Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-18
DRY AGENTS DEATH
IS HELD ACCIDENT
Defendant, However, Is Re-
arrested on Assault Charge
in Mount Rainier.

special DlSpatcn TO Tne star.
MOUNT RAINIER, Md, May 1s.-
Released by a Prince Georges County
coroner's jury following an inquest into
the accident at Berwyn Tuesday in
which Prohibition Agent Dano M. jack
ley was killed, Edward Martin. colored,
"a, was last night Immediately taken
into custody by United States marshal
and removed to Baltimore, where he is
today scheduled to be arraigned before
United States Commissioner Supplee on
charges of assault and interfering with
. an officer in connection with the same
accident.
Inability of the Government witnesses
to identify Martin as the driver of the
car which was being pursued when
Jackley was killed, coupled with admis-
sionS on the part of the revenue agents
that they bumped" rum runners
machine several times while travelling
at a speed of about IS miles an hour
on slippery road, led the jury to re-
+. turn verdict of unavoidable acct
dent occurring during chase of an
automobile whose driver was unknown.
Hearing without Disorders.
The dramatic nature of the case,
coupled with publication of the fact
that Justice of Peace Robert Joyce, who
presided. had received an anonymous
letter warning him mot to have any,
thing to say" served to attract crowd
that taxed the capacity of the town
hall. but there was no evidence OF any
disorder.
Joyce himself came to the inquest
armed, even though he announced he
expected no trouble, and the spectators
included Sheriff Charles S. Early, Dep
uty Sheriff A. w. Hepburn, Prince
Georges County Policemen v. M.
Nichols and Harry Robinson. most of
the local town officers and numerous
prohibition agents.
The trial was marked by an unusual
amount of questioning of the witnesses
by the members of the coroner's jury,
the manner in which the interrogations
were put clearly indicating a pre-
ponderance of sentiment for acquittal.
The inquisitive jurors included Henry
Cleveland, Eugene Plummer, Floyd
Mutchler and w. w. James. The jury
returned its verdict after little more
than an hours elaboration. calling IN
States Attorney j. Frank Parran, Gov
eminent prosecutor, and Bertrand
Emerson, jr, defense attorney, for ad-
vice before reaching decision.
Account of Accident.
A complete and detailed account OF
the tragedy was given by William r.
Blanford, acting deputy prohibition adj
n1inistrator of the seventh district
which includes Washington and several
nearby Maryland counties. Following
the spin" caused, Blanford and the
other occupants of the prohibition car
said. by their right wheel being struck
by the rear of the pursued car, the
police machine crashed into heavy
hedge fence and Jackley was thrown
half way out of his seat, the deputy
administrator related.
DR.. Harry Nalley testified the man
died probably from injuries received by
being thrown heavily against some OBJ
ject in the car during the spin.
The other men in the police car, |
Revenue Agents Charles r. Mccartney |
and L. w. York, gave essentially the |
same account of the occurrence as |
Blanford, excepting that York declared |
they bumped" rum runner accident
ly while the others said it was purpose
full. Members of the jury made Nc
Cartney, driver of the machine, repeat |
several timer his claim that he retained |
perfect control of the car after humping |
the other car while going over go miles |
an hour.
Dynamite in Car.
Upon cross-examination by the de- |
tense attorney Blanford admitted the |
police car carried dynamite, but declared |
the accident demonstrated conclusively |
that dynamite would not explode as a |
result of collision. No explanation !
was advanced as to why the dynamite |
was carried.
D. C. Coon. employee Of a gasoline
filling station near the scene of the ac-
cident, gave his version of the occur
renee. George Howard, W.. A. Ogle and
Walter Green, were also sworn as wit
nesses, but when it was found they did
not see the accident, they were excused
No hearing on a warrant charging
manslaughter against Martin was con-
Quoted when the jury returned its YER
dict of exoneration. AS United States
Marshal Ernest Alderman of Baltimore
took the defendant into custody after
the inquest. Attorney Emerson publicly
instructed his client not to make any
statement to police.