Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-05
MCPHERSON ENTERS
NOT GUILTY PLEA
Attorneys Reach Agreement
Not to Press for
Early Trial.
CONTINUED From First Paee.)

in progress and because it seems un-
without pay and without an opportun-
ity for trial.
Signed.
p. L. DOUGHERTY, Commissioner"
Written Statement Issued.
In making known their decision tc
restore Allen to duty, the Commission.
ers issued the following written state
ment:
ION October 2 O letter was sent te
District Attorney Rover, stating thai
the Commissioners were anxious to IA.
cilitate in every possible way the
handling of the Mcpherson case ant
inquiring whether he would like to have
Policeman Robert j. Allen reinstatec
and assigned to duty In the Mcpherson
| torney Rover.
subsequently, at the request Of Dis.
| trict Attorney Rover, the MCPHERSON
Of Justice for further investigation, and
Attorney John e. Laskey appointed 8
special assistant to the Attorney Gen.
eral to handle the case.
"A similar tender of reinstatement
and of the services Of Policeman Allen
has been made to Mr.. Laskey and he
has declined.
Because it is deemed unwise, pend
ing investigations in progress, to try
Allen at this time, and because It seems
unreasonable to keep him suspended
without pay and without an opportu-
nifty for trial. the Commissioners have
reinstated him for regular duty.
This action Is not to be considered
as an expression of opinion by the
Commissioners as to any development
in the Mcpherson death case, or TO the
conduct of Policeman Allen out OF
which pending charges arose."
The Police Department was informed
today that the Department of Justice
did not require Aliens assistance Is
an investigator in conducting its m
quiry into the Mcpherson case. Allen
already has turned his evidence over to
the department., 1t was said.
Leahy Several Minutes Late.
Attorney Leahy was several minutes
late arriving in court, and Judge Cor
don accordingly proceeded with the
hearing Of two other cases while the
attorneys arrival was awaited. When
Judge Gordon came into the courtroom
at 10 o'clock all seats in the room were
occupied and O number Of deputy mar
shals stood In the aisles to preserve
order.
Three or four prisoners were brought
before the bench prior to the entry OF
Mcpherson. The latter, minus his
handouts. came in from Q side door
prisoners row" in front Of the bench
before any in the room were aware
Of his arrival. The young man was
dressed in a dark blue serge suit, with
soft shirt collar, gray four-in-hand tie
and black shoes. AS he walked toward
his chair he cast his eyes about the
room, evidently In search Of his parents
and when his eyes spotted them, he
smiled . greeting. which was returned
eagerly.
The prisoner also noticed several
newspaper men with whom he had be-
come acquainted during the grand Jury
investigation which resulted IN ms IN N.
dictment and the perpetual smile on
his face widened in acknowledgment
At no time during the arraignment
proceedings did the husband OF the
garroted nurse display any signs Of
nervousness or discomforture.
Judge Gordon, on taking his seat, In
ouired Of Mr.. Laskey, who sat at the
counsel table, If he had seen anything
Of Mr.. Leahy." Mr.. Laskey replied thai
ne mao not, 0ut nc was SURE tAAS AoWySs
would be on hand shortly.
Judge Gordon then proceeded to heal
| the case Of q colored man who pleaoet
guilty to lighting" and was sentenced
to three years in the penitentiary
Several other cases were disposed o
before Mr.. Leahy came into court.
Leahy at once walked over to wher'
the Government prosecutor was sitting
| and the latter arose while the tw'
shook hands and then whispered be
tween themselves for several moments
Ieahy formerly was an assistant dis
trict attorney under Laskey when tn
latter was United States attorney TO
the District Of Columbia.
Clerk Reads Indictment.
i When the case then being heard wa
| completed the two attorneys faced tn
| court and indicated their readiness Il
90 ahead with the Mcpherson case
/ Judge Gordon nodded assent and Leah!
went over to Mcpherson, shook hi
hand and ushered him before the bal
Of Justice.
As Mcpherson stood motionless, will
eyes fixed straight ahead, Williams 9
| Adkins, clerk Of the court, began read
| ing the murder indictment returned
September 80 by O grand jury which
| had conducted q lengthy investigation
of the strange death Of Virginia Nc
Pherson.
In a low monotone the clerk rea'
the charges that young MCPHERSON, ID
| narfrfx,fyier and intending tn XII on