The Washington times., 1906-01-06
MILDLY DECATUR
NOT GUILTY On
RAZING CHARGE
News of His Acqulttal
Given Out by the
Authorities.
MARZ0NI TRIAL BEGUN
Expected That Hearing Will
Run Over Into
Monday.

Monday.
ANNAPOLIS. Md. Jan. 6.-Midship-
man Decatur has been acquitted
The statement has just been made b.
the authorities,
G. H Mann. of New York. counsel
for MidshipmaI p. b Marzoni. first
class, charged with aazing Aiidshipman
Roberts, Tye and Bryant. fourth class
men. announced that he was ready FOR
trial.
After the record of yesterday was
read and approved, Marzoni arose. and,
standing by the side of his counsel. en-
tered a plea of not guilty To the charge
in each OF the six specifications.
Roberts on Stand.
The first witness called was Audship-
man Chester S. Roberts. fourth class
He recognized the accused as Midship-
man MaHzpni About month or Two
ago, witness said he was told 70 re-
port to Marzonrs room. He thought
Decatur gave him the order to report Il
Marzonis room When he got in the
ROOM 5Oll1E DatE N1iAl il-iiAs HtA44E1S "a ia
10 go into the closet and do the "16
He could not say who ordered him into
the closet, but it was Marzoni who told
him TO come out. There We're severa
midshipmen in the room at the time
but he did not recognize them.
Inquiry Testimony Correct.
He thought. however, that Decatur
was one OF them.
At this point the judge advocate sub
mitted TO the witness d copy Of the ties
timony given by the witness before tn,
special board of inquiry 1t was thl.
testimony on which one OF the speeidea
tions was drawn in the case now OF
trial Witness recognized the testimon!
and said il was correct TO the best O.
his recollection.
In an indefinite way the witness dxet
on the accused as the midshipman VII,
told him 10 go into the closet and d,
the 16. % On cross-examination by
Counsel Mann witness said he could no
fix the date on which the hazing tool
place. lie did not recognize Maroon
AT the time but learned who he wa.
afterward Witness was not willing {,
state positively that Marzoni said any
thing To him except TO come out Of tn.
closet. Witness did not consider doins
the '16' abuse.
On redirect examination by the Judge
advocate, witness said he did the Ia
for fear that something worse might
happen To him II he did not do it. Re
plying 10 a question from Captain Rees
president OF the court witness said
room s. belonged To Midshipman Deca
tur and Graves
Midshipn1s H II. J. Benson. of tn
fourth class, said the accused was Mar
zOni. Witness was in the room with
Roberts and one of the midshipmer
present ordered witness into the close
TO do the '16
Witness did not remember who told
him 10 do the 'l6
In Room os
Witness said it was room IS he wen
into. but he could not state that tn.
accused was there, but in answer Il
the question from the court witnes!
said the chances were that Marzoni wa
in the room. Witness said Roberts alse
did the .16'' In the closet
Lieut.. Com. B. c. Baker. one of tn,
discipline officers of the Academy. sal,
there was no regulation OF the Academ,
that gave any authority 10 d midship
man 10 order another midshipman /,
stand on his head or do other physica
exercises.
Midshipman B. ". I've. of the fourt
class, said the only thing he had don
for the accused was to bring his break
fast TO him. In a playful way MarzoT
had requested MIN, witness said, TO brin
his breakfast to him whenever he, MAJ
ZCni, was not there. He had done thi
for the accused about six times
Witness had with Midshipman Bryan
/ on one occasion taken up Marzoni
breakfast. He had no objection to doin
| this for him, but still he would not nav
| done it # he had not been ordered.
Were Both Friendly.
On REORGANIZATION. witness sal
that he sat at the same table with MAJ
zCni, and that the accused often talke
to him in a friendly way Witness sal
ne was from the South, Georgia bein
his home. and that it was the custom
/ the Southern people TO be clannish, al
/ that as a rule upper classmen an
! fourth classmen from the South WEI
/ friendly.
/ Counsel Mann was proceeding to as
questions not bearing directly on tf
! specifica ton when the court admOnishe
( him that the questions were d little Il
! Regular The court went into eXecutiI
session and on opening the door Captai
/ Rees president OF the court said onl
Iguestions showing that the witness an
! the accused We're on friendly tern
would be allowed. but questions OutsiC
would be considered irrevelent wi
ness said there We're many things a
iupper-class man would ask a plebe 10 {
which would not be running or hazin
In answer to the president of the cou
witness said he considered il proper
bring the accused his breakfast. To
member of the court WitHess said il ":
lagainst the regulations to take foC
from the meSshall.
Midshipman y c. Bryant. of II
fourth class. said ne had taken to Ma
zcni'g room a glass of milk on sever
occasions, lie had taken glass ,
milk TO Marzoni's room on December
Marzoni had requested witness to briu
him breakfast. a failure To do il rniel
have resulted in scmo consequence
him.
Stood on His Head.
Marzoui en- one occasion. witness sal
had stood him on his head for faiiul
to properly write the "Bazoo" Witne.
did not explain what writing the s-bs
Continued on Third Page.)