New-York tribune., 1922-06-08
County Seeks a Jerome or
Whitman TO Convince
Public of Determination
to Do Complete Justice
Wife Is Expected
On Stand To-day
Grand Jury Effort TO Get
Names of Guests on Eve
of Killing Is Resumed

Wesfhester County officials are un-
derstood to be canvass.ng the country
for special prosecutor Of the caliba
Of Charles s. Whitman or William
fravers Jerome 70 conduct the states
case against Walter s. Ward when he
is brought to trial for killing Clarence
Peters. District Attorney Weeks is
said TO feel that no effort or expense
should be spared in convincing the
people of the county that the million
aires son is to be prosecuted as Wig
orously as would be the case OF a man
without money who might find himself
in n similar situation.
Lawyers who are familiar with crimi-
nal procedure in trials where the bur
den Of proof falls as heavily on the
prosecution as IL does in the Ward
mystery, say that the caase may take
several curious turns. For example, the
grand jury proceedings may be halted
indefinitely without an indictment be-
ing returned after District Attorney
Weeks has made full use OF the in
quisitorial powers vested IN the grand
jury.
"Fishring Expedition" Charged
There has been n feeling in legal
circles in Westchester County that the
District Attorney has started a fishing
expedition. conducting a portion Of his
investigation OF the Peters killing and
the alleged blackmail which is supposed
10 have caused II, before the grand
jurors because they can force witnesses
to reply TO questions. When he had
accomplished as much as is possible in
that way the information gained can be
turned over TO Pinkertons for further
digging after facts.
Eventually the grand jury will be
asked 20 bring in a FIRST degree murder
Indictment. If this bill is returned
Ward will be arrested Immediately, and
it is probable that the defense will at
tempt to force the hand Of the prose-
cution by asking for q speedy trial.
For this reason there arc some persons
in White Plains who would not be sur
prised to see the proceedings before
the grand jury drag on indefinitely.
II. however. the grand jury should
decide to iadict Ward for o lesser Of
fcnse than first degree murder, n IS
believed that District Attorney Weeks
will call for a superseding indictment
and bring the grand jury before the
presiding justice 10 ask for instruc-
tions. The presiding justice is Justice
Morschauser.
MAY Recall Mrs. Ward To-day
The grand jury resumes It's inquiry
to-day. and IT was said last night that
Mrs. Beryl Curtis Ward. who was so
evasive at the first hearing on Tuesday.
may be recalled. The District Attorney
probably will seek TO force her 10 re-
I Il IL 1t all ~ a
| her guests during the foTty-cight hours
/ that preceded the discovery OF the body
] Of Clarence Peters in the Chappaons
Koe
I This information is required. il IS
understood, by the Pinkerton detectives
who have been trying 10 find out where
and when Ward met Peters or the oc-
casion that ended in the shooting.
Among the other witnesses slated 20
/ testify are members Of the stan Of
"The New York American" who first
talked with James j. Cunningham. race
track detective. who is held as n ma
/ terial witness in the county jail al
/ White Plains.
Maurice Mccarthy, attorney for
1 Cunningham. after futile efforts 10 get
a bondsman for the $4,000 bail on
which his client Is held, made another
application yesterday for the release
| Of Cunningham. lie vent before Jus
/ ticc Seeger, who reserved declsion-
Then Mr. Mccarthy asked for n reduc,-
tion Of bail and the justice reserved
decision also OIL that application.
Mr.. Mccarthy in his argument &c,
clared that Charley Ross ana JACK
probably would have told their own
story 70 the Westchestcr authorities
before this had Cunning hams story not
been printed. Cunningham, according
TO a statement made by McCarthy yst-
terday, was acting as a go,oetweeh lor
two missing witnesses and ne NeW
York American" which first ppbish,ea
Cunningham account Mr. McOaIlhs
said the witnesses were 10 nave re-
eeived $4,000 for telling their story
for publication and, in addition, Were
TO have been promised adequate plo-
lection from prosecution EVen no.'
according 20 Mr.. Mccarthy, tnese nneIl
might be induced TO tell their see1ee ,!''
10 the Westchester County prosecutor
II assured immunity.
Insists Witness Is Friendiy
In his argument before justice
seeger Mr.. Mccarthy made the POM POM
that the statute permitting the morning
Of material witnesses did not eoh,em-
njstc the detention OF friendly VII
nesses. such as Cunningham
ncunningham's friendliness, re-
,ortcd the Justice. would not preclude
,be nossibiiity Of his being kidnapped IN
order 70 prevent his testifylng.
when the grand jury adjourns 10,
night il will not convene again until