Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-05
GRAND Jury Asked
IN ABDUCTION CASE
Norfolk Priest Requests
Judge to Call Special venire.
Byrd Urged to Act.
BY the Associated Press.

NORFOLK, Va. September IA
special grand Jury is expected to be
called early next week by Judge B.
D. White Of the Princess Anne County
Circuit Court to investigate the kid
naping Wednesday night of Rev.
Vincent D. Warren. Norfolk Catholic
priest. by q band of white.robed and
hooded men.
Formal request for an investigation
was forwarded tonight by Father War.
rem to Judge White and to Common
wealth's Attorney Edwin J. Smith.
Judge White, appraised of the fact.
said he would call the special jury
as soon after receipt Of the request
as practicable.
In the meantime Sheriff John c.
Litchfield and three deputies have
started out in quest Of information
that might lead to the identification of
the priests kidnapers Tonight,
after day Of travel, the officer said
neither he nor any Of his assistants
had gathered any clue.
May Identify One.
Father Warren's statement that he
believed he could identify at least one
member of the band that spirited him
away from two male companions as
he was sitting in an automobile beside
the public highway, not far from
Princess Anne Courthouse, caused a
mild stir and it was believed possible
that information now in hand may
lead to the ultimate identification Of
the entire group. estimated at
about %.
The American Civil Liberties Union
today offered to put it's legal re-
sources and influence Of it's friends
at the disposal of Father Warren, and
at the same time wired Gov. Byrd re-
Questing him to spur Princess Anne
County authorities to the investiga-
ton.
Father Warren, in receiving the
telegram, a copy Of which also was
forwarded to the newspapers, said:
While I appreciate the offer, be-
lieve it would be unwise to accept at
this time. My deep trust in the in
tegrty Of the citizens Of this com
munity, learned by me during my II
years with them. leads me to believe
that my many friends of all shades
Of belief will be able TO take care Of
the situation amply
Offer Legal Aid.
The text of the telegram was
I'VE learn with indignation of the
outrage against you by gang of
masked and sheeted hooligans on the
evening of September /. We gladly
offer our legal resources and the in
fluence of our friends in bringing
these idiotic towards to book and CIV
ing publicity to the facts"
Sheriff Litchfield was the subject
of the following telegram sent by
Forrest Bailey. a director of the
union, to Gov. Byrd and made public
here:
Reports indicate that Sheriff j. C.
Litchfield of Princess Anne County
sees nothing to investigate In the
outrage against Father Vincent d.
Warren of Norfolk. who was kidnapped
by a masked and sheeted band on
the evening of September /. If this
is true. we respectfully urge prompt
instruction by State executive on the
responsibilities of office and the right
Of citizens to protection against law
breakers"
Sheriff Litchfield tonight said he
had heard nothing from the governor
and denied he had been derelict in
his duty.
II shall be more than glad to hear
from any one any clue that might
lead to the arrest of the band" he
declared. II have searched over the
lower end Of this county and I've not
been able to get a single clue that
might be followed"
The sheriff said he did not know
whether the hooded hand came from
Norfolk or from the county.