Evening star., 1928-04-12
ASK INDICTMENTS
AGAINST HOFFMAN
Assistant Prosecutors Call
on Jury-NeW Arrest Hint
ed in Lehman Case.

One or more indictments against
Louis H. Hoffman, physiotherapist, are
expected to be drawn up by United
ing presentation to the grand jury to-
day of evidence regarding the sudden
death in Hoffman's Office, March 8. of
Eleanor NJ. Lehman, 23-year-old typist.
Assistant United States Attorneys Pearl
Mccall and William H. Collins asked
the grand jury to indict Hoffman for
first degree murder and performing q
criminal operation.
After hearing all the evidence. the
grand jury deliberated on the case for
more than an hour, not adjourning foT
lunch until nearly 2 O'Clock. 1t is ex-
pected that an indictment will be re-
turned Monday. Possibility Of another
arrest was hinted this afternoon.
The principal witness against Hoff-
man was Mrs. Dolores Monroe, also
known as Dottie King, who accom-
panied Miss Lehman to Hofman's
Office. She stated after she was taken
into custody last week that Miss Leh-
man went to Hoffman's Office to have
an illegal operation performed and that
while Hoffman was preparing for the
operation, the girl went into convul-
sions. According to Mrs. Monroe's Is
statement, Hoffman then broke Miss
Lehman's neck in order to cover up his
attempt TO operate.
Testifies Before Jury.
Mrs. Monroe is understood to have
related In detail TO the grand jury
everything which led up to Miss Leh-
mans visit to Hoffman's Office and all
the circumstances connected with her
death. She is also understood TO have
testified that Hoffman told her to keep
silent about the real facts Of the case
under q threat of having her put in
jail. Mrs. Monroe left the city after
the inquest and was brought back by
the authorities from Paterson, N. j. A
charge of manslaughter was placed
against her and she was released on
$500 bond.
After she had told fier story to the
United States attorney upon her return
to washington. Hoffman, who had been
released on bond. was rearrested and
he IS now In the District Jail. The case
win be brought to trial promptly. 1t was
stated today at the United States at
torney'S ONCE. Mr.. Rover may ask that
May Is be fixed as the date for the
beginning of the trial.
At the request of Miss Mccall,
presented to Justice Siddons of the
District Supreme Court this morning.
Mrs. Monroe was committed as ma
terial witness and released on $500
bond. The charge of manSlaughter
against her was dismissed.
Parker Not Called.
Charles H. Parker, q friend of Miss
Lehman. who worked with her in the
Office of the United Artists Corporation.
a moving picture concern, was present
in the grand jury witness room during
the investigation today, but was not
asked to testify.
Campbell Howard. attorney for Hoff-
man. who was called into Hoffman'S
offics when Miss Lehman went into
convulsions and helped TO hold her. was
also on the list of witnesses. but was
excused from testifying. Howard. IL Is
understood. was not present when Miss
Lehman died, having left the office Just
before Hoffman Is alleged to have brok-
en- the girls neck.
DR.. A. NJ. Macdonald. deputy coroner.
who performed the first autopsy on
Miss Lehman's body and reported at
the inquest that she died of a broken
neck, was one of the witnesses today.
Another was DR.. John y. Rogers,
deputy coroner. who together with DR..
Macdonald performed a second post
mortem examination Of Miss Lehman's
body after 1t was exhumed Monday.
Other witnesses before the grand Jury
today were Policeman Phillip. X. Clark,
who was the first 10 arrive at Aoffman'S s
ONCE after Miss Lehmanis death. and
Lieut.. Edward j. Kelly. chief of the
hNfrfrffa xHntaA uhFN had hensR
eating the case for the United States
attorney.
A. NJ. Weinberg. manager of the
United Artists Corporation here. was
as witness. but was. ex-
cused from teStifying,
To Defend Hoffman.
Harry w, Nice. former State attorney
OF Baltimore County. Md. called at the
ONCE Of Mr.. Rover this afternoon and
stated that he had been retained by
Hoffman's father. who lives In Ralti-
more, to assist in defending the
Although he had been served notice
to hold himself In readiness as a witt
ness before the grand jury. Attorney
Campbell Howard. counsel for Hotf-
man, was informed today by Miss Me-
Call that he would not be called. The
coroner's inquiry into the death OF Miss
Lehman had disclosed that Mr.. How
ard knew some of the facts in the case
through his relations with Hoffman.
When he received the Jury summons.
he advised Miss Mccall that he would
gladly place himself at the disposal of
the district attorneys ONCE. She told
him his presence before the grand Jury
probably would be required between ii
and II 80 o'clock today and promised
to notify him at his ONCE. When 1880
o'clock arrived and no word had come
from Miss Mccall, he telephoned her
and was informed that he was not need
ed, Mr.. Howard later issued statement
explaining the facts and adding that he
was perfectly willing TO 50 before the
grand jury at any time.