Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-10
FIND LIGHT WAS ON
IN ROOM OF NURSE
New Evidence Contradicts
Earlier Account of Darkness
in Mcpherson Apartment.
Continued From First Page.)


sioners showed that the decision to de-
lay the investigation was Influenced not
alone by the refusal of the grand jurors
to testify before the two-man board of
inquiry, but also on the belief that 1t
Is possible the proceedings in the Nc
Pherson case might In some manner be
improperly affected.
Suspension of the investigation was
ordered after the investigating board,
composed of Corporation Counsel Will
liam w. Bride and Maj. Donald A.
Dawson, Assistant Engineer Commits
sioner, submitted a formal report to
the Commissioners pointing out that
an impasse had been reached.
The report also disclosed that Bride
and Dawson held opposite views as to
the disposition of the NATURALIZATION
favoring postponement until the con-
Bride taking the position that the
probe should continue fully and frankly
on the ground that the taking of teSti-
mony, not to be made public until a
final report is released, could in no
wise affect the Department of Justice
investigation of the mysterious death
of Mrs. Virginia Mcpherson. or the
trial of her indicted husband.
The statement of the commissioners
made public Immediately after the order
was issued to suspend the inquiry.
Commissioners Statement.
The statement of the Commissioners
ION September 30, 1929, the grand
Jury of the District of Columbia made
report to the court severely criticizing
Assistant Supt. Shelby and Lieut.. Kelly
of the Police Department, and recon-
mended that they be relieved of all
duties in connection with the Detective
Bureau until their activities in the Nc
Pherson case had been investigated by
the proper tribunal to determine what,
II any, disciplinary action should be
taken.
ION october Inspector Shelby and
Lieut.. Kelly were relieved from duty
with the Detective Bureau and were
assigned to other duty. On the same
date a special board was appointed by
the Commissioners to investigate the
charges made In the report Of the
grand jury.
THE special board so appointed has
this day been called upon for q report
of progress and has submitted a report
to the Commissioners.
U. S. Investigating Case.
Eat this time there is in progress An
intensive investigation by the Depart
ment of Justice of the Mcpherson death
case and the husband of the deceased
has been indicted for murder.
1T is the definite purpose of the
Commissioners to thoroughly sift the
charges which have been made against
members of the Police Department, but
in view of the inability at this time to
obtain detailed information from a
large number Of the grand jurors, and
because the Commissioners feel that 1t
is possible that the proceedings in the
Mcpherson case might be in some man.
ner improperly affected, the Commits
sioners have this day instructed the
special board, composed Of Corporation
Counsel Bride and First Assistant Eli
gineer Commissioner Dawson, to sus-
pend their investigation and preserve
their records for future use.
Every man Is presumed to be inno-
cent of charges against him until they
have been formally established in q
proper tribunal The action of the
Commissioners Is not TO be construed
as ah expression of opinion In respect
10 the Mcpherson death case or as to
any members Of the Police Depart
ment."
Special Boards Report.
Following is the text Of the investi-
eating boards report to the Commits
| sioners:
THE Commissioners have asked for
| a report as to the present progress OF
its special board.
Under date of September 80, 1929,
| the then grand jury passed series OF
resolutions, the principal resolve being
| as follows:
"'That the grand jury requests this
honorable court to transmit to the
| major and superintendent of police and
to the Commissioners Of the District
of Columbia its recommendations that
| Inspector Shelby and Lieut.. Kelly be
relieved of all duties In connection with
the Detective Bureau until their activi-
ties in this case have been Investigated
by the proper tribunal to determine
what, II any, disciplinary action should
be taken',
The Board of Commissioners re-
ceived a copy Of the full resolution I'M
der date of October and promptly
relieved Inspector Shelby and Lieut..
Kelly of all duties in connection with
the Detective Bureau as suggested by
| the grand jury, and on the same day
set up a special board consisting of the
corporation counsel and Assistant
Engineer Commissioner Dawson as a
tribunal to determine what, II any,
disciplinary action should be taken and
to report to the Commissioners. Your
special board met pursuant to this au-
thority and conferred with the Com
miSsioners, at which time it was assured
| by the Board of Commissioners that it
should have carte blanche to investi-
gate TO the fullest extent the facts, CIR
cumstances and conclusions set out In
the resolutions aforesaid, and that II
the study indicated that further in
quiries should be made, the board should