Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-15
CASE OF MRS, BRADLEY
Views of United States Attorney
as to Indictment.
TO TAKE THE USUAL COURSE
Frail Condition of Defendant May
Hasten Matters.
THE QUESTION OF WITNESSES
Attorney Leckie Issues Statement and
Attorney Hoover Replies Thereto
Prisoner Writes Letters.
TO TAKE THE USUAL COURSE
THE QUESTION OF WITNESSES

Mrs. Annie NJ. Bradley, the alleged slayer
of former Senator Arthur Brown OF Utah.,
may or may not be indicted by the present
grand jury, according to a statement made
today by United States Attorney Baker to
Star reporter. If it is shown that the
witnesses now in this city will be sufficient
for the purpose of presenting the matter
clearly to the grand jurors, then. perhap s,
the indictment may be drawn before the
Christmas holidays.
Should it become necessary to send away
from the District for one or more witnesses
to complete the thread of testimony against
the woman, then, Mr.. B-ker says. the mat
ter will have to go over to the new grand
jury, which is summoned for New Year
day. At this time the matter of procuring
evidence against Mrs. Bradley is being con-
sidered by the law officers.
United States Attorney Baker says the
case is not out of the ordinary, so far as
his office is concerned, and indicated that
unless some extraordinary circumstances
arise it will be allowed to take the usual
course of homicide cases.
Frail Physical Condition.
1t was intinlated by an attorney who is
not connected with the United States at
torneys office that the frail physical con-
dition of Mrs. Bradley may induce Mr..
Baker to perhaps give the case more
prompt consideration than it would other
wise receive.
Mr.. Baker added that so far as his office
Is concerned he sees no reason why the
testimony against Mrs. Bradley may not
be submitted to the present grand jury,
whose term expires with the current year.
1T was learned this afternoon that Judge
John A Bagley, member of the Salt Lake
City law firm which has been engaged by
Mrs. Bradley's relatives and friends there to
assist in her defense is en- route to this
city. While proceeding through Idaho the
train he was on became snowbound and he
may not reach here, it is said until tho
middle of next week.
The Jail officials stated this afternoon
that Mrs Bradley is resting quietly. She
has written a number of letters and today
Messrs. Hoover and Wells of her counsel
called and conversed with her regarding
the case.
Attorney Leckie's Statement.
Attorney A. E. L. Leckie, who was orig
inally retained as counsel for Mrs. Brad
ley, and who, upon receiving a telegram
from Bartch & Bagley, lawyers, of Salt
Lake City, visited the woman in her cell at
the first precinct police station after mid
night, following the shooting of Brown in
withdrawing from the case, as stated in
The Star yesterday, made public the fol-
lowing statement:
at is exceedingly distasteful to me to
have anything to say of a personal nature
as to the case of Mrs Bradley. under the
shadow of the death of ex-senator Brown
and the serious charge of crime against the
unfortunate woman, but in view of the pub
LEGATION of letter yesterday from Mrs.
Bradley to me- which, apparently put me
in the false position Of having tried to re-
main In case in which my services We're
not desired, it is proper, in justice to my
self, to say:
II was retained early Sunday morning by
| a telegram r. frp1
of prominent lawyers in Salt Lake City, to
assist them in her defense. Following their
instructions saw Mrs. Bradley on Sunday,
Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday
morning 1 received the letter, part Of which
was published. Soon afterward 1 received
telegram from Mr.. Bagley that he was
starting to Washington. and on Thursday
morning I received telegram, which was
as follows:
"'Mr. Leckie, kindly deliver following
message to Mrs Bradley: anna, we have
acted for your best interests. With full
knowledge of the facts we now make this
final appeal to you to accept the counsel
we have arranged with. Your present
course is absolutely wrong. For the last
time, will you listen to your relatives and
friends. l.. NJ. CO.
II called early that morning to deliver the
message, as requested, and after an inter-
view, at which Mr.. Hoover was present, at
with Messrs. Hoover and Wells at the in
quest. To my establishment, on the after
noon of the same day, found part of the
letter I had received the day before had
been published. L do not believe Mrs
Bradley was responsible for the letter or its
publication, but any talk of my continuance
| in the case with Messrs. Hoover and Wells
| is absurd
Reply of Attorney HcoveA.
In reply to Mr.. Leckies statement Mr..
J George P. Hoover of the firm of Wells,
Hoover & Wells stated today:
Our time is too much occupied with the
consideration of the interests of our client
to permit us to enter into a public discus
sion with any other lawyer as to the
propriety of our action in connection with
the case of Mrs. Bradley. We do not feel
that anything Mr.. Leckie might say could
| in any way detract from our standing with
fellow members OIL the bar or others who
know us.
MRS. Bradley, like any other citizen, had
the undoubted right to select her own coun-
sci, which she did when she had become
sufficiently composed to give the matter
consideration. Having exercised this pre-
rogative it is difficult to understand how
| any one else could rightfuily complain.
Mr.. Leckie was given the opportunity to
remain in the case under direction,
which he declined to do. In view Of the at
| titude assumed by Mr.. Leckie we feel that
! the only mistake we have made in this mat
ter was in being too considerable of his per-
| sonal feelings, which he has failed to APP
preciate."