The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-28
MElNIk0FF HELD FOR TRIAL IN
 SI5,000 BAIL Three Distinct Charges Against Assailant of
 Little Girls
HE C0iLAPSkS AT DECISION OF COURT
Policeman, Who Arrested Him, Brings Him Water As He Is About to Faint

Him, Brings Him Water
 As He Is About to Faint Clinging to the arms of his chair to
 prevent his falling when he realized Melnikoff presented a pitiable specta- cle in the city tribunal today when Judge Wilder ordered him held in bail of $15 GOO for trial in the Superior court on three distinct charges involving his misconduct towards little girls. Possible penalties in event of his conviction of all three charges against him aggregate 50 years in prison. I'm a poor man." he said, his voice waver- ing with emotion as he glanced to- wards his wife, whose eyes were moist Melnikof appeared on the verge of fainting. His face, it's natural pallor heightened by the several days growth of heavy black beard. became ashen, and his hand as it stole to the sup port of his trimbling head, shook vis- ibly.
 Moved to pity at his appearance of absolute dejection. Patrolman Hol- brook, who arrested Melnikoff just a week ago, hastened to bring him a drink of water. Melnik9fi spa fed considerable of the contents over hims self, so violently was he trembling when the policeman reached him.
 Investigation of the charge involv- ing the little Marx girl led Prosecutor Redden to decide to press the original charge, not that of attempting to out rage the child. The other charges in- volved ~ Lizzie Wasco. 107 Caroline street, now 10 years old, whom he was alleged to have indecently assaulted on Dec. 28. 1908, and Annie McHugh, now 12, of East Main street. against whom he was alleged to have made an att tempt on April 22, 1909. The statute under which prosecution was brought for the last two offences carries with it maximum penalty of 10 years inn prisonment, while that under which he was prosecuted for the indignities against the Marx girl which he par tially admitted, carries with it a 90 year penalty.
 Melnikoffs admissions with regard to the attack upon Marie Marx on Nov. g, last, were such as would no doubt have led his lawyer, Attorney E. O. Hull, to advise him to plead guilty had the same charge been made as in the other cases. but when Prose cutor Redden insisted upon the graver charge. Melnikoff pleaded not guilty. Melnikof stoutly denied that he was involved in the charges against either Of the other girls.
 Each of the three girls described in detail the conduct of Melnikoff, whom they positively identified as their as- sailant. His practice was to ask them where a rent could be secured, and when he reached a vacant house with them, to drag them into a hallway or other place suited to his purpose. and attack them.
 tempt to justify the conduct of his cl:- ent. "Any man who has committed any such offence" said he, whether he is my client or not, should have a prison sentence of many years" Hull argued, however, that the more serious ranted by the facts and that the other two cases were not well enough estab- lished to warrant Judge Wilder in finding probable cause Melnikoff denied all but. the Marx case.
 Marie Marx, who is only six years old, Policeman Holbrook. Mrs. Marx, the child S mother, pr. Budau, and Captain Arnold testified in the Marx case.
 Lizzie Wasco. now 10, testified to an assault committed on Dec. 28, 1908, when she lived at 566 Crescent avenue. She identified Melnikoff and said he followed her from the offices of the Bridgeport Brass Co.,, where he was waiting with other men to get em- ployment, and overtaking her asked for various streets. When they reach ed a vacant house in Hallett street he dragged her inside. clapped his hand over her mouth, and attacked her. He gave her two cents and a pocket mirror, and sent her home, threatening to kill her if she told what had happened. She told her mother, and at the time gave description of the man, including big scar on the jaw which distinguished Melnikoff.
 Annie McHugh. aged 12, testified that Melnikoff dragged her into a va- cant hallway in Sterling street. April 22, 1909, and she broke away from him as he prepared to attack her, and made her accept two cents, threaten ing to cut her throat when at first she refused the money. He fled with her in pursuit and escaped. He was ar rested week later when she pointed him out to Michael Connors at whose home she was visiting. East Main and Walter streets, but not held. for at that time the police had only the tes- timony of the little girl, as opposed to an alibi that Melnikoff established But the police in view of subsequent events believe that the girl was not mistaken. She based her identifica- tion in great part upon the big scar on Melnikoffs jaw.
 Melnikof claimed to have been em- ployed by the American & British Mfg Go. when the assault on the Wasco girl took place. also when the McHaugh assault was committed and that it would have been impossible for him to be away from work He denied having attacked either of them. But the children were just as positive as he.
 Owing to the tender age of the Marx girl--six years-counsel for Melnikoff
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