Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-25
BUSCH DEFENDANTS
IN FIGHT IN CELL
Moreno Has Black Eye After
Quarrel Over Testimony
Given Yesterday.

The Government today launched
into the facts surrounding the shoot
ing in Petworth on the morning CT
September 26, as a result of which
Policeman Leo w. K. Busch died two
days later and four men are on trial
in Criminal Division charged with
first-degree murder.
This angle of the case was reached
after several days had been devoted
to testimony linking three Of the four
defendants with series Of hold-ups
and robberies in nearby Virginia.
Thomas j. Watson, now of Madison,
Wis, and who on the morning of the
shooting resided at 4128 Fifth street
gave testimony regarding the gun
battle Policeman Busch had with two
men @of small stature" in front OF
Watson's house, which he both saw
and heard. Watson took Busch to
Garfield Hospital in his automobile
and later was present when u revolver
and cap were found in the neighbor-
hood.
Fight in Cell Reported.
Samuel Moreno, one of the four de-
PENDANTS, appeared in court this
morning with black left eye, which
defense counsel said was inflicted by
John Proctor, another defendant, in
their cell at the courthouse after the
session adjourned yesterday. Martin
ODonoghue, Moreno's attorney, said
that his client told Proctor the two
Government witnesses yesterday after
noon did not tell all of the facts and
that when he took the stand he would
tell the truth. James b. Archer, Proc
tors counsel, reported that Moreno
told his client, "I'll fix you when 1
get on the stand"
Whatever was said, Proctor struck
Moreno in the left eye, with the result
that a large Sinner" appeared on
Moreno's eye this morning.
The testimony Moreno referred to
was given by James w. Callan and
Harris Atchison, friends of three
of the defendants, and 1t was to the
volver when he, Moreno and Nicholas
Lee Eagles left the latters home to
"hi-jack" some liquor.
Testimony Is Interrupted.
Watson's story, told with several
delays and interruptions over objec-
tions by defense counsel, was to this
effect:
About 4, o'clock on the morning of
September 26 he heard shots and went
to the window. He heard persons
running around the corner of Fifth
and Upshur streets and down Fifth.
About the time they passed his house
some one shot from the corner. Then
ne saw Officer Busch round the cor
ner and fire after the fleeing persons.
The ammunition appeared to be ex-
and he was standing in the
middle of the street. The first shots
Watson heard appeared to be in a
volley and were followed by a num-
Der of single shots. Within a. min.
ute after the first firing he heard the
footsteps.
Two men of small stature were
running on the west side of Fifth
street toward Taylor street.
Burch was not running, but was
diagonally into the middle
Of the street when Watson first saw
him. After Watson had called from
the window and offered his assistance.
Burch requested that he be taken to
hospital. Jumping into his bath
robe and slippers, Watson rushed
into the alley, got his car.
and drove off with the officer. Busch
told him to go to Clifton street" and
Watson drove to Garfield Hospital.
In the emergency room the officers
coat, shirt and cap We're removed and
Busch handed Watson his belt and
holster, at the same time asking him
to call the tenth precinct Watson
saw bullet holes in the officers body,
one in front and on the left side of
the abdomen and two under the left
arm.