Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-06-27
v. 4. WATERS TO
BE TRIED IN D. {.
COURT DECISION
Preliminary Investigation
Held Today In River
Stabbing Case
REMOVAL JULY THIRD
Bail is Refused By Court For Waters
Judge Groner To Sign Order
For Removal.

FOR KemONdl.
W. Aldred Waters who is being
held in connection with the fatal stab
bing of Louis b. Mccormack. of
Washington, which took place the
night of June 18th, aboard the steam
er Charles Manchester was this after
noon held without bail for the author
tiles of the District Of Columbia by
United States Commissioner William
.P. Woolls. ThN action was taken by
the court following the hearing of the
testimony Of number Of witnesses.
Attorney Edmund Burke represent
ing Waters. asked that the commits
sioner fix bail. Mr. Woolls at first
stated that he would have TO make
the bail Il least $4,000. which he said
was prohrbitive, and Mr.. Burke
stated to the court that he might ar
range for a bail bond.
Commissioner Woolls thereupon an
nounced that ha would commit Waters
to the Alexandria city Jail without
bail and take up this question with
Judge d. Lawrence Groncr, judge OF
the United States Court for the East
ern district Of Virginia.
District Attorney James J. OIeary,
of Washington, stated to the court
that he would object to a bail bond.
1t vas explained TO the court by Mr..
OLoaIy that he would secure the re-
moval order for Waters 10 the jail IN
the District of Columbia Just as soon
IS possible.
The taking Of testimony in the case
was concluded at 12:40 O'Clock this
afternoon and Immediately thereafter
Assistant District Attorney OIeary
asked ehai the commissioner sign
warrant for the transfer Of Waters
to the District Of Columbia.
Mr.. Burke stated that ne wanted
to present authorities in the case. The
commissioner said that TO his mind it
was apparent that the case was one
for Washington TO handle. 1t was lyeid
by Mr.. Burke that the District ind!ct-
mcrt against Waters was supposed 70
have been founded on the testimony Of
Simon Rosenthal Of Washington. lie
contended that Rosenthal testified
before the coroner's Jury that the
man was stouter than Waters. Rosen-
thal's excuse he argued was that he
had bad eyesight. 1t was further ar
cuad by Mr. Burke that nothing had
been brought ont to show that Wa
ters had attacked anyone. There was
he SAID q slight cut which he de-
clared would indicate that Waters
was attacked by someone else. Con-
tinuing Mr. Burke said there is a clear
line Of demarkation between murder
and manslaughtef. The testimony ne
declared exoneratcd Waters, and he
added there was no evidence to con-
rcct Waters with the case. The only
thing that could he urged against him
he held was that he had one finger
cut. Concluding his argument he asked
the court to dismiss Waters as he
said was done by the coroner's IN
quest and police court.
This motion was at once overruled
bv thc court, the court saying there
was no other alternative than to hold
Waters without bail.
Mrs. Elsie Hardbower proved the
star witness for the defense at to-
days hearing. Witness testified that
She heard man cry My God ! am
stabbed" At the time she declared
thar Waters was standing beside the
lunch counter on the boat. This count
or she said was several feet away
from where the stabbing took place.
Witness said that how she came to
rntice Waters standing at this point
that some ono called him. Following
thc stabbiNg sne said she saw man
PUN toward the front Of the boat and
she was positive Waters at the time
,ras still standing at the lunch counter
Mccormack after being stabbed she
cid staggered q distance Of several
feet Continuing Mrs. Hardbower
said. ~ could swear that Waters
was not the man who made 4 lunge
at Mccormack"
Other witnesses who were called
and testified at today's investiga-
ton included John f. Bailey, pur-
ser of the steamer. Miss Hazel
Hicks, Miss Mary Harrison, Cass
Curtis. Buddie Moore, CLYDE Chill
cott. Mckinley Cornell. (. \. Donald.