The San Francisco call., 1909-03-17
GIRL BRANDS PA
AS Her ASSAILANT
Miss Grapes Dramatically
Identifies Prisoner at
Trial

SAN RAFAEL, March 1e.-Her finger
pointing at the shrinking form of Giu-
seppe Pia. Miss Elizabeth Grapes posi-
lively identified the gardener today in
the superior court as the man who at
tackled her in a vacant lot behind the
armory on the night of February s.
When the young woman raised her
hand accusingly at him Pia flushed. put
one hand TO his face and turned quickly
away Then the silence was broken by
a huge sigh from the spectators that
CROWDED the courtroom. who had been
held tense by the expectation of the
dramatic denouement A moment later
District Attorney Boyd took up his ex-
animation and the trial proceeded as
before.
The morning session OF the trial OF
the accused Italian began with George
Richardson, the county surveyor. on the
stand AS in their cross examination
yesterday, the lawyers for the defense
attempted TO show that the position of
the lights was such that the shadow
was loo deep for Miss Grapes TO see the
features Of her assailant. They made
but little progress and finally Richard
son was excused
Miss Grapes was then called. Accom-
panied by her mother, she walked into
the courtroom.
MISS GRAPES STORY
Miss Grapes testified that she had
first gone 10 Merks grocery store
IN Fourth street, where she made
small purchase. after which she
walked UP Fifth street to point oppo-
site the rr,7 nh 81.
ing 70 the music of an orchestra play
ing at a dance. Then she was struck
twice on the head. She was knocked
unconscious and did not recover her
senses until she had been dragged 10
vacant lot near by. where all her cloth
ing was torn off by the brutal f1end.
IN a weak voice and her eyes turned
appealingly TO the attorneys. the girl
faltered through her story of the crime.
She was spared as much as possible by
both sides, and though Pia's attorneys
attempted TO shake her testimony they
did not succeed.
UNCLE TAKES STAND
Charles Goetfried, her uncle. was
next called and he testified that he had
picked up the handkerchief that was
used TO gag Miss Grapes and the neck
tie lost by the man during his strug-
giles with the young woman.
The afternoon session was replete
with surprises sprung by the prosecu-
tion. The first damaging bit Of testf-
mony was that Of Sheriff William Tay-
lor, who produced q bloody shirt worn
by Pia- When the sheriff testified that
Pia had stated that he had worn the
shirt on the night of the assault the
prisoner startled every one by shouting
No. No"
The denial created quite sensation
The gardener was only Quieted when
Attorney Simms turned and admonished
him 10 be still. Taylor then brought
forward a pair of shoes that Pia wore
the same night George Collamore. a
policeman on the San Rafael force. was
then called and he stated that the
shoes fitted the Impressions that he dis
covered under palm tree in the va
cant lot
Dr. Wickman Of San Rafael and for
mer City Bacteriologist Canny and City
Bacteriologist Ryfkogel next took the
stand and gave expert testimony in re-
gard 10 the case. They were followed
By Under Sheriff Litchenberg and De-
tective Charles Taylor, who corrobo-
rated Sheriff 1aylors statements.
The next important witness was Bas-
silia Calzisia. an Italian, who swore
that he had heard Pia tell Of a plan
10 assault Miss Grapes The defense
grilled the witness and tried to show
that he was testifying because he
hoped 10 receive a portion Of the 81 800
reward offered for the conviction Of the
guilty man. Court was then adjourned
until tomorrow morning, when the
prosecution will have in all its testf-
mony- The other side of the case will
then be heard.