The New York herald., 1920-12-06
WATERS SLAYER
BARESA MURDER
IN CENTRALPARK
Reidy Says He and Two
Others Killed Frank Bar
Der on Nov. %.
OTHER CRIMES TOLD OF
Trio Taken to Scene of
Shooting, Reenact Lur-
ing of Victim.
MORE ARRESTS LIKELY
Gang Worked Mghtly in
Broadway Seeking Per-
sons Easy to Rob.
OTHER CRIMES TOLD OF
MORE ARRESTS LIKELY

Following closely the announcement
by tho police that they had cleared up
the Waters murder, further confessions
obtained yesterday from two youths ac-
count for another murder committed In
Central Park two weeks ago, and at
least & dozen other crimes, according to
Acting Inspector John J. Coughlin. in
Charge OF the detective bureau. A third
boy was named and all three are now
awaiting arraignment on murder charges.
John Reidy, aged "a, deserter from
the navy, who confessed Saturday that
he had killed Leeds Vaughan Waters In
the Plymouth Hotel on November 3,
further admitted, Coughlin announced,
that he was one of three men who slew
Frank Barber In Central Park on Mo-
vember 23. Edward Kohn. 81. dis
charged soldier. also was charged by
Coughlin with having admitted to a
share in the Barber killing. Both boys
asserted Charles II. Benner, alias Whitley
Nolan, 25, was ringleader Of gang that
has been preying on wealthy strangers
IL the neighborhood of Times Square
Tor several months.
Benner and Kohn were arrested early
yesterday and questioned for hours by z.
Trancis Mario OF the Homicide Bureau
n the District Attorneys office Ben
her did not confess, but hinted he might
..sklk IL lIlC 1ISlEltl <AttOIucy WOuiQ SiaAiI
tulnunity. The police believe they have
.nough evidence to convict all three
Tithout Benner's information. however.
Nd there will be no immunity granted
> any OF them. Coughlin said.
Taken to Scene Of Murder.
After the prisoners had been taken
before Magistrate Levine. in West Side
Court, and held on a charge Of homi-
10 .lzkD r.d ft.a tatx. .frt =
prneys men took them up to Central
lark West, where the Barber murder
as reenacted.
The men showed how they followed
sarber from the Sixty-sixth street park
rate to the Sevcnty-second street gate
ind into the park. Then Kohn. accord
Ing to the confession. ran ahead to see
If all was clear. Benner and Reidy. on
a signal from the lookout. attacked
Barber. Benncr, the two other boys
said, fired a shot that passed through
isarher's neck
When Barber fell. the boys ran
through the park in the direction of the
Webster statue, but turned when they
saw q policeman there. Benner and
Kohn left the park at Sixty-sixth street
and Reidy at Columbus Circle. They
met the following night In the Penn
Post Hotel. Eighth avenue and Thirty
lISL btIcttS OffS Va lihtA hAbheS. eAhA
agreed, so Inspector Coughlln said, to
make no statement If any Of them were
dropped" meaning arrested.
Although Coughlin said he was chiefly
interested in clearing UP the Waters and
Barber murders he said he had secured
also much valuable Information that Will
explain mysterious stickups and rob-
berries OF recent occurrence. The gang.
Reidy and ISohn said, according to
s,oughlin, worked upper Broadway from
Times squire. Sometimes they wore
army or navy uniforms.
Their particular graft" Inspector
Coughlin said. was to make the acquain:-
snce of some man who had been drink
ing and accompany him to a hotel. The
stickup was sometimes accomI Nshed by
flashing fake badge and threatening
arrest Reldy and Kohn had several
convenient furnished rooms where they
took their victims
Poses as n Pugflfst.
Whitley Nolan. Coughiin said, poses as
q champion amateur pugilist. Reidy
made his acquaintance in the Naval Y.
NJ. c. A. In Sands street. Brooklyn.
Kohn, Cougllin said. kept suit case
AT the Hotel Astor. He produced this
for the police, and In It were the clothes
re wore on the night no IS charged with
helping slay Barber. The policeman, who
saw tho boys running on that occasion,
identified Kohn in these clothes as one
of Barbers assallants.
Although the police have not been able
10 find anything of Nolans record. they
said yesterday that he Is mixed up In
some Coney Island robberies. He was
floor manager at Stecplechase Park last
summer.
Magistrate Levine held the prisoners
for further examination to-day.
During the afternoon Mayor Hylan
walked into Police Headquarters and
found his way TO the Detective Bureau
There ho congratulated Acting Inspector
Coughlin and Chief Inspector Ilahey for
the despatch with which the Waters and
Barber murders had been solved. The
detectives who worked on the two cases
did excellent work. he said.