The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-06-30
BLACK CONVICTED.

Accused Positively Identified by Several
Witnesses-MotiOn Made for new Trial
Girls Evidence Taken in Chamber.
William Black, colored, was tried before
a tribunal in Part end OF the Criminal
Court of Baltimore, Friday last on the
charge OF criminal assault upon Miss Jessie
Bradford, of Aberdeen Hartford county.
The prisoner was found guilty of the crime
for which he was tried. The penalty for
the crime is hanging. Immediately after
the verdict was given ex-State's Attorney
Duffy made a motion for new trial, on
the ground that the Identification OF Black
had not been complete. The court sus-
pended sentence until the motion shall
have been argued and Black was taken
back to Jail.
ponement asked FOR by Mr.. Duffy on the
ground that Blacks wife, a very important
witness, was not present. The Court de-
cided to go on with the case and sent
to Baltimore.
After examining plot Of the ground
around where the assault was committed,
the Court called Miss Jessie Bradford as
witness. Her testimony was taken in Abe
ante-room. 1t was with considerable re-
luctance that the witness told her story
and often broke down and cried
After the examination Of Miss Bradford
Joseph L. Kelly, the Baltimore and Ohie
freight conductor who saw the assault from
his train, was called. He gave his evil
dence in straightforward manner which
the court was unable to shake in the least.
He identified Black as the man he saw the
day the assault was perpetrated. Mr..
Kelley saw the assault from his train and
as he could do nothing to aid her he hastily
scribbled a note which read ''Nigger out
raging white girl" and threw it off OF
Aberdeen station to the telegraph operator.
AS he threw the note he pointed in the
direction the crime was being perpetrated.
Mr.. Edward Bradley, father OF the girl
was then called to the stand and testified
that he came home soon after his daughter
had related the occurrence to her mother
and at once formed posse Of men to search
for the man. The start was made from the
place the assault took place and the tracks
led directly to Blacks house. When they
arrived at his house the negro had departed
but they followed his footprints and would
probably have overtaken him had not night
made it impossible to follow his trail.
After these witnesses several others were
called then George Bradford, an uncle OF
the victim testified to having found a white
sweater, in the house which he searched.
This was the clothing Black was said to
have had on the day OF the assault
Susie Black, the prisoners wife, was the
first witness placed on the stand for the
defence. She said th&b her husband left
home on the afternoon of February u and
went to Baltimore to secure WORK. she
did not know of the assault upon Mics
Bradford until the posse Of men came TO
the house in search Of her husband.
Blaol, was then placed ON the stand in
his own defence. He denied the assault
and said he had never seen Miss Bradford
until the day she came to the Eastern Pen
Tertiary to identify him. He said he did
not have on q white sweater Oh the DAY he
left home. Upon crosa-examination he ad
mitted having served on eight-year term in
the penitentiary On charge similar to the
one With which he is now charged.
This cloaed the evidence for both sides
The Court retired and we're in consultation
about five minutes when they returned to
the bench and she verdict Of guilty was
announced.