RAPE OF NEGRO

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28921, 15 June 1959, Page 11

RAPE OF NEGRO

White Youths Guilty

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 8.30-p.m.) TALLAHASE (Florida), June 14. An all-white jury early today found four white youths guilty of the rape of a 19-year-old negro student, but the four will not face the death

penalty. The jury recommended mercy for each defendant, thus ensuring that the death sentence would not be passed. Instead, they face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, but, at the discretion of the Judge,, could conceivably get as little as a probationary sentence.

There was not a sound in the packed courtroom as the jury’s separate verdicts for the four were read by Circuit Judge W. May Walker. But a few moments later, Mrs Pearlie Collinsworth, wife of the eldest defendant screamed “O, Jesus,” and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The defendants seemed stunned by the verdict, but as they walked out of the courtroom one of them, David Beagles, a high school student, began to weep. The defendants, who all pleaded not guilty, were: Willion (Ted) Collinsworth, 23, who has a son two years old and a daughter aged one year. A telephone company linesman, he is illiterate and was described in psychiatric testimony during the trial as a moron with the mentality of a nine-year-old child. He pleaded temporary insanity.

Patrick (Gene) Scarborough, 20, whose mother was shot in a bar room when he was seven years old and whose father committed suicide in the same year. He is married but separated from his wife, and was on leave from the Air Force at the time of the rape. David Beagles, 18, a high school student who has a good record and was a Sunday school leader in the community. Ollie Stoutamire, 16, youngest of the defendants and motherless since birth. Brought up by an aunt, he was described during the trial as mentally retarded. The rape victim’s name was not published, because Florida law prohibits such publication. Judge Walker did not pass sentence immediately. He is not expected to do so for at least five days.

Complaints About Royal Tour

(Rec. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 14.

Princess Margaret has complained about the handling of her visit to Portugal, according to the “Sunday Dispatch.” Her protest has been made to Sir Charles StiHing, British Ambassador in Lisbon, the newspaper said. It said an inquiry was beipg held by the Foreign Office and it was understood the British Embassy in Lisbon was under fire. “The Princess expressly asked that her visit be as private as possible with minimum protocol,” the newspaper said. “When she returned to England on Friday, it became known that she was extremely angry about some incidents during her stay.” The “Sunday Dispatch” recalled Portuguese press criticism of the British Embassy for demanding unnecessary security restrictions- It also mentioned the occasion when the Princess went swimming near Lisbon, and people were confined to their homes and householders ordered to paint over their windows-