The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-30

The preliminary trial Of Edwin T. Shea,
sheriff of Prince George County, Nd
William Shea, Herbert hatcher, William
Todd Fox, and Leo Smith, charged with
criminal assault upon Lucy Hart, was
held yesterday in the county court
house at Upper Marlboro. The result of
the hearing was the commitment Of the
accused to the county jail at Marlboro,
In the custody of Samuel p. Sweeney,
elisor of Prince George County, TO await
the action Of the grand jury.
The appointment of an elisor, spec
ial officer with authority to take into
custody the sheriff of the county and to
exercise the duties of his office over him,
IS q provision OF the Maryland law TO
cover the possible circumstance of
criminal charge being brought against the
sheriff.
The grand jury convenes at Upper
Marlboro tomorrow at 1880 o'clock. II
is the purpose of States Attorney Levin
to bring the assault case to the attention
of the grand jury at its first days sitting
in order to avoid delay. In the event
that the prisoners are held by the jury
an early date for trial will be set.
1t is probable that the action of the
grand jury, If the accused are held for
trial, will be followed by the removal
of the prisoners to Baltimore. The State
witnesses who will be called before the
grand jury are Lucy Hart, her father,
Frank Hart; her mother. Mrs. Annie Hart,
and her two nieces, Annie and Fife Gun
ningham.
The official position occupied by Sherin
Shea, the prominence of the families Of
the others accused, and the Nervousness Of
the crime which they have been charged
with committing has created unusual in
terest in the case. The alleged crime, II
IS claimed was committed on the after
noon OF Sunday last. at about o'clock,
near Beltsyille, Prince George County, Nd.
The story, in brief. as told by the alleged
victim, is that she WIS dragged into the
bushes by the accused, and, under threats
of death was assaulted by all OF them.
The defendants appeared for preliminary
trial Friday. but the hearing was post
poned until yesterday on the request OF
States Attorney William NJ. Levin.
On the Same Train.
The train leaving Hyattsville at o'clock
yesterday morning and arriving at Marl-
bofo shortly after 10 o'clock brought the
five men accused and the alleged victim oil
the crime Lucy Hart was accompanied by
ner father, her mother, her sister, Nettie
Hart. and Mrs Gwennie Throm. A number
of friends accompanied the defendants.
Sheriff Shea and his companions, after
presenting themselves at the court house,
mingled with the crowd about the build
ing Here many Of their acquaintance
spoke 10 or shook hands with them, but
for the most part they remained to them
selves talking In low tones.
At 1870 court was convened with Mag
istrate Edward T. Sears. justice OF the
peace, on the bench. Charles H. Stanley
appeared for the accused. James c. ROg-
ers, who had been associated with Mr..
Stanley as counsel, was reported TO be III
and did not appear. States Attorney Levin
had charge of the case for the State. The
court house wac rapidly filled.
When the States Attorney called the
mother Of the alleged victim TO the stand
the attorney for the accused Mr. Stanley
demanded the exclusion OF all other wit
nesses from the court room, and the pros
eeuting witness, Lucy Hart whom tho
State announced az the only witness who
would be called, withdrew.
Mrs. Hart testified that on the day OF
the alleged assault she had despatched
her daughter, accompanied by Annie and
Efiie Cunningham, on an errand TO thu
house Of neighbor Mrs. Linthicum. Thii
was the afternoon of Sunday last. Ate