Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-25
MANN CASE IS CLOSED
Midshipman Charged With
Hazing at Annapolis.
THE WITNESSES EXAMINED
Details of Custom of Getting Under
the Table.
MANN DENIED ALL CHARGES
Court Asked to Allow Questions on
Matters Other Than Those In
Specifications Refused.

OF MlQSnlpmaE hlcnard II. Mann, presl-
dental appointee, was continued this morn
ing. Several additional witnesses for the
defense were examined.
There Is not the slightest indication that
the end of the hazing cases is in sight.
Charges have been filed against Ned lie
Roy Chaplin, first classman from Pasa-
6ena, Cal, and George H. Melvin of Cen
eseo, ILL.,. of the third class
AT the opening of the court this morning
Midshipn1an Richard R. Mann, being the
accused before the court. it was announced
that Midshipman Geisenger must answer
as to what midshipman had ordered Wey-
ier under the table. He said that Mid
shjpman Ned L. Chaplin had given the or
der. The witness then said that he had
missed few meals during the early part
of the year but that Mann had not put
Weyler under the table while the witness
was present He said also that only tirst-
class men rated putting a fourth-class
man under the table.
1t was also brought out that Mann and
Chaplin were only at the table together dur
ing three meals.
f. II. Henderson, midshipman of the Sec
ond class, said that he sat at the same
table with Mann, Chaplin and Weyler Mann
did not give the order for Weyler to get
under the table, the witness said. The wit
ness said he was positive that Chaplin had
been at the table the whole time, but later
ii
training table some weeks when the matter
called to his attention. Weyler may
have been under the table when the witness
vas absent, he said.
Mann Denied Charges.
Alidshipman Mann was then called to the
stand and denied absolutely all the facts
alleged in the specifications.
Before beginning his cross examination,
Judge Advocate Harrison cited authorities
to show that the court could find the ac-
cused guilty of hazing and acts covered
by the specfca tions provided the charge is
esta blShed. He, therefore, asked the court
to allow him to question the accused as to
other matters than those mentioned in the
specifications.
The court ruled that the examination
must be confined to the acts set forth in
the specifications.
Begun at Annapolis Yesterday After
noon.
At2 o'clock yesterday afternoon the court
martial took up the case of MidshipLnan
Richard r. Mann at Annapolis, member
of the first class and a presidential ap-
pointee, the charge of hazing against whom
being supported by three specifications. 1t
is alleged that he caused Fourth Classman
Robert FL. Bennett to do the Sixteenth
and the leaning rest;" George L. Weyler to
get under the table, and Horace w. Nor
dyke to stand on his head and do the six
teenth."
Mann had as his counsel Messrs. f. 8.
Theall of Washington and James NJ. Mon
roe of Annapolis. The counsel demurred to
the specifications on the ground that they
did not sufficiently set out the offense of
hazing, but it was overruled by the court.
After Mann had pleaded not guilty to the
charge and specifications the trial proceeded.
Fourth Classnan Bennett was the first
witness He stated positively that Mann
had made him do the Sixteenth a, mod
crate number of times, and also caused him
to stand on his head. However. he said
that he could not remember doing THE
leaning rest" AS this was specified, his
testimony was a surprise to the prosecu-
ton. He was firm on this point. however,
hut was equally firm that Mann had hazed
him in the other ways. On cross-exanldna-
tion he reiterated the statements with even
greater assurance.
Horace w. Nordyl1e testified that Mann
had ordered him under the table during a
meal on one occasion and that he had
stayed there for about five minutes. He
also corroborated q part of Benrsett' 8 teSti-
mony as ITO THE lanter's hazing by MANN
NorS1yke was cross examined very rigidiy
as to the degree of certainty with which he
heldthat Mann had ordered him under the
Table lie was very uncertain as TO the
time and other details of the occurrence.
but stuck unwaveringly to his declaration
that Mann had ordered him under the
table !
Midshipman George L. Weyler of the
~IOurln class SAID that Mann hau given
him some verses to learn by heart, and
he had been unable to learn them because
of the press of his studies Mann had
then, he said, made him do a number Of
physical exercises. among which were to
stand on his head and do the Sixteenth"
Fourth C'lassman Homer A. Bagg was in
troduced by the prosecution to prove that
Weyler had told him shortly after the oc-
currence that Mann had hazed him. There
was objection to the admission of this
testimony, but 1t was allowed, and he
made such a statement
The prosecution rested its case at this
point
The defense introduced a number of wit
nesses to prove the good reputation Of the
accused.
Midshirman William P. Geisenger OF the
third class stated that he remem-
bered an occasion when Nordyke had been
ordered under the table and that 1t was
not Mann who had given the order On
cross s-examination the judge advocate asked
him who did give the order. ~and he answer
ed bluntly, That's not fair question
reprimand him for his answer and insisted
ON a reply to his question.
After a consultation the court adjourned
until today leaving 1t unsettled whether
Midshipnlan Geisenger would be compelled
to answer the question.
James M Munroe made the argument in
defense OF Mann He claimed that the evil
dence OF the prosecuting witnesses had
been uncertain and indefinite and that the
positive denial of the accused outweighed 1t.
No remarks were made by the judge ad-
yocate and at 1.2O the court was closed
for the consideration of a verdict 4