Evening star., 1928-03-29
Texas House Member Intro
duCeS First Character Wit
ness for Accused.
OF LAWYER
Anglers REPRESENTATIVE
Threatens to Bolt Trial and Take
Whole Case to Higher
Court.


camp" this afternoon when he put on
the stand the first witness for the de-
tense of Policeman Orville Staples. who
is facing charges Of bribery, hi-iacking
and conduct unbecoming an officer.
After 3iz days Of argument and
hearing before the Police Trial Board
the prosecution rested it case when the
board reconvened after the luncheon
period. Assistant Corporation Counsel
Robert L. Williams made a reservation
that he be permitted to call a woman
witness, Lethia &. HAZEL, later during
the hearing.
Declaring he was going to put "one
Of the best and most reliable officers
on the force" on the stand as q char
acter witness, Mr.. Blanton called Police
man Rupert Mcneil. He Immediately
asked Mcneil whether there was not q
disposition on the part Of the men at
the third precinct 70 refuse 20 work
with Staples, because Of his supposed
influence with a Congressman.
Chairman Protests.
Blanton asked several leading cues-
tions. and Chairman William H. Wahly
protested against the method Of inter-
rogation.
DO you claim this IS a hostile wit
ness?" asked Mr. Wahly.
NO. he's honest. straightforward and
clean. One Of the best men on the
force" Blanton replied, "but I'm now
going into the enemy's camp"
Officer Mcneil said he had heard some
tax about the men not wishing 70 work
with Staples and testified that he had
volunteered TO work in pair with the
accused officer.
Didn't you say YOU we're not afraid
TO run with any one, Blanton asked.
And were not afraid Of any Congress
man"
Yes" Mcneil replied, 7 took him
over
Blanton asked him what he thought
of Staples record.
Il found him a good oficer all the
time worked with him. Mcneil re-
piled
The question Of the morality of a
woman witness who vas not brought
into court was brought up by Blanton
In an effort 70 discredit testimony pre-
yiouSly given by Mrs. Marie Waters, one
of the accuseEs OF Staples.
BlantonS Ire Aroused.
Chairman Wahly protested that the
question Of immortality does not affect
the Credibility Of woman witness.
'But II goes 10 the meat in the COCO
nut in this kind OF a case" Blantou In
sisted, and the question Of her reputa-
ton for morality is very material
BlantOn threatened 10 bolt and sp-
peal the case TO higher tribunal IN
order to get square deal shortly after
the proceedings started today.
Blanton'S ire was aroused by the par
n
counsel for Policeman Joseph H. Hunt
IncenSed by the attorneys appearanc-
IN the case. the fiery Texan protestgS
70 the board against being subjected
the lndlgnity' Of the PROCEEDINGS =
appealed to and won the assurances 4
the board that his dignity would 2
protected but Chairman Wahly ?
fused 70 bar the attorney.
Tries to Expose Frame
Throughout day marked by
quent clashes Blanton threw down
gauntlet 70 the crooks of waShirSto.
and launched a vigorous defense q b
participation In lnyeSFiga .ion az T.
Police Department. He subjected II
Speetor Lewis j. Stoll and Lieut. Agiks
Keaoy 20 a particularly severe cross
examination IL an effort, as he claimed.
10 expose the "frame-up" OF Staples.
Deliberately charging Lieut. Ready
with having preferred one OF the chSrgss
against Staples out Of retaliation Tor
MS own recent trial fer tntOxlcation,"
bIanton later eNoueratsd him cg any
responsibility with the case
Drunk or sober Mike" he said.
you're q good lriShman and xood
police othcer, ] relieve YOU of any re-
SponSIollty IN this case believe you
wnsn you testify that you did not know
this charge was untrue
Holds Staples Good Ofsiccr."
Blanton secured from Ready an ac-
&noVledgment that Policeman Staples
was a very goOd and efaclen, osicer"
khe charge Itself GSals With a conf
plaint NJ u SAL Indebtedness 70 the
Fidelity Storage Co and II his answer
e Il Staples had informed the depart-
mcnt he had ulcd ar involuntary bank
ruptey proceeding, listing this aS one
Of The debts
Failure NJ Inspector Stoll "a locate
me mystery house at which Blanton
charges t9c pAlt AGAINST StaNlTS Mas
Matched iyylyated the Texan HE Warned
Inspector St0ll that lt seemed iavve3iele
after 80 years on this service he could
NOT and oUt where the house Was 10
Gated
Banton Makes Objection.
sparks began to nv thick and fast
aS soon rs the trial al,eued fNr IT,
fourth day The nrSt clash came when
hlanton objected to Attorney Epwler
demanding that he Ne permitted u
all witnesses. ). II. Dan-
onue, attorney f0r Mis- Marie Waters
and AtrS. Helen Williams, two ~ ths
prosecution witnesses alSo
was present. After a spirited DISPUTE
the beard upheld Assistant Corporattcn
Counsel Williams. who congenasI that
witnesses had q right - De represented
by counsel
Before preceedNS With the case Mr.
6lanton said he wanted u hiring
matter SO {he attention az the trtal
oNard, ANA pat pVllceman Hugh Corn
Nau et the tenth pgeclocG on the wit-
leAS stand
Cornwall told ot deteettug a colore5
man Sneakng up the alley hack N M
hlantonS hOme a. 1891 irving street
about 5 O'Clock This morning StsSpi-
'ious ot the mans movements. ths Of
1cer followed HIM out Seventeenth
street and placed hun under arrest
The man who gave, the name IT Royal
A Walls. 81 lf24 Seventeenth street.
Nas released after ne satisfied the ~
Ice that he had NO eVal attentions
According tO CornWans testimony the
leSlo todd hun ne had RlSt come from
senator hlangon's house O. see MI
.... NJ. ss.f.......