The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-02-17
HOLD SlAYER'S
STORY IS TRUE
Attorneys Think Campbell, Fac
ing Gallows, Didn't Lie for
Two Convicts.

Did william Henry Campbell.
negro. realizing he
faced death on the District gallows
for the staying OF Mrs. Gertrude
Harrison Mann, Washington music
teacher, take responsibility for the
criminal attacks made on Miss Mary
b. Saunders. former employe OF the
Army Intelligence. and Mrs. Bessie
Gleason, of Nicholson place north
east, In order to obtain the release
of Louis Randall and "Woodhead"
Eaglan, both OF whom are serving
prison terms after having been con-
yicted of the latter crimes?
PUZZLE PRISONERS COUNSEL.
Or was CampbelPs confession that
he attacked Mrs. Gleason and Miss
Saunders obtained through duress
and the severe methods OF the third
degree by the police following his
arrest?
These questions are puzzling coun-
sci for both Eaglan and Randall.
Eaglan IL serving "A twenty-year term
in the Maryland penitentiary for the
criminal attack made on Miss Saun-
ders. and Randall Is confined In the
Atlanta prison. serving a life sem
tence. for the attack on Mrs. Gleason.
Both OF the negroes have maintain
ed their innocence OF any connection
with the attacks on either Miss Saun-
ders or Mrs. Gleason, refusing to
make any discriminating statements
regardless of severe gruelings they
were subjected to by the police.
Campbell was convicted by a jury
in Criminal Division No. I. District
Supreme Court yesterday for the STAY
ing OF Mrs. Mann. Justice Gould.
who presided at the trial, will SEN
tence the negro to death on the Dis
trict gallows within a few days.
Following Campbelrs arrest by De-
tective George Duyall. OF the Tenth
Precinct the negro not only con-
fessed to the staying OF Mrs. Mann
but declared, 81 also attacked Miss
Saunders and Mrs. Gleason"
Asked IL he was trying to cover
up" Randall and Eaglan, because he
believed he would die for the killing
OF the music teacher. the negro said
he would take the detectives to tho
scenes of the crimes and show them
how he attacked the two women.
This was done.
DETECTIVES CREDIT STORY.
Inspector Clifford l.. Grant. chief OF
detectives, Detectives A. B. Scrivener
and Edward J. Kelly, and other men,
bers Of the police department, were
convinced and stin are that Campbell
told the truth when he claimed ne
attacked the three women.
But, after Campbell had engaged
Royal A. Hughes as his counsel, the
negro repudiated the confession. he
denied that he had made the admis-
sions although he had signed them.
W hen going to trial on Tuesday ne
entered a plea of not guilty. But,
after Detectives Patrick O'Brien and
George Darnall had testified of the
Campbell is alleged to
have made to them regarding the
Staying OF Mrs. Mann, the jury after
20 minutes deliberation brought in a
verdict of guilty as indicted" There
is only one penalty for first degree
murder in the District of Columbia
death by hanging. This sentence
will be imposed on Campbell on Feb
ruary 25.
Whenever signed confessions of
guilt are in the hands of the Gov
eminent, il is a general policy TO
have them introduced unless they are
ruled out by the court The Govern
meent yesterday did not attempt to
introduce CampbelIs signed confess
sion, although Royal A. Hughes. the
Negroes lawyer, declared he had no
bjection to it's introduction. Instead,
the detectives were put on the stand
to tell what Campbell had stated re-
garding the Mann killing.
QUICK ACTION FOR CONvICTS.
No reference was made by the de-
tectives to the admission made by
Campbell that he had also attacked
Miss Saunders and Mrs. Gleason.
With the conviction OF Campbell,
Attorneys James l.. Pugh, former
Police Court Judge, OF counsel for
Eaglan, and Thomas Beckett, counsel
for Randall. announced that they in
tend to take Immediate action in an
effort to obtain the release OF their
clients from the prisons In which
they are confined.
Judge Pugh declared that he IN.
tended to communicate with Govern
or Richie and the board of prison
parole of Maryland. presenting
Campbell's admissions and other cir.
cumstances In an effort to obtain
Eaglan's release from the Maryland
penitentiary. Attorney Beckett Is ne
gotiating with assistants OF Attorney
General Palmer demanding that Ran
dali be pardoned from the Federal
prison at Atlanta.
While counsel for Eaglau and Ran
dali. as well as several OF the head
quarters detectives feel that the
negroes are innocent OF the crimes