The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-12
JO,rPH CLARh'S CRIMT.
Sent to the Penitentiary for Nine Years for
Assault.

ALEXANDRIA, VA. Feb. 1.-THE
courthouse was crowded yesterday TO
hear the case of Joseph Clark, charged
with felonious assault upon his thirteen
year-Od sister-in-law. Ada Jinckins. The
prisoner was brought into court neatly
dressed iu a black suit Of clothes, ana
after taking his seat began TO read the
Bible. His father. mother. ana wife sat
beside him during the trial
The first witness WAS the victim OF the
alleged assault
Notwithstanding the fact that the little
girl had appeared before Col Is. hcmper.
a notary public of This city. and made an
affidavit 10 the effect that her evidence
before the Mayor and Grand Jury was
false she told the same story before the
court and jury yesterday that she told in
the Police Court and 70 the Grand jury.
Her description OF The assault was ter
rible. and during her testimony the crowd
in the court room several times gave vent
TO their feelings. until Judge Norton III
tcrrupted the proceedings by siasng that
If those present should again interrupt
the court he would clear the room.
The girl said she had been urged 10
make the affidavit contradicting her pre-
Nious statement upon the advice OF the
mother OF the prisoner. and also 10 make
q similar statement 10 Mr.. w. L. Graves.
"a merchant. which she aid. Upon cross
examination by Mr.. Brent she said that
tho prisoner had always provided for her
since she had been here, hut had never
ATTEMPTED liberties with her before. Mr.
William Zimmerman told OF clark s call
Ing at his house and asking for Ada. she
az first refused 10 20 with him, but AFTER
ward consented. Upon her return 10 the
house witness declared that her clothing
was covered with mud.
The defence was that Clark was drunk.
and as be was going down the NH thtt
leads to the Mulberry lot with the little
"a D.. eli Sal
frightoncd When she returned 10 Mrs.
Boach's residence I'm an excited condition
she related what had occurred. she was
then advised by friends 10 procure "a
warrant for his arrest. The defence also
denied that any effort had been made
on the part Of the prisoner or his friends
10 coerce the little girl into making am
affidavit They put hut one witness upon
the stand. the mother or Clark. who SAID
that she had made no suggestion 10 inc
child whatever relative TO what she should
do.
Al this point the case was rested. and
arguments by the counsel were begun.
The Jury retired and after being out for
one hour and fifteen minutes returned
"A verdict OF guilty as indicted. They
fixed the punishment at nine years IN
the pcnitentiary. and the Judge sentenced
the prisoner. \ motion for a new trial
was ovorruled by Judge Norton. hut
stay Of judgment was allowed In order
that CounSfl cOu4d prepare an appeal
Clark's wife who was sitting near by
him when the verdict was announced. was
almost Frustrated with grief and IN sobs
that could be heard all over the court
room. threw hcr arms around the prison
or and cried bitterly To make the scene
more affecting the father OF the prisoner
who has the respect of all who know him
approached the prisoner, and. placing his
hand upon his head. invoked the blessing
OF God upon him. He impressed a kiss
upon his forehead and advised him. after
telling him he had done all ne could for
his welfare. 10 lead a Christian lie while
in prison.
The prisoner is only twentv-three years
old and when sober was looked upon as
a good citizen.