Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-12
POLICEMAN SLAYER
OF AUTO SPEEDER
is CITED FOR TRIAL

Continued from First Page)
would have had to shoot at an angle
of about 80 degrees in order to Kill
Hall. The fact of the matter is that
the motor car was driving directly
behind and a little to the left of the
automobile and that Campbell shot
deliberately through the rear window
of the automobile to kill or seriously
wound Hall. 1t is also interesting TO
note that for one driving a small mo-
torcycle Buchanan had a very hazy
recollection of what really happened.
This fact was brought out at the
cononer's inquest.
Alleges He Shot to Kill.
Victims are rarely shot in the
back of the head unintentionally. To
my mind, Campbell shot to kill, and
all for the violation of a traffic regu.
lation. An efficient, worthwhile Off
Ger of the law will use his head.
not his gun, in making an arrest.
Another interesting fact brought
out at the inquest was that the Gov
eminent representatives We're only in
terested in whether or not Officers
Buchanan and Campbell smelled
liquor. No thought whatever was
given to the fact that a young boy
20 years old was killed in cold blood
for a minor infraction of the law.
Campbell enda ngered his own life
far more than did Hall. who was I'm.
armed and defenseless.
This condition Of affairs in the Dis
trict should he remedied. Hall Is
dead. and no action your department
can possibly take can restore his life.
But others can he protected from the
Hall OUTRAGE and menace, and If your
department will not raise a. hard 10 do
it, l will use by own influence as a
Senator.
"A law should be enacted in the Dis.
trict making 1t A criminal offense for
a police officer to shoot or kill a de-
fenseless victim upon any charge
whatever unless the officers very
life is at stake.
ASsails "Brigandage" Here.
with thousands of contemplate
civilian sneaks and shoppers peeking
through the keyholes of their neigh
bors. trying to sniff or locate a pint
of gin; with prohibition agents hold.
ing UP pedestrians and motorists on
the highways and byways, with no
warrant Of justification; with police
officers killing motorists upon the
flimsiest preteXts. Washington is as
safe to live in as frontier Balkan
village Of brigands.
"A human life is worth more than
all the confiscated liquor within our
shores Send violators of traffic
laws. and DRINKS, to Jail for six
months or six years. They deserve
punishment. But should they be shot
down in cold blood? Without even a
chance of defending themselves with
arms or in the courts?
You and your department can
count upon my active cooperation III
Kidding Washington of the "shoot-to-
kill' officer
Officer Campbell should be dis
missed from the police force and
made to suffer for the irreparable
wrong he has done. Instead of dis
miSSal, however, he Is back on the
force after an inefficient and back
homeless coroner has called the Hall
murder iustiiable
My experience as New Jersey
State official taught me that the end
ing OF coroner's inquest Is as truly
indicative of guilt or innocenca of a
| man as is the Anti-Saloon League of
prohibition sentiment in America"
ITesse for Full Inquiry.
Mai. Hesse said he was in complete
accord with those dema nding the full.
est investigation of the case He start.
ed the police department investigation
at Z o clock Sunday morning, a few
| hours after the shooting. and at II
o'clock on that day had q preliminary
report on his desk regarding the af.
| fair.
| He expressed complete surprise At
| the verdict Of the coroner's Jury. He
| made 1t clear that the Police Depart
| ment had done it's fullest to present
| the case TO the coroner's inquest, and
/ he had expressed Il personal prediction
| that the outcome would be otherwise
! than an eXoneration, yet, he said, he
did not wish to criticize the action oil
that body.
when a policeman uses his psto
as prescribed by the manual. in the
urgent need of protecting his own life
or under the press of such extraordi
nary emergencies that there is no al
tentative, | will back him to the
| limit" Maj. lIcsse said. when he
does not | am against him. | an
recommending trial board action n
! this case"
Evans Submits Report.
The final report which Assistant
Superintendent of Police Evans placed
before Maj tesse this morning, as q
result of which the trial board actor
was ordered, is as follows
THE evidence in the case shows
that this car was seen speeding OF
Michigan avenue into Hardwood road
and the officers gave chase. Tire occu
pants of the car evidently did MOI
know that they were being pursued, a.
the car slowed down near the scale
gate Of Soldiers Home, where one 81
the occupants got out and went into
the Catholic University grounds. Il
,h sa proceeded rdsd on ',i, north or