The Washington times., 1906-11-01
WRIGHT'S DEFENSE
ON IDENTIFICATION
Trying to Prove Miss Rise
ley Was Mistaken in
Selection.

Following tie closing of the case by
the prosecution at the Alexandria court
house yesterday, Attorney j. +. Glenn
menJs today took up defense of John
Wright. alias Joseph Thomas, colored,
who is charged with criminal assault on
Miss Mabel Risley, while she was in
company with Forrest GoodinS, near
Four Mile Run. An effort was made
by the defense 10 show that Miss Ris-
leys identification of Wright in the Dis
rtict Jail was made after she had previ-
ously identified another cdlored man
known as Alabama" Captain Edward
:. Ransdcll. captain of the watch. AT the
United States Jail at the District of Co
lumbia. was the first witness
Captaln Mathews ana Policeman
Woods. OF the Fourth precinct. were eN-
ciuaed from the room. Attorney Gle
ments refusing To go ON with the ease
until all witnesses were outside. Com
monwealth Attorney Crandal Mackey
objected on the ground that these wit
Eesses would only be called rebuttaL
Captain Ransdall's Testimony.
Captain Ransdell said that he knew
the prisoner at the jail as John Wright
He was at the jail when Policeman
Woods Miss Risley, and Goodng call
ed for the purpose of identifying Wright.
lie instructed one or the guards 10 bring
wright out and line him up with six
other negro prisoners.
Fointng 10 tlenry Johnson, known as
Alabamh, Miss RisIey said, Il think
that Is the man" Moods then sad
that can't be the man. Witness said
tHt oIilcer went up and talked 10 " right.
saying. DID you ever see this lady be-
tofe. Then Miss Risley looked ar
Wright ana SAID: Il think you are the
man your voice Is very familiar
Attorney Mackey then took up the
cIoss-eNdmlnai Of Captain Rausdeli.
lie brought out that after identifying
AldbtInd, Miss RlsIey Immediately
ldenuned Wright when she heard MIN
5l,g4H' 5lLta asked II he sad; There is no
doubt. ihat he is TIE man." Captain
Ransdell empnaticaIiy denied that ne
ndd made anT sucn remark.
captain Rdnsdell denied that he had
soid any one that II was a good ideuti-
ilcdtlon. he also said he was NOT al
ne lai when Miss RIsley and Gooding
called on the following Sunday An re-
ply 10 question from Attorney Glenn
thts ne stated that 10 mis- knowledge
ar. Mackey had never called at the
Testimony on Cross Examination.
The cross-examination of the witness
was then taken up by the defense. Cap
tain Rdndell admitted that Woods went
TO a telephone in the jail when he came
back. another colored man was brought
out for Miss Risley 10 see There was
no Identification. however. He then told
the jury the rules Tor identification OF
prisoners at the Jail Attorney Clements
then asked II Wright had been properly
identified, when MIss EIsIey first went
into the jail. His answer was No"
lie admitted, however, that she had
ldentlned him later without having talk
ed OF communicated with any one
ne ldenLhcatOn, he said, was
after Wright had been asked Did You
ever see me befOreF"
The second witness was James Corri-
gan "a guard Of the Jail.
lie was present when Policeman
W Gods. Miss Risley. and GOOding came
20 the jail and said he brought Wright
IN with seVera! other prisoners for Miss
klS.ey 10 Identify. He said that she
first identih, # Al tnama' and kent ter
eyes on hin until the prisoners were
about 90 be returned
-AtJorney Mackey. then crossed exam
med the witness. lie said Miss RiSIey
did not Identity Wright. but later ad-
mItted ne heard her say. Your voice
Is very familiar
Given a Fair Chance.
Judge Nichols asked him if Miss Ris-
ley had been give a fair chance to iden-
tifv the man. He said she had.
Captain Ransdell was called 10 the
stand again and questioned about the
position of the men IN the line
Whe brought to the bar this morning
wright showed nervousness and strain
under which he was laboring. That
considerable interest in the case is evil
dent by the number OF spectators from
Washington and Alexandria county who
were present when court convened this
mornlg