The San Francisco call., 1909-02-15
SUSPECT PA MAY
ESTABLISH ALIBI
Man Accused by San Rafael
Girl Says He Was in Hotel
at Time of Assault
Several Witnesses Ready to
Testify and Italian Consul
Asked for Assistance

SAN RAFAEL. Feb. 14.-Joe Pia. the
gardener, who was identified by Miss
Elizabeth Grapes as the man who bru-
tally assaulted her on the night Of
February 8, is attempting to osestablish
an alibi. and his statements are cor
roborated by several OF his acauain-
tances
Pia says that he was in the Cos
mopolitan hotel in San Rafael on the
night of the assault until long after 9
o'clock, talking to friends, who are now
in San francisco.
Signor California, local representa-
tive of the Italians Swiss colony, says
that he knows Pia's people in Italy,
and that the suspect comes from very
prominent family in Turin in the Asti
province. He has interested himself in
Pia's behalf and has decided to secure
| the help of the local Italian colony,
provided Pia can prove his statements.
WITNESSES FOR ALIBI
California says that Pia was in the
Cosmopolitan hotel on the night of the
| o'clock. Antonio Magnoni. another
resident of the Italian quarter. said to-
day that he talked with Pia on the
night of February 6 at different inter-
walls from 7:15 to 10 o'clock.
AT no time did either of-us leave
the ROOM" said Magnoni tonight ut
was within few minutes of 10 o'clock
when / left to go to my room to bed
Those who will corroborate the
statement of Pia that he was in the
hotel at the time the assault are. Giu-
sippi Bassoni, George Fawre, j. Geo,
Giovanni Deltraghini, Louis. Bronbini.
Antonio Bragroli. George Voninni and
| Antonio Magnoni. They have decided
to help Pia and have sent communi-
cation to Consul General Rocca, asking
him to secure counsel for the prisoner.
NEGRO SUSPECT REARREsTED
Considerable excitement was caused
early today when Sheriff Taylor rear
rested John Mills, the negro who was
first suspected of the crime and who
was released after the incarcerat ton of
Pia. Mills told the sheriff today that
he was with Pia at the Cosmopolitan
hotel on the might of the assault, but
this conflicts with his previous state
ment, in which he said he was at the
Lyric theater with a negro woman.
Mills made an unsuccessful attempt
to escape from the Jail this evening
as he was being taken from one cell to
another. He was let into the corridor
just Is Sheriff Taylor entered and saw
that the door was partially open and
only the sheriff in front of him.
He knocked Jailer Louis Hughes to
the floor and then ran for the door
At this juncture the sheriff took a
hand. He hit the negro over the head
with the butt of his revolver and
knocked him to the floor Mills arose
and again tried to reach the door, but
was knocked down again. Instead of
trying 1t again he got up and walked
quietly back to his cell.
The sheriff still believes that he has
the right man and District Attorney
Boyd expresses the same belief
QUESTION OF IDENTIFY
They give as reasons for their belief
that P1a wears the same style of neck
tie as the one found at the scene of the
assault; that he carried the same kind
of handkerchiefs; that his lips are
badly scratched. and that his shoe fits
the impression of the footprints on the
soil In the vacant lot where the as
sault was committed.
G.. Godfried, uncle of Miss Grapes
said today that he would not rely en-
tirely on the girls Identification. as
she was in a very nervous condition
and somewhat confused