The Leon reporter., 1902-12-18
PRICE CASB NOT BNDED
Gee. prloe Will Probably be Tried
Agsin, This Time for Incest.

The Mt. Ayr Record has the follow.
ing news of the celebrated Price rape
and incest case, jury at Mt. Ayr &C.
quitting Price two weeks ago on tie
charge Of rape, the prosecuting witness
being Gertrude Blackmore, the 15 year
old stepdaughter Of Price. The ease
has attracted unusual interest in this
county from the fact that Price at one
time lived at Decatur City.
Tnesc who have been following the
history Of tbs George Price case will
probably have 10 read additional
chspAers, 80 the entire history cannot
b. written until Price is through with
his other case in court There is likely
to Do Pars II Of the story yet to be
wrissen,
County Attorney Fuller has not been
in what may be called an agreeable
frame Of mind since the Jury In the
rape ease returned verdict Of acquit-
tal. The verdics was very much unex-
peeted TO him, as he believed he had a
good case against Price and still thinks
30. Price is still under Indictment for
the crime Of incest, and Mr.. Fuller
declares that he is going to do all in his
power 10 sesure Price's conviction of
this crime. II seems that the verdict
Of aeqhittal in the previous case was
only acquittal as to the one act of
intercourse which the defendant had
with the prosecuting witness, Miss
Gertie Blackmore, on the 2Sth day Of
October, 1901. The defense in the trial
of the case filed a motion which requir.
ed the attorneys for the state to name a
date on which the crime was committed
by Price. County Attorney Fuller con.
tends that each and every separate act
was distinct crime in itself, and be.
lievesi that Price can again be tried on
the charge Of rape. The court allowed
the state to prove that there we're
other criminal acts between the de-
fendent and Miss Blackmore for the
purpose Of corroborating the story Of
the prosecuting witness. The attorneys
for the state seem confident that Price
can eindicasd Tor rapssons diRerent
date than the one on whish they were
compelled to rely in the trial Of the
ease.
Miss BlackAore 10 still under the
guardianship Of Thos. Dull by orders Of
the court, pending the trial Of Price for
incest. Tho attorneys for Price con-
tend that their client was tried for the
greater offense Of the two for which hs
was indicted and that therefore being
acquitted of the greater offense he is
also acquitted Of the lesser offense. The
attorneys for the state contend that this
argument is erroneous and believe that
the court will not 90 hold. The maxi
mum punishment for incest under the
law is ten years imprisonment in the
penitentiary, while had Price been
found guilty of rape he could have
been sentenced to the penitentiary for
the remainder Of his life, or for any
term Of years, the sentence being left to
discretion Of the judge.
The question as to whether Price can
be tried for incest will be determined
by the court when the case comes up
for trial. County Attorney Fuller is
going ahead with the case. and when it
is reached, Price's attorneys will doubt.
less make motion to have the case
dismissed, or it may come before the
court in the way Of demurrer. The
matter will then rest entirely with the
court. II the court sustains the motion
of the attorneys for the defendant he
will probably not be given chance to
learn trade.
From reports received here as to the
sentiment in Monroe township, also at
Tingley and Kellerton, the verdict of
the jury in acquitting Price has not
been received with even a fair degree Of
approval. A few of Prices neighbors
insist that he should have been acquit-
ted, but the people generally as far as
the sentiment can be learned in these
communities, do not fully approve of
the verdict. The case and the moral
effect on the county has been the theme
tor discussion by ministers in Tingley
and Kellerton pulpits. One minister at
Tingey was especially vigorous in his
language declaring 80 it is stated that
the verdict was ''travesty on justice. y
The next term of court will convene
in Mt. Ayr February 9th of next year,
with Judge R. l.. Parrish presiding.
At that time County Attorney Fuller
will endeavor to get hearing on the
case of incest against Price. The pro.
ceedings in the case will be watched
with interest.
Holiday Excursions.