Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-12-07
JUDGE SCORES
ALLEGED OFFER
BYLASSITER TO
GIRL In CASE
Proposal To Settle Prosecution
Outside Court BY Payment OF
$1,000 Comes Out
COMPOUNDINC FELONY,
SoLICITO DECLARES
Court Excuses Girl From Testify
ing, Virtually Ending Prosecu-
ton But Holds Case Open


ton But Holds Case Open
A sensation occurred in Superior
court today when the case of j. w.
Lassiter, former county road super
mtendent, was called and Solicitor
FELTON, made the charge in open court
that an attempt had Deen made to
compound felony in that proposal
had been made by representatives on
Lassiter to the girl on whose charge
the Indictment was first returned a
year and half ago to pay her ST.
900 to settle the case out of court.
The charge against Lassiter was
that Of assault with intent to rape.
The girl, who has since married, was
in court and, through her attorney
demanded that she be excused from
testifying. After a heated hearing,
in which she was placed on the stand
and questioned by Judge Littlejohn
and the solicitor, and arguments by
counsel on both sides had been heard,
Judge Littlejohn ruled th.s sne need
not testify.
"But if ! find" said the court,
blushing wit hdeep indignation that
such a matter should come before
him, "that so much as farthing has
been paid by this defendant or any
one representing him to this girl or
any member of her family, / am go-
ing to reopen this case and compel
her to testify
After ruling that the girl would
be excused from testifying against
Lassiter, the Judge asked the solici-
tor if he were able to proceed with
the case without her evidence The
solicitor stated that he could not and
the case was passed.
Refuses Dismissal.
Judge Littleijohn was asked by the
defense to pas san order of dismis-
sal Of the defendant, which he re-
fused to do, but informed Lassiter's
counsel that the defendant might go
without bond; that he was through
with him so far as this case was con-
cerned, except that he would leave
the Indictment on the record undiz-
posed of so that in casa TIE Know-
ledge came to the solicitor or him
self that any settlement whatsoever
had been made with the girl OF her
falaily the case would be reopened
and pro#aculed
This disposition of the matter was
takea to n9eea that Lassiter case has
eirtualS> endea, as the girl was the
chief witness for the state in all of
the cases, it is understood. 1t is be-
lieved likely the solicitor will nolle
pros Two other companion indictments
pending against. Lassiter.
j. 4. Sheppard appear for the girl
in the case and j. A. Hixon Tor Las
sitter. The matter of the alleged pro-
posal Of $1,000 in settlement of the
case between Lassiter and the girl
was brought out by Sector FELTON,
who announced that he had been APP
preached for approval of such an ar.
rangement. He said he had refused
to give his approval, and that such
settlement would be compounding a
felony.
Mr.. Sheppard, who had demanded
that the girl be excused from appear
ing as a witness in the trial, declar-
ed that such a proposal had been con-
sidered, that the solicitor had been
consulted to obtain his view of it,
and that when his consent was not
obtained nothing further had been
done
Courts View Sought.
Judge Hixon declared not penny
had ben paid, and that the settlement
mad merely been suggested and the
views Of both the court and the So
licitor sought in advance. He de-
clared willing to give bond that not
a penny would be paid in the future
The grounds offered by Mr.. Shep-
pard for the girl not wishing to Jesti-
fy were that her evidence might in
cirmiBate herself, and therefore
could not be compelled. and that the
character of the evidence would be
such as to damage her good name
and standing in the community.