The Washington times., 1903-04-17
SHERIFF HARDISTY'S
TRIAL COMMENCES
Accused Of Bride Taking
and Releasing a Prisoner.
CHESAPEAKE JUNCTION CASE
Attorney Levin Opens for Prince
George County -Recites the
Charges.
CHESAPEAKE JUNCTION CASE

by Stan CorrespOnd
UPPER MARLBORO. 3Id-. April L.
The trial of Sheriff Benjamin y Hard
tsty. who faces charges OF allowing a
prisoner 10 escape from him. aeceptins
a bride, and keeping Important wit
nesses from the grand jury. was begun
tins afternoon in the circuit court with
Judge George C. Merrick and Associate
Judge J. P Briscoe on the bench.
Prosecuting Attorney Nyer levin
opening the case said thar the present
trial was the outcome Of the LIQUOR
and gambling cases at Chesapeake June
ton last summer and fall. The officers
q the law, among whom was Sheriff
Hardisty. made raid on the resort AZ
that time. and the proprietors OF the
various alleged gambling and LIQUOR
houses were arrested
Charges Against Hardisty.
SIR, Levin averred that Sheriff Har-
disty accepted brides from one or more
OF the men who were arrested. and rhat
ne let up on them" and did not enforce
the law as he should have done The
commemorative attorney also alleged
that several of the witnesses who had
been summoned knew that Harifstv had
received brides. aad if they had gone be
fore the grand jury in October and made
their statements Sheriff Hardfsty would
then have been the subject of severe
criticism if nothing more serious had
come out of IT.
10 prevent these Witnesses giving tes-
timony which, it IS alleged would have
been detrimental 20 him and his inter
esls- as well as that Of the proprietors of
the resorts. Attorney Levin saws that
F4ardisty kept the most important wit
nesses from the grand jury. and that the
proper disposition was not made Of the
eases against the pToprietors. That was
one OF the specific charges against Har-
disty.
The next charge was that Of permitting
John Hayes. one Of the prisoners. 10 as-
cape while the court was in session last
October Hayes, 1t is said. was On trial
Tor violating the liquor laws. and was in
sherin Herdisty's charge
While the lawyers we're arguing a
point IN the case. Hardisty ana the de-
PENDANT got up and went out of the
court room. presumably 10 get drink
OF water After a short while Hardisfv
returned 10 The court room without the
prisoner. and stated that Hayes had
escaped and gone 10 Washington on a
train which had just passed the station
The Governments Case.
The government expects to prove that
HardiSty went one way and Hayes the
other after leaving the court room. and
that the sherin made no attempt to cap
ture him. The witnesses say it looked
10 them as though 1T was put up
job" to let Hayes escape.
These charges were Investigate short
~ after Hayes escape. An Indictment
was returned against Rardisty. He ask
ed for trial before Judge Merrick. in
preference 20 going before d jury. Har-
disty retained George 3 NeFrick. a son
OF the judge, as his counsel
Commemorative Attorney Levin is
going 10 make a hot fight to secure Har-I
dIsty-s conviction, and expects The trial
10 last all this afternoon and all OF
tomorrow
The attachment for DR.. T. n. Bald
win. editor Of the Laurel Democrat
which was issued yesterday was return
ed today. The editor, who served on the !
grand jury, when Hayes escaped. VIII
be placed on The stand either late TINS
afternoon OF the first thing tomorrow
morning. Dr. Baldwin is said to be the
star witness for lle prosecution, but COR
some reason he did NOT wish 10 testify
against Hardlsty By his testimony. il /
Is understood Mr. Levin expects 10 !
Prove the charges zIust me accused .
sheriff
Hardisty is al present out on bond. +
He IS from CoiingloE. a littIe station (
about twelve miles rom this place. and /
II is said thar he has been Implicated /
Il other deals during ms term o. .
sfice. Rufus Vincent. prominent resi- /
lent OF BIadensbuTz. IS at present -he
shsriH Of Prince Gs5rge county. and is .
giving every satisfaction