Evening journal., 1914-01-27
VASSO TRIAL
IS UNDER WAY
Young Man is Charged With
Violating the Mann
Act
WOMAN ON STAND
TaLLS HER STORY
Act

~aafNf ~~@4eN - =
For the first time in the history OF
the United States Court Of the Dis
trict Of Delaware case of alleged
violation of the Mann White Slave
Law was brought before the Court
for trial this morning. The defend
ont is Guerna Verna, alias William
yasso, an intelligent young Italian.
He is charged with having lured
Elizabeth Accents, alias Elizabeth
Todd, a young girl, from Philadel-
phia to this city on August 2S for
immoral purposes.
The following members OF the petit
jury list qualified to sit in the case:
Leonard V. Ashville. Jr., George W.
Davis. William II. Spicer, Elmer H.
Walker, Horace Sudler. Joseph B.
Luton. Thomas j. Bradley, Joseph
II. Hossinger, William G. Williams,
William II. Barton. Joseph G. Brown
and Granville p. Alexander.
Vasso was represented by James
Salisbury, while District Attorney
John =. Nields prosecuted the case.
Judge Edward G. Bradford appeared
upon the bench In his judicial gown.
The case created considerable cur
iosity and the spectators gallery was
fairly well filed. Not as much in
terest was manifested, however as IN
the case of the Manga Reva mutineers
which came before the court several
weeks ago.
Vasso was arrested and prosecuted
bv Charles w. Bush, local agent OF
the government for the prosecution
of violations of the Mann white
slave" law.
Mr.. Nields, reading from the indict-
ment said the government would en-
deavOr to prove that Nasso arranged
for the transportation OF the CIR. from
Philadelphia to Wilmington fer inn
proper purposes. Mr. Nields read
that section Of the Mann Law set
ting forth that any one who knowing
ly and willingly aids and assists any
person to go from one state to an
other, or knowingly procures and OBJ
tains a ticket for the transportation
OF said person from one State to an
other. for immoral purpose shal DC
deemed guilty of violation or the
law.
Mr. Nields stated that there are nc
authorities upon the case before the
court as in the other cases that have
been tried since the Mann law was en-.
acted. wherein the female was moNeC
from one State to another for CON
mcrcial" purposes.
lie stated that the government woul,
shov that the couple lived together ~
Philadelphia for month before coming
10 this city: that Nasso bought hei
ticket. checked her baggage and accom-
panied her on the trip from Philadel
ohia to this city.
Mr.. Nields said the go"ernmen
would show defendant had placed th'
cirl in a house on Tatnall street anC
again in one on Shipley street.
The first witness called was Henr!
Crawford. He is a transportation
agent Of the Wilmington Steamboa
Company. which carries freight an'
passengers between this city. Cheste
and Philadelphia. MI. Crawford stat
cd the schedule the beats ran ol
3n August 2S.
Elizabeth Todd. an attractive Souni
girl. was next called. She said tha
elizabeth Todd was her right nam
but she was sometimes called Bessi
Todd.
She said she became cquainte'
with Vasso last April, when she live
nj No. $40 Wood street, Philadelphia
Al the latter address the youn
woman admitted me- ting men othe
than Vasso. She lived there fou
weeks before coming TO Wilmington
She stated that during the tire
weeks she lived in this city she CAV
much money TO Vasso because as sh
said he was out of work.
The girl said she came to Whining
ton on August 2S by a steamboat o
the Wilmington Steamboat line, a
Vasso's suggestion. he buying her
ticket
This concluded Mr. Nields ques
toning. and Mr.. Salisbury took IN
witness for cross-eXaminauon.
Er endeavored TO show the girl
reputation two years ago, bu' NJ
Nields objected and the objection wa
sustained.
Under cross-eNamination the gil
stated that she was p years OF ae
IN June, and is unmarried.
Mr.. Salisbury asked the witness
she hdu any cuiiuiths MI -F'S.N
strenuously objected to the 0uestio
md his objection was sustained
The girl admitted that she lived
Tenth and Locust streets. Philade
phia, with Vasso as husband rr
wife for three weeks before comm
to Wilmington. Witness did not kno
whether Vasso was working then
not but did not believe he was. The
came to Wilmington so he could hui
employment. She said she did M
know anything about WilmingtC
when she came here with Nasso- 81
then related where they had live
together and told of other houses
questionable character whero she hi
lived since being here.
Witness in reply to Mr.. Saulsoul
admitted that she told Vasso she vi
working in a restaurant. Trial OF q
ease will be resumed this afternoo
ONE KILLED IN AUTO SMASH.
BY the United Press.