Evening star., 1928-04-07
Order to Be Asked Before
Justice of District of CO.
iufnbia Supreme Court.
EVIDENCE NOW AVAILABLE
IS TERMED INSUFFICIENT
Disinterment Probably Will Take
Place Early Next Week-Autopsy
Verdict Is Approved.

An order to exhume the body Of Miss
Eleanor Lehman in preparation of evi-
dence to be placed before the grand
jury against Louis W. Hoffman, physio-
therapist, viii be sought by United
States Attorney Leo A. Rover. it was
announced today The order will be
sought before one Of the justices Of the
District Supreme Court.
Miss Lehman died suddenly on
treatment table in Hodman's office IN
the Victor Building March 3. YesteT-
day Hoffman'S bOndSmen were ordered
to surrender him when Mrs. Dolores
Monroe. brought back from Paterson,
N. j.. told the United States attorney
that Hoffman had broken Miss Leh-
mans neck when she was seized sud-
denly with commissions while he was
preparing for an Illegal operation
After a conference today with Mr.
Rover. Miss Pearl Mccall. assistant
United States attorney, announced that
early next week
Evidence insufficient.
Mr. Rover and Miss Mccall came to
the conclusion that the evidence avail
able at this time regarding the exact
condition of Miss Lehman's body was
not sufficient TO permit an adequate
presentation Of the case 70 the grand
jury.
DR.. A. NJ. Macdonald, deputy coroner.
performed an autopsy on the body Of
Miss Lehman and reported 70 the
coroner's jury at the inquest that death
had resulted from a broken neck. II Is
understood that DR.. Macdonald also
nfvfA Haf Ia
in a delicate condition at the time Of
her death and that he so reported TO
the United States attorneys Office.
This was not reported to the coroner's
jury.
According 10 a statement by Mr..
Rover, the United States attorneys
ONCE was satisfied with the action Of
DR.. Macdonald and has no criticism
to offer Of him IN connection with the
case.
Charge Of Murder.
Although the district attorneys ofice
viii present evidence to the grand jury
indicating that Hoffman was preparing
to perform an illegal operation upon
Miss Lehman in his ofice, he VIII not
be charged with that. but with mur-
der, as the result Of the discovery that
death was due tc broken meek.
Mrs Dolores Monroe. also known as
Dottie King. who took Miss Lehman
TO Hoffmans ONCE. has told the United
States attorneys Office that Hoffman
deliberately broke Miss Lehman,s neck.
after she had gone into commissions
while he was preparing to perform an
Illegal operation.
Hoffman is in the District Jail. where
he was committed yesterday without
bond after Mrs. Monroe had told her
story. He Is being held 10 await action
Of the grand jury. Mr.. Rover and Miss
Mccall viii go before the grand Jury
early next week and ask for the indict-
ment of Hoffman on q charge Of first
degree murder.
Formal Charge Seen.
Mr. Rover said today that If an at
tempt IS made 70 obtain the release
Of Hoffman by habeas corpus proceed
ingS. he viii place q formal charge Of
murder against HIM.
Mrs. Monroe IS being held ON $500
bond IS material witness in the case.
She left the city after the inquest and
was brought back here from Paterson.
NJ J.. but the United States attorneys
Office believes she ran away merely be-
cause she was frightened. No charge
has been placed against her.
Besides Mrs. Moproe and DR. Mac
Donald. il is expected that Campbell
Howard. an attorney. win be one Of the
witnesses summoned before the grand
jury next week. Howard testified at
the inquest and said he was present 8
few minutes In HofTman'S ONCE while
Miss Lehman was having commissions
He was not there. however. at the time
Holman is charged with having hrokesi
the girls neck.
Probes Report Of Party.
Miss Mccall said today that she was
making inquiries regarding party ~
which intoxicantS were said 20 have
been served 10 Miss Lehman.
Mr.. Rover explained that the exact
condition Of Miss LehmanS body was
known to the district attorneys once.
having been reported by Or. Macdonald
after the autopsy. and il was for that
reason that vigorous and successful ef-
forts were made to bring Mrs, Monrce
back from New Jersey.
Mrs, Monroe was taken 60 the jal
yesterday afternoon and confTonted
Hoffman, who refused to make any
statement
mi re NETT tn nDNTECT