Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-08
RICHIE ORDERS
PROBE Of SHOOTING
DepIores Searching of Capital
Youth by Berwyn
Constable.

Having yesterday issued . formal
statement deploring the manner in
which william r. Acker, 23-year-old
law student of 1917 Van Buren, street,
claims to have been stopped and search
ed by a plain-clothed constable, Gov.
Albert c. Ritchie will tomorrow confer
with the young man to obtain his YER
sion Of the occurrence. Acker revealed
this morning that he had an appoint
ment with the governor. His father has
already written the executive.
In his statement yesterday calling
upon State police to make an tnvestiga-
| ton, Gov. Richie declares that shooting
at motorists and searching them at the
point of gun would not be tolerated In
MARYLAND II he could prevent 1t.
"Such occurrences are not frequent in
Maryland, am glad to say" the state
ment read, land I shall ask Col. Baugn-
man to have the State police make an
investigation Of the incident.
st regret that such thing should oc-
cur at all. and want to get q thor
ough and impartial report OF the cir
cumstances surrounding the case. AL
though no formal complaint has been
made to me, 1t is q matter OF public
knowledge now and think that an In
vestigation should be made. II 1t Is
found that the constable is at fault, !
probably will take the matter up with
the town authorities Of Berwyn or the
county commissioner, or whoever ap.
pointed the constable, so that such prac.
tice may be discouraged in the future. !"
Apparently Gov. Richie ordered the
investigation before the letter written
by Samuel N. Acker, father OF the young
man, reached his office.
Acker expected to appear before the
county commissioner OF Prince Georges
at its weekly meeting today, and County
Commissioner Duvall said he would pre-
sent the constables aspect Of the case
| to the board.
Acker's complaint is that, while re.
turning from the social visit near Laurel
Friday night two men IN plain clothes
drove along side him, exhibited pistol
and ordered him to stop. Thinking ne
was being robbed he put on speed ana
chase ensued, the law student finally
stopped when the pistol was discharged.
He then complains that he was searcneo'
but finally permitted to proceed.
Making a note Of the tag number OF
the car, Acker found it belonged to
Constable Walter F. Good, who readily
admitted having discharged his pistol,
explaining that he had mistaken
.Goods~ car for one of similar make
and model, which he had seen drive
away from the scene of an overturned
liquor car few minutes before. Goods
account of the search, however, differs
In several details from that given by
Acker.
In discussing the matter with news
paper men Good declared Saturday
STen Acker If he isn't satisfied with
the deal he got to come out In Prince
Georges County and I will arrest him
on at least three charges"
Acker says he was out to Laurel again
Sunday and wants to know why the
constable did not make good his threat.
Commissioner william A. Duvall said
he had made an investigation Of the
matter and found Good was sent to
the scene of the overturned liquor car
by Justice Of Peace George Phillips.
The commissioner said he would raise
the question whether or not Phillips had
right to send constable on q case
Of that kind. Good was accompanied
by Linwood Willie, son-in-law of the
justice of peace. The driver Of the
liquor car was apprehended by State
police before the constable arrived.
.Acker appeared at the courthouse in
Upper Marlboro, Md, this morning to
lay his case before the county commits
sionerS. He was promised q hearing
this afternoon.
Meantime Acker was advised that
the commissioners could not take any
definite steps in the matter and 1t was
suggested that he prefer charges before
the grand jury, which Is now in session.