Evening star., 1928-03-31
Prosecutor and Texan Clash
as StoII Is Asked of
"MyStery" House.
TRIAL IN UPROAR AGAIN
AS RECESS IS ORDERED
Inspector Admits Shielding Resi-
dents From Publicity and Draws
Sharp Rebuke From Defense.

Frayed nerves at the trial of Police-
man Orville Staples. before the police
trial board, resulting in charges and
counter charges between opposing coun-
sci, threw the hearing into another up
roar few minutes before an unexpect-
ed recess was taken until O'Clock.
Representative Blanton of Texas, who
had put Inspector Louis j. Stoll under
another grilling about the mystery
house, vas charged by prosecution coun-
sci with trying to intimidate the police
trial board. policemen. witnesses and
even counsel for the prosecution.
The Texan retaliated by claiming that
Inspector Stoll was deliberately shield
ing the people in the house at l242
Nineteenth street. where affidavits ac-
cusing Policeman Staples had been pre-
pared by several woman witnesses.
Staples Wife Testifes.
An unexpected call from the Office
of Mr.. Blanton broke up the proceed
ings at this point and prevented
further clashes between counsel.
The tilt between Blanton and As
sistant Corporation Counsel Robert L
Williams occurred Immediately after
two negro boOtleggers had denied brib-
ing Staples and after Mrs. Staples, the
defendants wife. had told the trial
board details of the happenings in her
home following an attempt to shoot
her husband the Thursday before the
trial commenced. when she had to ap-
peal for police protection for fear
somebody would come and shoot him
again"
Inspector Stoll was recalled by Blan-
ton TO give the definite location of the
so-called mystery house" which led 70
protests from Williams
He has answered that question three
times. and to the best of his knowledge
the house was on Nineteenth street"
Williams declared.
II submit that this course Of pro-
cedure is irregular and out of any sense
of justice. reason and right"
Turning 70 Chairman William H.
Wahly. the prosecutor further protested.
Charges Intimidation
This amicus curiae and counsel has
made persistent attempts 70 intimidate
this trial board, every police officer OF
the department called as witness and
| even counsel"
Mr.. Williams added that Blanton's
method of examining Inspector Stoll
was ''manifestly intimidation Of this
| blood was thoroughly aroused.
He protested 10 the board against the
''slurring remarks Of Blanton, who had
referred to Inspector Stoll several times
during the trial in questioning boot
leggerS as that ofacer with the brass
buttons on"
Further conduct along this line. Mr..
Williams told the board. was beneath
the dignity of this tribunal"
Mr.. Blantop. who earlier in the day
had held out a cienched fist TO prove
that hts nerves were steady, declared
that Mr. Williams statement 10 the
trial board was unfair and untrue"
Inspector Stoil has never stated posi-
lively the location OF the mystery
house." he explained.
He then turned to Stoll and repeated
his question.
1T is Just as I told you yesterday, at
i342 Nineteenth street" the inspector
replied He explained that he went
there last night under orders from
Superintendent of Police Edwin b.
HeSSe and said the house looked more
familiar at night than in the daytime.
Shielding Is ASsailed.
In reply to a query by Blanton as 20
why he did not want to state positively
yesterday about the address, Inspector
Stoll said he wanted 10 shield the
people from notoriety because they had
nothing to do with this case"
And YOU came IN here deliberately
and tried TO shield these people In this
house where these false affadavitS were
made out7" Blanton demanded angrily
pounding the table.
Looking the irate Representative in
the eye. Stoll replied. IN 50 before
. "a Usf hat tNaR
anything 10 do with e." Rlanton had
jumped TO his feet 70 make q reloinder
when he was interrupted by y mes
Senger. saying he was wanted lna-
mediately az his Office ana the crowd
OF spectators, including the man with
the gold teeth" who has been con-
Stantly IN attendance III the front
row. and on one Or two occasions ngur-
ms in the trial, seemed disappointed as
recess was taken.
Before the recess Blanton called as
witnesses two eolored men. Robert
t'Slim'N Caldwell and SilaS jefferson,
alias Brother Gales, who testified With
out batting an eye that they were
professional hnotleggerSs and known
as such 10 the police,
Rootlegger UnaShamed,
jefferson. who Is IN appearance
exactly What his nickname applies. was
asked by Blanton what ne was doing
in the courtroom before taking the
stand,
just waiting aromde" he replied
Why didn't YOU stay outside where
witnesses are supposed 81 Stays" Rlan-
ton demanded,
"You are we'll known professional
hootleggcr aren't you2" Rlanton asked,
"YeS." Brother Gales answered
And you're not ashamed TO say So9"
No. indeed,
And not afraid 10 say So With all
these police arounds"
Brother Gales hooked at Inspector
StollS brass buttons and gasea IN ua-
perturhed manner at other policemen,
mo, indeed, he said
hlanton asked HIM. as he had asked
Caldwell before hun, about Inspector
Ston going to him and questioning hun
about alleged nrtoe money given to
policemen
Caldwell had denied giying staples or
any other officer hrtee moneN, and
Jefferson tolned emphatlealN IN This
denial aS regards himself,
MANY 0Hleers Mentioned
brother Cakes teld ef going down
10 police headquarters % see Inspector
stoll after ne had heard grom his gixl
friend that the ofilceg had been looking
for him,
"nid Inspector sten ask you about
paving money 70 any pelieemanF"
hlanton demanded.
Yes, he mentioned several pnpes.
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