Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-01
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An Other States and Canada.
The Mcpherson Case.

AG x4OG 1CA oOA SooCs
The full measure of praise for Police
man Robert ]. Allen and of condemns
ton for the Detective Bureau for the
parts they have played in the McPher-
son case must necessarily be reserved
until the trial court has heard the evil
dence. Likewise, it is to be remembered
that Robert A. Mcpherson, jr., indicted
by the grand jury and held in jail on
a charge of first degree murder, is pre-
sumed to be innocent.
In the meantime. there are these
points to be considered:
The United States district attorney
should ask that a special prosecutor be
assigned to his Office and that in his
hands be placed all the evidence that
will be used by the State in its efforts
to convict young Mcpherson.
Policeman Allen Should be restored
to duty and given full police authority
to work with the Office Of the United
States attorney. The charges against
him, consisting in violating police regu-
lations requiring him to report certain
matters to his superior officer, should
be held in allegiance.
Inspector Shelby and Lieut.. Edward
J. Kelly should be suspended imme-
diately and their official connections
with the Mcpherson case severed, ex-
cept in so far as they will be called as
witnesses at the forthcoming trial.
The United States attorney should
use every means in his power to bring
the case to early trial.
In support of it's first suggestion, The
Star believes that the previous connec-
ton of his Office with the case makes
1t mandatory upon the part Of the
United States attorney to remove all
doubts that will arise in the minds OF
the public concerning the prejudice
that may exist on the part of regu-
larry assigned public prosecutor. An as
sistant United States attorney was pres
ent at the inquest, which so hastily
reached its verdict Of suicide. Another
assistant United States attorney heard
Policeman Aliens charges and dropped
them and has been publicly criticized
for his conduct of the case. In way,
the United States attorneys Office will
60 on trial along with Mcpherson,
Allen and the Police Department. The
"state" should be represented in this
trial by prosecutor who has had no
previous connection with the case;
who has nothing to lose by winning q
victory, and whose sole aim is to bring
to justice those guilty Of committing q
crime.
AS regards the second point, Police
man Aliens irregular actions, his fall
ure to obey police regulations and his
open and expressed hostility and sus-
picion toward the Detective Bureau be-
come relatively insignificant. For he has
convinced a grand jury that he was
right. Red tape should be strapped.
He should be given all the latitude that
lies in the exercise Of his police duties
and should be formally assigned to the
public prosecutor to help prepare the
States case.
Inspector Shelby and Lieut.. Kelly
have been publicly reprimanded by the
grand jury report. Their services. for
the time being. are without value. If
subsequent events uphold their former
actions, it will be time enough to dis
cuss the proper tribunal that may in
vestisata their official conduct. and
upon the basis of that investigation re-
store them to duty or retire them from
the force.
United States Attorney Rover has al
ready promised to bring Mcpherson to
trial quickly. The sooner the better.
vfaaa Fall tarI,n of court cnnVeneS today.