Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-04-11
GirI'sS| Staying
Called CIimaxto
0ne-Sided Love
Purents Describe
Sputs Leading to
Broken Engagement
Ais THE SUNDAY STAR
4 =" Washington, D. c.
SUNDAY. APRIL IL, 1854

OIOkSH engagement
The tragic Staying of 17-year-
old Joan Marie Ruzza climaxed
a one-sided romance, beset with
violence. the dead girls parents
said last night.
They said Eugene Elmer Bry-
ant, 81, of 5403 N street, Hillside,
Md, accused of shooting her to
death on Thursday night, had
pressed his attentions on the girl
even after she told him more
than month ago she no longer
wanted to see him.
The boy and girl had known
each other for seven years. Mr..
Ruzza said, but had been keep
ing company for only about a
year.
They went together fairly
regularly from last July until
they had a fight in January"
Mr.. Ruzza, the girls father, said.
When Bryant began paying
serious attention to Miss Ruzza,
he still was in the Army. He had
been in the Army about two
years, including a year in Korea
as an artillery observer.
Although the youngsters had
spats while they we're dating
regularly during those first few
months, no serious difficulties
developed until the January in
cident.
Army Difficulties.
Bryant. meantime, was having
difficulties with the Army, and
in October of last year was dis
honorably discharged, his father,
cambridge Bryant, said.
Mrs. Ruzza said her daughter
did not seem seriously interested
in young Bryant. and that she
and Mr.. Ruzza did not particu-
larly approve of him as sutton.
On last Christmas Day. the
youth called at the Ruzza home
with surprise.
He gave her an engagement
ring as an unexpected Christ
mas present." Mrs. Ruzza said.
But the engagement lasted
only a week. The couple had
their first major argument on
New Years Day, and Miss Ruzza
returned the ring.
They continued seeing each
other occasionally. but there was
a growing friction. They quar-
relied often.
On March l. there was par
ticularly violent argument!
Meantime, Miss Ruzza had be-
gun seeing another youth. 49,
year-old former Suitland High
School student.
Mrs. Ruzza said Bryant fol-
lowed her daughter to and from
school on several occasions.
On March II Miss RuzZa &C
cused Bryant of trying to force
her into his car and then when
she refused of trying to run her
down with the automobile. Two
assault charges were filed by
police.
In Upper Marlboro Court the
next day. Judge Nita Human
Crane administered a tongue
flashing to Bryant, fined him SGT
on the assault charges and or
dered him to leave Miss Ruzza
alone.
Mr.. Ruzza said he had begun
to worry about his daughter
after the first argument she had
with Bryant in January. He re-
fused to let her go out at night
unaccompanied. If she went
out, she was ordered to take a
taXicab.
Lately, she had begun to chafe
under the restrictions, Mr.
Ruzza said.
Then, on Thursday night, at
GAS pm, he permitted her to
leave alone for a trip to a nearby
drugstore.
I'll be back in less than half
an hour" she told her mother as
she left.
Found Near Home.
But her parents heard no
more until nearly midnight
when police called to inform
thel.. that their daughters
body had been found in a drive
way four blocks from home.
Police arrested Bryant at his
home and after questioning him
for several hours announced
that he admitted pumping five
bullets into her body.
IF l couldn't have her, no.
body could" detectives said he
told them.
Police said the youth appar-
emily had obtained another
weapon after his father had
locked up the other revolver.
Detectives said Bryant revealed
that Miss Ruzza told him he
was the father of child she
was expecting.
DR.. James I. Boyd, Prince
Georges County Medical Exam
liner. said an autopsy showed
that Miss Ruzza was four months
pregnant.
The news was shock to Miss
Ruzza's parents.
Its not true" Mrs. Ruzza
said. She was good girl.
They're just trying to smear her
now that she's dead"
Under 24-HOur Guard.
Bryant was under 24-hour
guard at Upper Marlboro County
Jail because, police said, he had
threatened to take his life. De-