Evening star., 1928-04-07
Verdict Holds Policeman Vio-
lated Rules of Discipline
in Department.
DEFENDANT MAY APPEAL
FROM FINDING IN CASE
Four of Charges Found Not Proved.
Text of the Opinion
Is Given.

Policeman Orville Staples was found
guilty by the police trial board on
charges Of conduct prejudicial TO the
good order and discipline Of the Police
Department and ordered removed from
the force. according to the verdict sub
raittec 70 the District Commissioners
today by Assistant Corporation Counsel
William H. wshly, chairman Of the
board.
The board found Staples guilty on
. or the Is specifications included in
the charges The other were dis
missed.
STAPLES trial ended Thursday after
10 days of hectic battling. in which
Representative Blanton of Texas acted
Is self-styled friend of the court and
defender of Staples.
Findings Submitted.
The Commissioners made public the
findings Of the trial board following an
executive conference which lasted more
than an hour They made no comment
at the time, but IL was understood that
q statement would be issued later.
Chairman wahly submitted the find-
inEs Of the trial board TO Commissioner
Dougherty in q sealed envelope shortly
after 10 O'Clock this morning. Later he
notified Commissioners Taliaferro and
Ladue that the trial boards report had
been received and they convened iune-
diately into q special meeting.
Maj Edwin B. HeSse. superintendent
OF police, was called into the confer
aence. but left prior to the announce
nent BY the Commissioners OF the trial
boards verdict.
Policeman Staples and the complain
ing witnesses In his case have been
notified Of the verdict.
An appeal from the trial boards de-
cision Is expected to be made by Rep
resentative Blanton. Blanton previously
served notice that If Staples was found
guilty On any OF the charges he would
ask for a re0pening of the case before
the District Commissioners.
Gist Of Verdict.
The report 10 the Commissioners OF
the trial boards findings read in part
as follows:
Charge conduct prejudicial to the
reputation. good order and discipline of
the police force In violation Of para
graph S. section p, chapter II OF the
manual
Finding guilty III the charge. and Of
Specifications 3, 4. 5, 8. 2, 8. ., 10 and
IL excepting from said specification
"a. the words and on divers other
dates and times between the said 18th
day Of February, 1927, and the 26th day
Of March, 1927 and the words the
said Johnnie Green and substituting
for the word sums wherever appear
ing therein. the words "a sum IN lieu
thereof specifications !, 2, IL and
Is dismissed.
'sentence-To be removed from the
force.
The trial boards verdict was signed
by Chairman Wahly. Capts. c. P. M.
Lord and Guy Burlingame.
Charges Declared Proved.
The specifications on which Staples
Ees found guilty follow:
g. That on the twenfy-second day
OF June, 1927, Staples. without tust-
~flczslon. cause or excuse, entered the
premises apartment six, ais Pennsyl-
yaraia avenue, and while therein, pulled
the cover from bed occupied by Viz
Rinia Eberhart.
4. That On the twenty day
Of June, 1927, Staples, without susri-
ncatton, cause or excuse and against the
protest and objections Of the occupants
avenue, was guilty Of unbecomfng con-
duct in the apartment occupied by Viz
gsnsa Eberhart, and tntimidated Louise
r. Hanley. an occupant.
5. That on February %. 1928,
Staples entered Apartment l0l al 2222
n street without justification. cause or
excuse, and did. while therein, make
indecent proposals 70 Marie Waters.
s. That on February %. 1928.
Etzples assaulted Marie Waters In
Apartment IOi. 2222 n street.
Z. That on February %, 1928,
Staples intin,;dated Marie Waters by
exhibiting to her an envelope contain
ing q piece Of paper the character and
nature Of which the policeman re-
fused 70 disclose but which he informed
the woman ''she would find out about
soon enough"
Verdict In Bribe Charge.
Eigat~-That on February "a, 1923.
Staples made improper proposals TO
Marie Waters and threatened 70 arrest
her il Sfle cid not comply
ktk1c-~T That on March 30. 1927,
Staples received from a certain man
sic. which was paid 70 him With the
understanding and agreement that IN
consideration thereof the policeman
would refrain from sFFesting the man
or erdeayoring TO enforce the national
prohibition i2w against him and that
Staples then well knew him 70 be en-
gagged in the illegal transportation and
Bate ~ intoxicating liquors,
10 That On April rs. 1927. and on
tcontinaed on Page q Column Sd