Evening journal., 1914-03-07
AGED MAN
IS CONVICTED
Child Tells Of Attack on Her
In City Park Last
September
SEEK NEW TRIAL
FUR THE DEFENDANT

The afternoon session Of the Court
Of General Sessions yesterday was de-
voted to the hearing Of a charge OF
attempted felonious assault against
Patrick Cassidy. eg SO. 55 Rockford
Road Cassidy. who IS "a years Of
age, sat unmoved when the jury af-
ter a few minutes deliberation. re-
turned at $50 o'clock with a verdict
Of guilty. j. Frank Ball his coun-
sci. at once made q motion for a new
trial.
The charge against Cassidy was
preferred by Mrs Dorothy Hill, moth
er Of Mary Hill. aged - years. The
child told the same story on the witt
ness stand yesterday as she related
last September IN City Court
Considerable trouble WIS had ycster-
day in securing the jury, both sides
taking advantage Of their right 10
challenge the jurors. After the jury
had been selected, the case opened with
the child's mother being called. Mrs. Hill
related how her daughter returned home
from school on September IS, carrying
several pieces of iewelry in her hand.
The child told her that a man had
given them 10 her and had taken her to
Shellpot Park. Mrs. Hin told how sho
took the child TO the Office Of Chief
Black, where DR.. q. w. X. Forrest made
an examination Of the girl.
The day following this incident Mrs.
Hil said she was at sixth and Market
streets when she saw her daughter
talking 10 Cassidy at Sixth and King
streets. Mrs. Hill followed Cassidy
TO Seventh aud Market atrcets and
down that street TO Sixth street, where
she caused his arrest
Mrs. Hill said that after Cassidy had
been 4aken to the police station her
daughter identified tho man as the one
who had taken her 20 Shellpot Park aud
assaulted her.
The child. dressed in red sweater
and hatless, told how Cassidy had met
her on her way 20 school and told
her TO meet him after school This
she did that afternoon and Cassidy
she said took her 10 the Five and Ten
Cent store, where he purchased a
bracelet and necklace for her. They
then went 70 Shellpot Park and after
entering the woods, Cassidy, she said
threw her down and assaulted her.
Later, the child said Cassidy took
her aboard a car and after payine
her fare. told the conductor to put hel
on at sixth and Market streets.
Dr. G. w. X Forrest, who exam
ined the child. testified that while tbs
.child's condition showed she had beer
injured. he could not say that she had
been assaulted.
Edith Hal,as, a salesgirl IN th'
hre and ten cent store told OF The
elrl being. brought into the store an'
huriue the iewclry Miss Halla
yesterday said that to the best OF be
belief. Cassidy was the man who wa
biih the girl
John Hunlfr. 3 conductor ON a shell
rot Park car. said that a man and rif
resembling Cassidy and the child board
I'd his car at rhellp0t Park on the day
IN question.
Frank stout. Of the s. p G. C.. who
has known Cassidy for fifty Years, said
that on the daN Cassidy was given a
hearing IN City Court the aged man
admitted having taken the child Tor a
trolley ride. but claimed he Was innocent
OF any vrongdoiug. Chief Black and
Patrolman Shechv both told Of the gir
identifying the aged man a. the mar
who had assaulted her This ended the
states case. aud Cassidy was called
Tho aged man told OF his actions ON th'
dav the assault was alleged TO hav'
occurred. He said he remained in he'
until noon that day az he was unwen
and on arising be walked from Rockiorl
road TO Eighth and Church. lie thcl
walked TO Eighth aud Market streets
where hc took car 70 the b. and 4
railroad station. and from there h
walked home. Mrs Elizabeth Rogat, hi
niece. with whom he lives. couoborate
Cassidy about being home that morning
Mr.. Ball. counsel for Cassidy, then calle
John Feonev. William Feency. Danis
Doucherty and Thomas Donohoe, all O
whom ave Cassidy good reputation.
Attorney General Wolcott, VIII
prosecuted the case, called Patrolma
John McAteer and Park Guard Jane
Elliott. who told of receiving CON
plaints Of Cassidy annoying childrc
in Rockford Park. The case the
closed. and after the charge had bee
made by Judge Conrad, the juror
retired. They were out only a fe
minutes, when they returned with th
verdict of guilty with a recommend,
ton of mercy owing to the defendant
age.
The Court adjourned until Monda
morning at 10 o'clock
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