The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-06-06


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"Attaboy. wardie !" and "Oh. you
Wardie :" drew smile.
Yesterday in charging the June Grand
Jury. Judge Bleakley said:
Judge Declines Inquiry.
During the past month a homicide
has been committed within the county.
The killing and many Of the facts in
connection Herewith have become no.
torious. 1 do not know whether or not
these facts will be presented to you or to
the Supreme Court Grand Jury. which
has now been discharged. but in view of
the statements contained in certain
newspapers that counsel for the person
connected with the killing is a partner
of mine. 1 would suggest that the Dis
trict Attorney take this matter before
the Supreme Court Grand Jury.
1T is. however. my duty to say to
you that am not a party of the coun-
sci referred to. and am not engaged in
the practice of law. as / am prohibited
IF, however, the District Attorney. In
his discretion. elects to place the facts
before you. it is well that you'd should
be advised. Make a thorough and
searching investigation of this matter.
Summon before you every witness that
has any knowledge Of the facts. Do not
rest until you have heard every particle
Of evidence and until you have deter
mined whether or not a crime has been
committed. and II you find that a crime
has been committed indict the offender
forthwith.
IT is equally notorious that the person
who admits the killing Is a man Of
wealth. Do not be swayed by passion or
prejudice. Give this man his rights, but
give him no greater rights than the poor
unfortunate who is unable to obtain
counsel.
1.-The same rules Of evidence apply, the
same degree of proof is required in each
instance, for the law is no respecter Of
persons. This may come to you as your
duty. Your interest and my interest
are identical. 1t is the interest of every
citizen of this county that this matter
be sifted to the bottom and the truth
ascertained in as short space of time
as is commensurate with Justice
Cunningham Defended.
Cunningham's lawyer. Maurice j. Nc
Carthy of 81 William street, New York,
asked Justice Seeger for writ of habeas
corpus on the ground that his client had
been unlawfully held by Coroner Fitz-
gerald. In the afternoon. when the writ
was argued before the same judge, the
lawyer said:
I'm his statement. which is essentially
correct, my client said he is willing to
cooperate with the authorities and clean
up this alleged blackmail plot
James J. Cunningham was employed
years ago as a private detective by the
New York Jockey Club and as investi-
gator and detective he has been excep-
tionally successful. He has thwarted
numerous blackmail plots, in cne Of
which more than 100000 was involved.
'He has nothing to conceal in this
case. He Is a victim of circumstances
He was trying to foil blackmail plot
Two weeks before the killing of Peter
Cunningham had an interview VITA
Jackson. who formerly worked for hinf
and Jackson approached him on tn
matter OF taking up blackmail case
Cunningham said he would look into It
That was the last he saw of Jackson
until the morning Of May .16. when, be-
tween / and 1 80 A. NJ. jackson and
Rogers got him on the telephone at his
home in The Bronx and said Jackson
was wounded.
fCunningham told Rogers to get q
doctor. They said they couldn't, be
cause the authorities were after them.
About 2:30 Cunningham met them neal
his home Tin The Bronx. They haC
done nothing for Jackson's wound, ano
Cunningham urged them to see a doctor
- nj a m "a,
his coat. with the intention of notifying
the police. When he returned. however
Jackson and Rogers were gone. Suisse
quently Cunningham met Rogers II
Stamford and tried to get in touch with
Jackson. but was told that Jackson wa:
too sick.
III Jackson and Rogers can be found
this alleged blackmail plot can bt
cleared up In two minutes"