Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-31

sarily with the trial of Shelby and
Kelly.
Five additional character witnesses
were heard before the noon recess. They
were Police Capt. c. L. PlemmonS,
E. H. Van FosSan of the Federal Board
OF Tax Appeals. William L. Huston,
| lawyer; former Chief of Police Edwin B.
Hesse and Ringgold Hart. formerly
principal assistant 10 the corporation
counsel.
All five witnesses testified as to the
| good character and excellent ability of
Shelby and Kelly. Hart however, an
swering a hypothetical question, said
he thought the alibi of the husband in
the Mcpherson case should have been
checked by the police before he was re-
leased from custody Van Fossan told
the board that it is characteristic of
Inspector Shelby to raise his clenched
hand and strike the table even in a
friendly conversation.
Mccoy First Witness.
Former Chief Justice Walter I. Nc
Coy, the first character witness, said
the Supreme Court judges had frequent
ly discussed Lieut.. Kelly and that all of
them admired him as a man and for his
ability and fairness. He told of defend
of the manner in which Kelly had treat
ed them, although complaining of third
degree methods by other policemen. So
far as he could tell, he said, Lieut.. Kelly
always told the truth when on the wit
ness stand in his court. He described
Kelly as a highly competent police Of
flcer, gifted with the best of Judgment.
Julius Garflnckel, prominent Wash
ington merchant, who said he has known
Kelly for Is years, praised his honesty
and veracity as being of the very best.
1--WE always felt safe and glad when
Lieut.. Kelly was assigned to investigate
a crime in our store because We had
utmost confidence in him." he said. Mr..
Garfinckel said he served for six months
on a grand jury before which Kelly APP
peared frequently and made the most
favorable impression on the grand jury.
Inspector E. w. Brown, who is acting
superintendent of police in the absence
Of Maj. Henry G. Pratt. described Lieut..
Kelly as one of the most efficient in
vestigators in the Police Department.
He expressed the utmost confidence in
his integrity and veracity and said he
had often called upon the lieutenant for
advice.
Praises Shelby Highly.
Referring to Inspector Shelby, he said
that due to his peculiar fitness and abil-
ity he has held some of the most i'm
portant posts in the Police Department.
His honesty and ability, he said, cannot
be questioned.
Myles McCahill of the United States
Secret Service praised Lieut.. Kelly in
unstinted terms. He cited three specific
cases in which Lieut.. Kelly had worked
with him. and he said that in each in
stance the accused officer displayed rare
judgment and ability. He also spoke
highly of Inspector Shelby's efficiency,
praising him as "a capable and wonder
full man."
The next witness, Inspector T. r.
Bean, was unreserved in his praise of
both Kelly and Shelby.
Capt. o. T. Davis of the second pre-
cinct, who described himself as prac-
teal policeman, said Lieut.. Kelly has
the goods and always delivers" In
homicide cases particularly, he said,
Kelly has always shown excellent judg-
ment.
Asked for his opinion of Inspector
Shelby, Capt. Davis SAID II would not
hesitate for one moment to say that he
is the brainiest man in the Police De-
partment. His ability and veracity are
above question"
CoOmbs Praises Officer.
Wade H. Coombs, superintendent of
licenses, also praised the two officials.
Kelly was described as the peer of
any detective in the United states by
Maj. James r. Lusby, disburslng off,
Ger of the District. He said that Lieut..
Kelly would sacrifice his rank and his
career before failing to tell the truth
concerning any investigation. He al
luded to Inspector Shelby as "a high
class scholar and gentleman"
Other witnesses who praised the two
ll.ns1 L. al .1N n
ert v. Fleming. president of the Riggs
National Bank; Gen. Hugh Matthews,
quartermaster general of the Marine
Corps. and George o. Vass, vice presi-
dent Of the Riggs Bank.
Richard Jervis. in charge of the secret
service at the White House; Frank r.
Jelleff. business man; George N. Everett,
second vice president of Woodward e.
Lothrop; Charles w. Darr, president of
the Washington Chamber of Commerce,
and Capt. Martin Riley, commander of
the sixth police precinct.
On cross examination, Prosecutor
Lynch secured admission from several
of the witnesses who had worked with
Kelly on investigations that they never
saw him take a written statement from
a suspect. He is expected to claim that
this failure is indicative Of negligence on
the lieutenant's part.
Baked by Murphy.
Joseph E. Murphy, assistant chief
Of the secret service, testified that he
regarded Kelly's efficiency and reputa-
ton so highly that he recommended
him as we'll as the late Detective Sergt
Arthur Scrivener for important posi-
lions in Florida during the real estate
boom in that State. He also said he had
absolute confidence in the efficiency
and integrity of Inspector Shelby.
Eugene E. Thompson, an investment
banker who has had experience on the
grand jury, having been a foreman at
one time. told of the impression made
on him by Lieut.. Kelly when he ap-
peared before that body to give tes-