Evening journal., 1911-05-15
PARK ASSAULT
CASE in COURT
State Begins Prosecution of
B. A. Williams on Serious
Accusation
WOMAN TESTIFIES
AGAINST PRISONER

Bennett A. Williams. a young white
man was placed on trial in the Court
of Oyer and Terminer today on the
charge of felonious assault upon Mrs.
Laura Clickener. The following jury
was empanelled:
John P. Cooper, Fobert Lee David
son. James f. Coyle, Robert A. Gam
BILE, Frank w. Morrison. William L.
Derickson, Prince A. Mousley, Clar-
ence B. Cox, William H. Blake Robert
Douglas. Harry S. Woodkeeper and J.
Paulson Chandler
There were many challenges before
the jury was drawn. Jurors challenged
by the defense were: Henry Smith,
Joseph B. Talley, John r. Francis,
Walter Johnson, Joseph Shaw, George
H. Crawford, William b. Armstrong
John r. Bracken. Lee d. Sturgis,
Thomas l.. Reynolds, James 3. Owens
Joseph S. Hamilton, Corolton Bryan,
Francis L. Carpenter, Edward Murray.
Louis BrintOn, Linton Springer, Geo
Porter. Franklin Pennock
BY the State-Michael A. Roach
Samuel Kershaw, Robert J.. Chadwick.
Robert Reed, Jr., Harry f. Baker, Will
liam J. Johnson.
These were excused for having con-
scientious scruples-William G. Nes-
bit, John Price, William A. Lindsay,
Edward Candy John S Lattomus
Loomis o. Wise, Abram Moore, VIII
liam p. Hall, Timothy Mooney, Frank
Mcclure, Thomas Maloney, James w.
Phillips. William Black, J. w Taylor
and John b. Meaney were excused
from service because they had formed
an opinion as to the guilt or innocence
of the prisoner.
There are two counts i'm the indict-
ment against Williams. Deputy At
torney General Wolcott. i'm opening
fer the State, said the alleged offense
was committed on the night Of Janu-
airy % in Brandywine Park Mr..
Wolcott said that on the night in
question the prosecuting witness and
Edward Johnson were in the park
and were seized by members of a
party of men. Johnson was assault
ed and ran away, and when he reach
ed Delaware avenue he reported the
assault to officer Hahn. Mr. Wolcott
said Williams had admitted to officer
Wardle that he was in the park and
saw Johnson assaulted.
Mrs. Laura Clickener was the first
witness called, and identified Will
liams as one Of the men she saw in
Brandywine Park on the night of
January 25. She said she and John
son had been sitting I'm a summer
house at the foot of Jackson street,
when she saw other men pass. She
said the men were crawling and she
and her escort started to leave the
place. After going a short distance
she said she was grabbed by the neck
by Williams and Johnson and thrown
to the ground. Witness said VII.
liams dragged her to bench and
then threw her to the ground. Wit.
ness said she cried for help, but de-
spite her resistance she was overpow-
cred and assaulted. Witness said three
other men were standing on the
walk. Later these men ran away
Witness testified that Williams and
another man later dragged her down
the hill and Williams again assaulted
her.
The defendant is represented by J
Frank Ball and Robert H. Richards
To Mr. Ball witness said she and hei
escort were on their way that nigh
to see a friend on Wawaset street
but as they were delayed they walk
ed to the Van Buren, street bridge
and went to the summer house Tn,
six men she saw crawling were OF
the snow and It was by the light o
a., the snow she recognized Williams
Witness denied making a number o
statements to several persons regard
ing the case.
Edward Johnson corroborated thi
woman regarding her presence in th'
park with him and that he was as
saulted by the men who came arounI
the summer house. Johnson said h
did not see Mrs. Clickener assaulted
He could not identify the man whit
grabbed him. He said he was told t.
beat it" and he ran TO Delaware ave
nue. and Adams street where he me
officer Hahn. He and the officer wen
back and he saw the men runnini
away. Court took a recess until 2.3
o'clock.