Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-29
TRIALS OF CRIMINAL CASES.
Maximum Penalties the Rule in Local
Option Indictments.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star,


ROCKVILLE, Md, March %, 1901.
The trial of criminal cases began in the
circuit court here this morning with
Judges Henderson and Motter on the
bench. of the cases on the docket the
following number were marked for trial at
this term: Violation of local option law,
Al: assault with intent to murder, >; as
sault Il; burglary. .; forgery, 4; perjury,
!: carrying concealed weapons. .; larceny,
3: obtaining money Under false pretenses.
1: bastardy I; statutory taking, =; Statu-
tory breaking. ].
The greater portion of the day was de-
voted to the trial of local option cases.
Judging from the sentences imposed in the
cases in which convictions were had today,
maximum penalties will be the rule, and
there is every Indication that the term
Will prove disastrous TO those ViOlatOrs of
the local option law against whom indict-
mCntS are pending. In three of these cases
disposed of today the highest penalty-S3OO
and cOsts-was imposed. In two others,
each first offense, the lowest penalty
$50 and CUStS-WaS imposed.
The first of the cases tried today was
that against Charles o. Brill, manager of
the Rock Spring Club, on the Conduit road
between Washington and Cabin John
bridge The testimony showed that this
Club house was visited by Wilson E.
Brown. agent for the Mont gomery County
Anti-SalOOn League, who purchased bot
tie Of beer from a cOlOred waiter The de-
Tense was that Mr.. Brill was simply an
employe of the club, and that either the
directors or the man who actually sold the
beer should have been indicted. The jury
promptly returned verdict of guilty. Mr.
Brill pleaded guilty in similar case in
which Mr.. Brown again appeared as prose-
cutting witness. The highest penalty was
imposed in each case
Richard Smith. colored. of Rockville was
convicted OF having sold liquor to John
Stevenson. also colored, and was given the
maximum punishment.
carl Blaubock, proprietor of the Great
Fails Hotel, was also tried upon the charge
OF violating the local option law. In this
case MIR. Brown testified that he purchased
whisky and beer from a young lady en-
ploye at the Great Falls Hotel. The state
however, failed TO prove that BIaubock
had any connection with the hotel and the
defendant was acquitted
John Mack. colored, was convicted Of
having sofa drink of whisky to a colored
woman. 1t was shown that he dispensed
ms liquor from a bottle which he carried
about with him. He pleaded guilty In an
other case In consideration of the Of
lenses being his first ones the court i'm
posed the lowest penalty-$50 and costs or
Six months In the Maryland house of o.
rcctiOn-in each case.
James Gdnley, merchant at Rovd's
against whom an indictment for the same
offense was pending, failed to answer to
his name when his case was called for trial
and his recognizance-s2O0-was forfeited.
Other cases disposed of were the follow
Ing: State against Ernest Warfield; pleaded
guilty TO statutory breaking. and was SEN
fenced TO the Maryland penitentiary for
two years. State against William Davis.
larceny; pleaded guilty and was commit
ted 10 the Maryland house of refuge State
against John Simms, forgery: plead guilty
sentence suspended. In this case the de-
PENDANT forged the name of Mrs. r. G.
Nariieid upon Rockville merchants for
goods Owing to his youth and previous
good record. sentence was suspended dur
Ing good behavior.
In each local option case In which the
agent of the Anti-Saloon League appears
as the prosecuting witness the league gets
che-haIt or the informer's share of the fine
imposed ~