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Defendants In Rape And Murder Under Bond For Grand Jury HearingsJohn Usery, of Elkmont, charged with rape, and and he then offered to take her there.James Hollie Kelsoe, of Decatur, charged with first de-She got in the truck with him and he drove aroundgree murder, were bound over to the grand jury last the square, out Jefferson street, turning at Powersby Sheriff Sandlin, Investigator Troupe and County Solicitor Thomas G. Steele, TJsery stated that he had relations with the Bradford girl on several occasionsFriday in a preliminary hearing before Judge D. L. hospital and going out highway 31, she said. He turned prior to the alleged rape.Rosenau, Jr., in Limestone County Court. Bond was al- off 31 on the Upper Elkton road and finally stopped inlowed in bo.h c^ses, Usery’s being set at $2,000 and a thicket some yards off a side road where, accordingKelsoe’s at $l,5ou. Loth men made their bonds.Usery is charged with raping 18 year old Lila Wrayto the girl, the attack took place.Miss Bradford testified that she tried to repulse hisBradford, of the Coxey community, while Kelsoe is attentions, getting in and out of the truck two or threecharged with shooting Edward Dugger, Athens resident,times. She said that he finally threw her across thein an altercation on the Beeline highway near Pryor front fender of the truck, where the alleged attack wasAirfield. The court room was packed during most of completed,the day.Miss Bradford took the stand and testified that Usery invited her to take a ride with him, but thpt she |aboutayDuring the testimony she admitted that she had refused because he had mistreated her before. This ! previously had intimate relations with Usery on onetook place at the Athens Bus Station. She testified that she told Usery she w'as going to a Sunday movie,occasion, but had not seen him for several months.statement taken in LouisvilleDr. A. D. Powers, who examined the girl the day of the alleged attack, testified that due to the girl's condition at the time of his examination he could not tell definitely whether or not she had been attacked. HeWsaid she was highly nervous.Usery has been employed in Louisville and washome on a week end when the alleged attack took place. He was arrested after returning to Louisville and w’aived extradition back to Alabama. No witnesses were placed on the stand by the defendant, wfho w^as represented by Malone and Malone, w'hile the case was prosecuted by Solicitor Steele.In the case involving Kelsoe it w-as agreed to present only two witnesses, (See Oounty Court, I*ago Eight)
Newspaper Details
Athens Alabama Courier
Athens, Alabama, US
Thu, Dec 04, 1947
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Joseph R.
USA 05 Sep 2021
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