The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-20
GRAND JURY EXPECTED ID
 IN ND|CT F|V [
Bowling Case Witnesses Heard Monday and Ad-
 journment Taken Until 4 Next Friday Afternoon
 Brasher Is Released
First official cognizance

1922, of Dr. J. D. DoN$ $city and county health officefy was taken by the January grand jury Monday when it began an investi- gation that is expected to lead to the indictment of at least five men for alleged complicity in the kid mapping. The inquisitorial body spent the day quizzing Dr. Dowl- ing, members of his household, city and federal officers.
 Following this action the grand jury adjourned until Friday after noon at 2 o'clock when it will con vene to hear further evidence and vote on the indictments. Those in close touch with the situation fore cast the indictment of at least three and probably five men.
 Dr. Bowling First Witness.
 Dr. Bowling was the first witness to appear before the grand jury. He related events of the night of May IT when he was lured from his home and brutally beaten by a band of about ten men. He was closeted with the jury for one and one-half hours.
 Dr. Bowling was followed by Annie Laurie Lightner, negro maid in his employ, who Friday afternoon iden- tified Porter N. Newman, Acipco plumber. under indictment for al- leged participation in the Kidnapping last Monday night of Ed Herman Daniels, North Birmingham negro taxi driver. as the man who asked for pr. Bowling on the night he was tlogged. She is thought to have told the jury circumstances leading up to the abduction of Dr. Bowling and explained the manner in which she came to identify Newman. The Lightner negro answered the door and talked to the man who sought pr. Bowling when he was kidnapped. She identified Newman as this man when she faced him Friday afternoon at the city jail. Newman was lined up with six men and led before the maid. She picked him out at once and it is said Is positive in her iden- tification.
 Chief of Police Fred H. McDuff, c. w. McPhail, department of justice agent; City Detective Paul Cole, Special Officer Woodie Sandefer, and others appeared before the grand jury. The nature of their testimony has not been disclosed but it is be- lieved they related what they have discovered in an investigation which has lasted for months
 It is understood that as a result of the efforts of officers investigat- ing, the flogging three of Dr. Dow inS's assailants have been identified One of these Is known to be New man. Indications are that W. M. Yerby. Mt. Pinson dairyman who is confined to the South Highlands in fIrmary by pistol wounds, and who is under indictment In the Daniels case, is another. The identity of the third has not been disclosed by or- ficials in charge of the investiga- tion.
 Legal Battle FOreshadowed.
 The first step of what promises to be a hotly contested legal battle in the event indictments are returned against the men was foreshadowed Monday when Judge Roger w. Snyder released on writ of habeas corpus Sam Brasher of Acipco, connected with the Brasher dairy, who was ar rested Saturday by police for alleged connection with the Daniels xidnap- ing and held on charge of being a dangerous and suspicious character. This action, by Judge Snyder, how ever, did not prevent Brasher's ap- pearance before the grand jury Monday afternoon. What statement he made before that body is not known. It is said that he appeared at his own request. Officers refused to say whether Brasher is connected with the Bowling flogging but rumor links his name along with those of Newman and Yerby.
 Officers who caused Brasher's ar rest for connection with the case re- fused to show their hand Monday, when given until ? o'clock in the aft ernoon to place charge against him or release him. He was released by city authorities after his appearance before the grand jury.
 The release of Brasher on habeas corpus was marked by a clash be-
 
 member of the newly created city's civil service commission, and Woodie Sandefer, special agent for the Law Enforcement league, who was escort ing Brasher to the court house to ap- pear before the grand jury.
 Altman accosted Sandefer and de- manded to know what authority he had Co keep Brasher in custody. He then took charge of the prisoner and carried him before Judge Snyder, where the petition for writ of ha- beas corpus was tried. Altman de- clared that Brasher was not being held on legal charge and requested his release. He also stated in open court that commissions of all special officers had been rescinded by the new civil service bill and that off cers employed by the Law Enforce ment league had no authority.
 Judge Snyder entered an order di- recting that unless a formal charge was placed against Brasher by 2
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