Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-22
Realty Man Also Tells InveS-
tigators Fatal Weapon
Never Left His Possession
Despite Earlier Story.
BkRRERE WILL BE FREED
AS SUSPECT IN MYSTERY
Formal Charge Made in Warrant
Issued During Night-New Pris-
oner Declares He Is Not Wor-
ried Over Developments Involv-
ing Himself.


presence near the murder scene
established by his own admission,
Herbert M. Campbell, we'll known
Arlington County real estate OPP
orator and self -confessed owner
of the revolver used by the muir
derer of Mary Baker, today stands
charged with the brutal Staying
of the Navy Department clerk.
BY his statements to newspaper
men Commemorative Attorney
William c. Cloth seemed satisfied
that he was on the right trail at
last as Campbell walked slowly
from the prosecutors office to the
same Jail in which was confined
Hermann H. Barrere, World War
veteran and painter, Campbell had
accused of the atrocity.
"Barrere will be freed of the
murder charge at once, but will
be held as material State wit
ness, GIOCn announced.
The sensational overnight develop
mentS whereby accused and accuser
exchanged roles in Washington's most
famous murder mystery followed the
rapid collapse of CampbelfS alibi un-
der gruelling inquisition conducted
until 2:30 o'clock this morning by Cloth
and Lieut.. Edward j. Kelly, head of
the Washington homicide squad.
Says First Story False.
After confessing that his fantastic
tale Of "a man with a wart on his
nose" and of the strange discovery of
his stolen" gun in his real estate Of
fee at Oak Crest were "all lies" con-
cocted to give himself "thrilr' and
the authorities some excitement" the
realty agent and miniature golf course
owner turned to his interrogators and,
according to the latter said quietly:
We'll, gentlemen, can't tell you
any more.
Everything I've told you tonight was
the truth, and you've got enough now
to go through with it and indict and
convict me.
But did not kill Mary Baker"
During the quIzzing early this morn
ing Cloth told Campbell that the lat
ter'S telephone wires had been tapped
for some time.
IF you are innocent of this crime"
the prosecutor asked. why did you
telephone this woman companion on
that automobile ride half dozen times
and tell her to keep her mouth shut
about that ride, and If anybody asked
her about being in your automobile 20
tell them you were showing her some
real estate?"
Il only phoned her once, Mr.. Cloth"
was Campbell's only reply.
After the prisoner had been shown
warrant sworn out before Magistrate
Hugh McCaffery charging him with
the Staying, Campbell was brought out
of the prosecuting Office and taken be-
tween guards 10 the nearby jail AS
the prisoner was met by large group
of newspaper men and photographers,
with whom he had been on friendly
terms earlier in the day, Campbell
waved a greeting and said:
Boys. here goes the latest suspect
in the Mary Baker murder case"
The mans voice was tinged with
irony as he made the statement.
Not Worried, He Says.
Are you worried? one Of his news
paper acquaintance inquired.
Not a bit" Campbell responded
In announcing Campbell's arrest
under the warrant, Cloth stated:
Part of his alibi has gone. He admits
the man with wart on his nose never
existed He says he wanted merely
TO give himself a thrill and to give In
Spector Shelby, Lieut. Kelly and myself
some excitement.
HE saws he was led TO believe by
newspaper men that he was key man
in the case and therefore decided tc
bring the gun up to Sheriff Fields anc
tell his fantastic story
Campbell admits the murder gun wa
never out of his possession. yet he in
sists he did not murder Mary Baker
He says he cannot explain now TINS II
poSsiDie.
Admits Moving Gun.
HE says that he himself changed
the gun from its location In his house
at Oak Crest to q desk drawer in nj
office. He says he took 1t TO the once
on May IL on which date he was X
meet Hermann Barrere, HERMANN
brother Leon and Barrere's wife. HI
says he thought he might need thu
gun for protection.
He denies he ever knew Mary Baker
and that he killed her"
Realizing that Lieut.. Kelly Cloth anC
other Investigators had checked upor
and disproved his original story. of hi
movements on the evening Mary Bake
was cruelty assaulted and shot last Apri
IL. Campbell blurted out early today:
I'm sorry that l lied TO you tina
way. I didn't want TO get mixed up il
this on account of my wife. Now II
tell you the truth
Tine truth" as Campbell then re
peafed IL, included admission that h
had parked with a woman companion
not Mary Baker. nsar the culvert out
side the Sheridan gate of Arlington
Cemetery sbNut O'Clock in the sfter