Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-30
A SUSPICIOUS COUPLE.
Said to Have Operated the Panel and Badger
Cameo,


little woman with pale face and a man
with rosy cheeks were defendants in the Police
Court this morning. The woman wore dia
monds, but was not very good looking. while
the man was not only well dressed, but he wa,
also nice looking.
The mans name is not, but he was charged
az, John Doe. although the officers also know
him as John Wroe. His companions name was
given as Jennie Brown. There were two
charges against them. They were charged
under the vagrancy act with being suspicious
persons. and under an act of the Legislative
assembly they we're also charged with being
confidence people.
Detectives Mahon and Carter gave evidence
against them. The former described the
panel and badger" games which he alleged
they operated, and he told Of their bad repu-
tation.
THE ''PANEL" AND "BADeER'' GAMES.
The 'paner' game. he said, is operated in
this way: The woman picks MP man and takes
him to her room and the mans clothes are
placed where panel in the door has been so
nxed that the confederate can reach through
and get them. In the badger game the sup
posed husband appears makes the victim empty
his pocket, and the latter cannot afford to
squesl. Witness said he had no personal knowl-
edge that these defendants had played these
games.
Detective Carter gave similar evidence and
.old OF an instance of an old man who was
picked up by the woman, but his statement was
made IN confidence and the mans name could
not therefore be given.
The officers told Of former arrests of the de-
PENDANTS, the last time being about two years
ago. Detective Mahon said that about a week
ago he met the couple in a cafe on 14th street
and he located their room on 18th street.
folceman Moore, who arrested the woman,
testified to her conduct on the street In speak
ing to men and he told of a conversation she
had with an old man at 14th and G streets.
=, The photographs of the defendants. taken at
the time OF their former arrest we're offered in
evidence. The features we're distorted and the
defendants could hardly be recognized from
the pictures.
After hearing the evidence of Officer Weldon
and others Gen. Darlington, for the defendants,
demurred to the evidence. The demurrer was
overruled and counsel called the defendants to
testify in their own behalf, but they declined
to make statements under oath.
THE COURTS COMMENTS.
The court commenting on the law said it was
one OF the best laws now in force in the city
The law does not wait for the commission Of q
crime, but it is intended to prevent the COM
mission of the offense by professional thief,
burglar or confidence man.
The judge said that the whole scheme is Just
as plain as daylight They don't pick up ordi-
nary-looking people, but they go for married
men of good standing and church members and
Others who cannot afford to make known their
troubles. The judge, commenting Oh the plan of
operations, told how the citizen is first en-
trapped by goodlooking woman and then the
man appears and expresses his madness in pro-
portion to the size Of the victims pocket book
These people, the court said, will have to learn
that a Judgment of this court means something
When they were released two years ago it was