Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-07-23
Case of Sergt. Da Shell Re-
opened Last Night in
Police Court
ECHO OF BIG ACCIDENT
Fine of $40 Imposed by Court In
Case Reaffirmed-To Appeal to
Corporation Court.

The trial of Sergt. Sidney A. Da-
shell, a member Of the military po-
lice force of this city, who was fined
$50 in the police court by Justice L
H. Thompson the evening of July L
on charge of trespass, was reopened
last night at a special session of the
court and a large number of witness
es were heard and three and one
half hours occupied in the case after
which Justice Thompson reaffirmea
his decision in the case.
After the court announced its deci-
sion to adhere to its former action in
imposing the fine on Da Shell. Capt.
H. Bert Knowles, judge advocate, Q.
NJ. C. U. S. A., who represented the
accused, announced his intention of
appealing the case to the corpora ton
court. He has ten days in which to
file an appeal. The state was repre-
sented at the hearing by Common
wealth's attorney Howard w. Smith.
The alleged trespass consisted of
abusive language on the part of
Sergt. Da She'll to Rev. DR.. E. Y.
REGISTER, pastor of the NJ. E. Church
South, and Henry Hunter, night fore
man of a garage.
Threats Made by Sergeant
Sergt. Da She'll at the time was
near the military police headquarters
at King and Washington streets, and
it was also charged that in addition
to using abusive language he threat
ened DR.. REGISTER and Mr.. Hunter
with a pistol. The episode followed
the plunging over the causeway at
the south end of Hunting Greek of
big motor army truck which result
ed in two captains three privates and
a civilian losing their lives.
At the opening of the case Capt.
Knowles on behalf of his client en-
tered a plea of not guilty.
Statement of MIR. Hunter
The testimony of Mr.. Hunter was
to the effect that he had upon hear
ing. of the accident telephoned Dr.,
Delaney and met the physician u
short time afterward on Washington
street. He hailed the doctor, who was
in a.. automobile, when Da ShieSl
came ,up on a motorcycle. Witness
said that ,,Da Shell Threatened to put
shell in him.
Rev. DR.. REGISTER Testifies
Rev. DR.. REGISTER said he was at
tracted; to the corner and saw Mr.
Hunter. and heard Da She'll swear a:
HIM, using the most vile languag;
and he, also threatened to put shell
in Hunter he said. Witness said n
saw NO reason for the military poi'ce
man abusing Mr.. Hunter.
Rev. DR.. REGISTER said that he came
up at this point of the proceedings
and remarked to Da Shell "That's M
wav to talk to man" and the ac
cused remarked 81 will let you have
one" and then made threatenin:
motion toward him. DR.. REGISTER sax
he told Da She'll to shoot when n
got ready. Da She'll appeared great
" excited and appeared to have los
control of himself declared DR.. Reyes
ter. Rev. DR.. REGISTER on across eN
animation said that he remarked t
Sergt. Da Shell. that. if you woul
put his gun away he would "trin
him" DR.. REGISTER also added tha
the mere fact that the sergeant ha
a band on his shoulder didn't giy
him control over civilians, he addini
that we are not under military law
Fire Chief Tells of Offer
Fire Chief Ogden testified to hav
ing taken a corporal to the southern
of Hunting Creek bridge followir
the overturning Of the truck. Bodie
Of 6 men were lying side by side: o
the roadway. A driver of car go
into the jam and came very near rur
ming over the bodies. Sergt. Da SHE
became very much excited and threat
ened the driver. The sergeant he sal