The Washington herald., 1909-02-14
GRAY ASKS COURT
FOR His FREEDOM
Demands that Maj. Sylvester
Explain His Arrest.
CHARGES AGAINST DETECTIVE
Asserts that Charles Evans, who
Took Him into Custody, Practiced
Deceit, Fraud, Triekery, and False
Representafion-Seeks Relief from
Accusation in Habeas Corpus Action.

OGen 3. Gray, arrested SATURDAY I Cd
ruary 6. yesterday applied TO Justice job
Barnard. fthe District Supreme Court
for a writ Of habeas corpus, directed to
Maj. Richard sylvester, superintendent Of
police.
The writ Is asked for the purpose OF
ascertainlng the authority upon which
Gray was held, and the nature Of the
charges against him. The writ also
charges Charles Evans, Central Office de-
tective. with deceit, fraud. triekedy, and
fsluse representation.
Charles l. Simms and CrandaH Mackay,
Commonwealth attorney for Alexandria
County, Va, appear SIS attorneys for
Gray
Restrained Of Liberty.
The principal charge in the writ is that
the petitioner Is 'unlawfuIly restrained
eof his liberty IN violation Of the laws
md Constitution OF the United States
Set forth In the paper are the follow
Ing statements;
That on Nay p. 1907, Gray entered
into the employ Of the Washington Loan
and Trust Company as an individual
boOkkeeper in its banking department
He served faithfully, he says, until jan
usTy 15. 1903. when he was notified by
Harry G. Mems. treasurer Of the cor
pOration. that certain charges affecting
his character and standing had been
made TO the president OF the company
which affected his integrity.
On this date. Gray says, he was direct
Cd 70 remain al home the next day and
was sick. After tAis. Gray alleges he
sied every means 20 learn when he
should be expected 10 return TO duty. on
Friday, January 3. 1893. he received a
telephone message from the treasurer Of
the company telling him TO report at the
Office Of John Joy Edison, president OF the
Institution, al 80 O'Clock January g.
On January 90. Gray claims. he report
ed TO Mr. EdSon's Office. and by him
was told the names Of persons who made
the charges against him. He says he
had a long and friendly talk with Mr..
Edison. who told him the truth or fsisity
OF the statements were being investigated
by the treasurer. and asked him 10 report
10 him az 1880 o'clock on Wednesday.
February 3. On this cay, he says. he
called several times and was unable 10
see the president, being told he was busy
Petitioner heard no more from the
Washington -sOan and Trust Company
until February ;. when. according 10 the
writ. he was asked to report to Mr.. Ed
son at 1870 O'Clock on the following
morning
Locked in a Room.
When he arrived at the Office and was
proceeding 10 Mr.. Edison he was inter
rupted, he says. by Boyd Taylor, assist
ant treasurer Of the company, who asked
him into room When inside, the door
was locked. he asserts and he was con-
fronted with Detective Charles s. Evans,
Of the central Office. who began 10 ques-
ton him Gray claims 10 have answered
the qsestions Of the detective until his
manner and language became "coercive,
insOient. anad personal respecting his
family affairs. and peculiarly offensive
IS affecting the honesty Of the petition
er's wife" whereupOn he refused 10 an
swer further queries
Gray claims lie was then placed under
arrest without any warrant or other
legal process. and while petitioner was
still IN the room. where he had been
locked and confined by the said Boyd
Taylor" The detective then ''immedi-
and against his viii to accompany him
10 detective headquarters. where your
petitioners was searched and detained.
and conveyed in a patrol wagon to the
First precinct. where he was confined IN
q cell without any knowledge or notice
OF any charge or charges aaginst him.
and without any warrant or any process
Of commitment whatsoever
Ready for FFearfar
Gray charges that upon his release he
learned from his wife, that during the
time he was confined in a cell. Detective
Evans and the said Boyd Taylor, had pro-
ceeded 20 the home OF your petitioner and
by fraud, deceit, trickery, and false rep
resentation to the wife Of your petitioner.
had obtained access to house Of your
petitioner. and thereupon. without search
warrant oor ther due and legal process Of
law. had forced themselves into the rooms
OF the dwelling house, and home Of vour
petitioner, and by means Of the keys that
they obtained from your petitioner. fore
ibay and against his viii. while he was in
custody, without legal process. had
opened his safe, drawers, and other re-
eeptacles Of his house and ransacked the
same"
II is recited that Gray appeared in the
Police Court on February g. and an
nounCed his readiness to meet any
charges that might be made, and upon
the demand OF his counsel the petitioner
was shown warrant He was then in
formed that the government was not
ready for hearing. and petitioner would
have 10 wait until February .. when an
examisation could be had.
The closing paragraphs OF the petition
set forth that the petitioner is wholly
innocent Hearing on the writ has been
set for February le
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