Joe Swindell, about 25 years old, skillful driver of fast automobiles and winner of a number of amateur motor car races on the local race track, is in Pasquotank County jail charged with rape of a 13-year-old girl on a warrant issued by Solicitor W.L. Small and sworn out by Police Officer George Twiddy on the basis of information given Twiddy by L. Carl Blades, treasurer of the Foreman Blades Lumber Company.
Swindell was arrested Monday morning at 20 minutes past 1 o’clock as returning, he is quoted as saying, from Norfolk and Virginia Beach. He had started up west Main street. Chief of Police Gregory and Police Officer Twiddy of the local force were on the lookout at the First Citizens National Bank corner when Swindell’s Durant swung around the Bee Hive building, corner of Main and Poindexter streets, and headed west. Twiddy stepped in front of the automobile with his flashlight and ordered it to stop. As the car came to a standstill, Twiddy and the chief told Swindell to consider himself under arrest.
Thus came to its climax and conclusion a chase that had begun early Sunday afternoon and that had led to Norfolk, Virginia Beach and back again; a chase, however, which Swindell seemed to have been all unconscious of, as the First & citizens National Bank building, where he was arrested, is police headquarters.
Practically the entire Elizabeth City police force was on duty Sunday afternoon and Sunday night in an effort to apprehend Swindell. Sheriff Charles Reid, who was also armed with a warrant issued by Solicitor Small, and Deputy Sheriff Pritchard went to Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Police Officer Twiddy was stationed at South Mills, where he remained until 11:20, reaching Elizabeth City only about an hour ahead of Swindell, and the remainder of the force was on the lookout for Swindell here. Failing to find their man at Norfolk or Virginia Beach, Sheriff Reid sent his deputy to Suffolk, but called the latter home on learning by long distance telephone that Swindell had been apprehended here.
The fact that Swindell was arrested in the city is explained by the police on the ground that he had persuaded himself that the family of his victim would hush the matter up rather than face the publicity which a trial in the courts would involve.
Though the warrant was not sworn out until Sunday, the alleged crime is said to have occurred on the preceding Thursday. The alleged victim is now in a hospital, and though a preliminary hearing is set for Tuesday, it is not believed that at that time more can be done than to set a definite date when the prosecuting witness can appear in court against the defendant.
As clear a case of rape as has ever been tried in the courts will be developed against Swindell if current accounts of the affair are substantiated in the courts. Only 13 years old, Margaret is undeveloped even for her immature age, it is said. She had never been out with Swindell before, those close to the family say, and was trapped into an automobile ride with the deliberate plan on Swindell’s part to carry out the crime which is alleged to have been committed against her. Swindell, it is said, cultivated the friendship of school friends of his intended victim in order that he might have her lured on the trip that for her had such tragic ending.
Swindell, on the other hand, stoutly maintains his innocence of the charge against him and says he will be able to clear himself in the courts. He will be represented by strong legal counsel if he is successful in his efforts to secure Thomas J. Markham and Aydlett & Simpson to defend him. Pending the securing of counsel, however, he refused to see a reporter in his cell Monday afternoon.
Swindell is married but divorced, having made no attempt to contest an action which is wife brought against him on the ground of infidelity. He had never lived with his wife for any length of time and prior to her action for divorce she had him before the recorder’s court for abandonment and non-support.
It was a little less than a year ago that Joe Swindell’s name was mentioned in connection with an attempt at suicide on the part of an Elizabeth City French war bride.
From the front page of the Elizabeth City Daily Advance, Monday, June 23, 1924
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