New-York tribune., 1906-03-23
SPRIGGS FOUND GUILTY
MAY GET TWENTY YEARS.
Verdict on abduction Charge-Ben-
nett WOman acknowledges Guilt

Robert II. Spriggs. the negro politician ac-
cused Of restraining and assaulting white girls
in disorderly houses run by him, found
guilty yesterday Of a second offence of abduc-
ton, after the jury had been out only fourteen
minutes. Following the verdict Sallie Bennett,
the negress indicted with Spriggs. pleaded
guilty TO having abducted white women to fill
the houses run by Spriggs. Both were remanded
until Tuesday for sentence.
The first witness yesterday was Allen c.
Brown, an architect who identified photographs
and plans of the Cornelia street house and test-
fed that he found the rear shutters of the house
of solid wood. Patroman Henry Berbenich, who
took part in a raid on the house said he found
the basement windows locked and bolted He
said he the Warren woman in the base
ment, and later met Spriggs there He found
that the inmates clothes were locked in closet,
and that he had to break open the door to get
them. The women were arrested and later dis
charged by Magistrate Wahle. He said the War
ren woman told him that she was brought to
the place in an intoxicated condition" He said
he did not tell the District Attorney about the
case. With his testimony the prosecution rested.
Mr. Heinzelman Of counsel for Spriggs. moved
that the jury be directed to acquit on the ground
that the evidence did not warrant conviction.
This was promptly denied.
Mark Alter, also of counsel for Spriggs in his
opening address, said that the prosecution would
show that Hattie Warren was a voluntary in
mate of the Cornelia street house. He called
Spriggs to the stand and the latter testified that
he met the Warren woman in the summer of
1899 He admitted his conviction for assault
and being restored to citizenship. He testified
that he had never detained the Warren woman
in the house and that the only connection he had
with the house was to rent rooms. He denied
that he struck her and knocked out two teeth.
as the woman testified Wednesday. He said
he didn't live in the house, did not employ men
to watch the women and that the Warren
woman never asked him to be freed.
Under cross examination by Mr.. Garvan
Spriggs said he a waiter, and also fol
lowed the horses" He would not admit that he
kept disorderly house but admitted that the
windows OF the Cornelia street house We're
nailed M Garvau read the record Of Spriggs's
examination in Special Sessions on the charge
Of keeping a disorderIy house. AT that trial
Spriggs testified that he made living by keep
ing a pool and billiard parlor and by running Il
livery stable. When Mr.. GalVau asked him il
that testimony true, Spriggs said II was at
the time, but he had given up those occupa-
tiOns
Several negro witnesses testified in rebutta!
that they had seen the Warren woman in the
Cornelia street house PatrOlmau Victor J.
Meyers. who also took part IN the raid, corrOb-
Grated Patrolman Berbenichs testimony. An
similar testimony.
This ended the testimony In rebuttal. and Nj.
HeiuZelnan then asked the court to direct that
Spriggss previous conviction should be disre
garded. He said that Spriggs had been restored
20 citizenship, ana therefore could not be charged
convicted under an indictment charging sec
Ond offence. Justice COwing said he did not
agree with him. and refused 10 admit in
dictment for felony against Hattie Warren which
HeinZelman tried 10 introduce evidence
In summing up Nj. HeinzeInan said the War
ren woman had every chance 10 escape. but evi-
IDENTIFY did not desire 10 do so He said her story
fabrication. Nr GalVan, in beginning his
summing up, declared that il was not necessary
10 prove that Hattie Warren was detained
against her viii all the time between February
and July, 1905. Justice COWiug, in his charge,
said the woman entitled to the same pro-
lection as II she We're VirtuOus woman
Spriggs may receive twenty years for his
crime After he taken to the Tombs, Sallie
Bennett pleaded guilty TO the abduction charge
1t is understood that the two other indictments
against Spriggs for assault and keeping dis
orderly house viii not be pressed Immediately
by the District Attorney.