho
told Mrs. Roberts he would not give her cont.
Thsn she threatened to sue him, and did begin
an action In the Supreme Court for the appoint
mont Of herself a. guardian ad Item in order to
compel Mr.. Cress to pay for the support and edu-
cation Of the child.
Mrs Roberts was dressed in black and at her
side was the boy Marvin. Thore were somo
comments In the court room a. to the boys re-
semblance to Mr.. Gross.
George A. Kingsland Of 119< Dean street testi-
ned that about fifteen years ago Mr.. Gross In
formed him that he had boon intimate with q
woman, the defendant He said Mr.. Gross was
afraid the newspapers would get the story, and
no wanted TO pay her something TO koop the
matter quiet. Tho witness gavo her sl,7Oo,
which Mr.. Cross had placed in his hands for that
purpose. The money was given to tho defendant
at 1o1 Lawrence street.
ond Of lot Hoyt street gave birth 10 malo
child on Fob. 10, 1883.
Mrs. Annie Mooney testified that orvstta
Townsend was her sister. and eleven days after
tho birth Of tho child Mrs. Townsend died. Tho
child was named Charles Orvie Townsend.
"Is this boy seated by tho defendant the samo
child you have known as Orvte Townsendr'
asked Mr.. Baokus.
THAT II the samo boy" said witness.
Mrs. Roberts was called In her own defenoo.
She said she was born In Canada thirty-four
years ago. She asked, before she began TO give
her testimony, to have the child takon from the
court room. and Justioe daynor so directed. Che
testified that Mr.. Kingsland, who had testified
for the prosecution. had called on her a. Mr..
Cross's agent He had offered 10 pay her money
II the child was not born Sho testified that
Betty schuhls was the wife Of hor brother. VII.
liam }. Townsend, and that her brother knew Of
Marvin, who was the natural SON OF Marvin
Gross, was born on Broad. near Diamond street, J
Mr cross IN 1891 HI; Her mother tooS tRo ohid
away and shs did not see II for several veeke.
The witness said that her sisters child died ON
q baby farm in brooklyn. shortly after It's
MTs Roberts then said: In order to protect
SG and hide ss, hi, SS's%ssy sO the
did this to make him legitimate IN the sight Of
'ss: tS1 a; saS :?Sss f hS
n.sI 10 saS
Isc. ny boy to u5ta Sht:-hAvins him held up as an
Letters covering q period Of nvo years were
then shown 10 the witness and were identified
By her as letters sent, 10 her by Marvin Gross
Roberts, who 1. also updor indictment on The
same ch.rs, for twelve years Her I'm maiden hdsn
fs fnosn :: small. When Il year. ear Old shc mar mar
ried Willard Pierson. but only lived with him 2
lSatt hat her e. 3 sroIhsrs child wa. born in 1858 and
hor son was born In November. 1882. sho had
9Gy 20 Litter In 70 III sSs
s9,so9. Sf which amount her mother had ro-
The boy was tSsn brought into tho court room
several occasions been out with Mr.. Townsend,
said said to 70 the DE witness: You 4. more in. FTanfi.
than mel believe you are Franhiss bay. A.
| Roberts had said she was the child's aunt
| Marvin Cross, once Park Commissioner Of
| Brooklyn, then took the stand. He IL over TO
years old. Hs said he lived At teo Bedford
ness. His wife, he said. died last year. lie
acknowledged that he was intimate with tho
| defendant In 1882, and since then had paid her
ever $4,000. The frst payment was made In
SSs s !H' FSa s
"So, sir. paid 1t on tho strength of threats"
rS Counsel s.fsd thS boy to stand up He did So
""EiSSs; = 81 AZ: ~; :, ss.asaiad @ III. Cross. &
Well, don't know" was the faint response.
why don't you know :" asked tho lawyer.
only so far as / have no knowledge that 1
! am" replied Mr. Gross.
The case then went to the Jury.
Tho jury retired at o'clock and returned at
| 9:&3 o'clock With . verdict Of aoQuittal. Mrs.
Roberts. who had been nervously Awaiting tho
return Of the jury, began 70 cry, and then hpgged
hoy EVERY ssssd e S@.ss sn aRs md
| desk, and for two minutes not word was said
| by any Of the court officials.
els there any other charge against this
| woman T. asked Justice Gaynor.
She is jointly indioted with her M husband for
After the result Of this case, said Justice
| In trying the other indietmont."
There doc. not sppear 70 be much use in try.
INF sISy.hnsJ NJ! said Mr. Ba'ku'' "At least not
Mr.. Backus said subsequently that ho expected
| tho Jury would hayo convicted the woman with.
| tho verdict.
announced. He declined to discuss 1t in any