The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-21
Rape
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maniac in this neighborhood and
I'll kill you"
The seven months pregnant moth
er OF one small child told the all
white jury how she was grabbed
from behind, threatened. dragged
INTO weeds five feet high and made
the victim OF the soldier between
the hours OF 2.30 and 4 on the morn
ing OF August "a.
Continuing. she told how she
sought TO devise a means Of escsp-
ing from the white rapist. who held
unto her and would not let her
leave.
Don't scream or I'll kill you"
she said the soldier told her, then
to drag her 10 a second spot where
he again ravished her.
Both alleged acts occurred in the
vicinity n the accused rapists.
home near Nevada and Dean streets.
She Identifies Rapist
Did you get a chance to see this
person." she was asked by assist
ait prosecutor Frank Valenti.
Yes, ! did"
DO you see him in court?"
Yes" she answered, then iden-
titled Mike Stephanchenko as her
assailant and attacker.
She also told OF struggling with
the soldier and of finally escaping
from his grasp and fleeing 10
friends nome where the sordid
story was told and police were call
ed to investigate the case.
Find Clothes At Scene
The rape victims shoes, under
slip. panties, umbrella and a brooch
we're introduced as evidence in the
case, Her apparel had been found
by her husband, police woman Mrs
Margaret Snow and other officers
near the attack scene. a short time
after the reported incident
Defense Attorney Morris Fenton,
several times attempted to have the
witness admi. she knew Stephan
chenko's family had been involved
in the Sojourner Truth Homes riot
and that there was friction in the
project between Negroes and
whites.
However, Judge Gordon sustained
the objection of the prosecutor and
ruled out the efforts OF the defense
counsel to show a possible motive
for the accusation of the Negro
mother against the white soldier.
Arresting officers told the court
and jury that when they arrested |
Mike Stephsnchen&o he could not
tell- them where he had been or
what time he had arrived at home.
where he was found sleeping by
Officers John Kozlowski, Edward |
Koss, Anthony McFsrr and Joseph |
Katish.
Doctor Testifies
Detective Albert Langtry OF the
scientific laboratory disclosed that
an examination Of the soldiers uni
form trousers and the attack VIC
TINS underslip showed evidence OF
sexual relations.
DR.. Hodson Hansen, inferno at
Receiving hospital disclosed that
he had examincu the married wom-
an and discovered evidence Of her
having had relations with some
man. however. he could not say
which man it was or say when the
act had occurred.
Soldier Denies Rape Charge
Taking the stand at $50 pm, Fri
day, the defendant denied being
near the alleged rape scene, denied
assaulting the pregnant married
woman or OF ever going bareheaded
while in his army uniform.
He said that he had attended a
picnic on the day in question and
had drank Is bottles Of beer and
later had three more at a beer gar
den before he went home 10 bed
at approximately 1870 am.
His defense was an alibi that he
was not near the crime scene when
the reported rape occurred. He was
the only witness for the defense.
The defendant also denied hav-
ing ever been convicted OF crime.
However. assistant prosecutor Va
lenti produced records Of two con-