Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-10
MRS. LAFFEY IS HELD
Woman Accused of Attempting
to Rob Store Manager.
TO MEET OTHER CHARGES
Two Similar Crimes Alleged Against
Her by the Police.
COURT SENDS HER TO HOSPITAL
Held Under Bond for Action OF
Grand Jury, But Sus-
pected Of Insanity.
TO MEET OTHER CHARGES
COURT SENDS HER TO HOSPITAL

Just before being sent to the Wash
ington Asylum Hospital for observation
today. after being held in bond of 5000
by Judge Pugh in the Police Court, on a
charge Of holding up Charles hatfield,
manager Of a grocery store at 3d. Park
road. Saturday night. Mrs. Margaret Laf-
fey was accused by Detective Berman of
robbing a grocery store at 1903 Nj street
April 3 last, after she had inundated
two young woman clerks with a revolver.
The detective was in court when the
woman was committed, and declared that
Miss Susie Cook. one Of the clerks. had
identified the clothing worn by the de-
PENDANT as the same worn by the person
who pointed a revolver at her several
months ago, and then escaped after TAX
ing $40 from the cash drawer
Miss Blanche Norris, cashier of a
Sanitary grocery store at 70212 9th street
northwest. also came forward today and
identified the defendant as the woman
who entered the store where she was
had been sent to take charge. Mrs.
Laffey had been formerly employed by
the Sanitary Grocery Company and by
J. r. d. Pyles, it is declared. and was
familiar with the operation Of the es-
Establishments.
Demands the Store Keys.
Norris, the defendant appeared at the
Sanitary Companys store on 9Th street.
just about closing time, and said to Miss
Norris that she had been sent there to
relieve her. She demanded the keys to
the store, saying she would open the place
of business the next morning. She was
not given the keys.
The woman who operated at the
Georgetown store in April was armed
with a pistol similar to the weapon
taken from Mrs. Laffey, while a pad
lock taken from the woman in custody
is similar. 1t is said, to the one that
was put on the door Of the NJ street
store in April Mrs. Laffey made an
unsuccessful attempt to put a paddock
Saturday night. She failed. it is said.
because there was already lock in
the hasp.
Detective Berman furnished the as
sistant United States attorney a list
Of witnesses in the NJ street store rob-
tigate that case when Saturday nights
robbery is taken UP for investigation.
Enters Plea Of Not Guilty.
Walking slowly and heavily, Mrs Lar
fey took her place In front of Judge Pugh
in the United States branch Of the Po-
lice Court today and entered a plea Of
not guilty.
II do not remember anything about
It," said the accused woman. after hear
ing the charge Of highway robbery read.
The preliminary examination was waived
and she was held under a bond Of $4,000
to await the action Of the grand jury.
She swas then sent to the Washington
Asylum Hospital for observation.
Beyond the fact that her movements
seemed rather slow and listless there was
nothing unusual in the appearance or &C.
bench with the other prisoners she looked
directly ahead and but little impressed
by her surroundings. Facing the Judge
she seemed to be wholly self controlled
Once or twice while in the dock she wept
The defendant had consistently protest
ed innocence of all knowledge Of her al
legged crime. She and her sixteen-year-
old son. Jimmie, assert that an accident
which happened to her on q street car
several weeks ago causes her mind TO be-
come blank at times. For that accident
she has instituted q suit against the Cap
ital Traction Company for $4,000.
through Attorneys James C.. Rogers and
Gwynn w. Gardiner.
Detectives Berman and Cox. who
worked on a similar case several months
ago, when q woman, or a man disguised
as a woman. robbed the Sanitary Grocery
Company at 31O3 NJ street northwest,
have been assigned to the present inves-
tigation.
Not Retained in Hospital.