Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-14
Bank Messenger, II, Ar
raigned After ConfesSing
His Action.
MOTHER SAYS HUSBAND
HAD THREATENED LIFE
Youth Declared to Have Seen
Parent Abused often on
Previous Occasions.

Harry Vincent Hazel, 17-year-old
bank messenger, who started to work
at the age of II to help support his
mother, will be arraigned in Police
Court on February 81 for shooting his
stepfather.
Periodical quarrels which the youth
had with his stepfather, Harvey Spencer
Lowe, 81 years old, in their apartment
at the Rocksboro, 1717 R street, were
climaxed last night when the boy said
he returned from work to find Lowe
bending over the PROSTATE form of his
mother. His mother, Mrs. Leatha Marie
Hazel Lowe said today that her husband
had threatened to finish her" after he
attacked her during dispute. Selling
her about the throat, he attempted to
strangle her when interrupted by the
arrival of Harry, she declared.
Harry ran to the kitchen and seized
a gun owned by his mother, which was
kept in a trunk and without word
shot his step-father through the Shout
der.
Third precinct Policeman Earl NC
Male heard the shot and rushed into the
APARTMENT to find Lowe clutching his
shoulder and Harry still standing with
the gun in his hand. he said. The boy
handed the gun to the policeman. Lowe
was rushed to Emergency Hospital,
where his condition today was reported
as not serious. Mrs. Lowe was a visitor
to his bedside today.
Harry was taken to the first precinct
and released this morning under $1,000
bond.
Trouble Aired Before.
The domestic difhculties OF the Lowe
family have reached Police Court be-
sore. Two weeks ago Mrs. Lowe sought
the advice of Assistant District Attor-
ney John r. Fitzpatrick. Her hus-
band continually ill-treated her, she
told the prosecutor, but she wished to
take no criminal action against him.
Guns have played a major part in
my life" Mrs Lowe declared. When
previously married and living in Mary
land / started home with my little
girl. now years old. but in a sudden
thunderstorm I sought refuge in a
road house.
Several men were there, including
Lowe. In a dispute that followed Lowe
was shot three time and to prevent him
from dying took him in my car to the
hospital. That is how I met him.
MY first husband later committed
suicide and 1 married Lowe. Since
then he has repaid me for saving his
life by being brutal to me. Harry shot
To save me and I will do all can to
help him. Before this he has been
forced to stand by and see his step
father beat me, unable to prevent him,
but this time he took the matter into
his own hands"
The gun with which Harry is said to
have shot Lowe was purchased by Mrs.
Lowe after difficulties with her nus
band. she said. Lowe, she charged, de-
serted her and her small child, an 18-
month-old boy, and as she had other
children who were separated from her.
she did not wish the home dissolved.
"I was going to get divorce" she
said but finally persuaded Lowe to
come home and try to keep our home
together. This is what happened"
Youth Silent Today.
The youth, although he confessed to
police last night that he shot his step
father, refused to discuss the affair to-
day. He told police that he came home
and found his stepfather attacking his
mother and shot him.
The mother is said to have told 10
lice when they came to the apartment
that she shot her husband. The attempt
to protect her son failed, however, as
the boy admitted that he fired the shot
Lowe declared it was an accident, police
say.
Harry supported his mother at times.
police say. The youth has recently been
employed in the Morris Plan Bank.
Lowe is an employe of the District
Grocery Stores, Inc.
After hearing the mothers story from
Headquarters Detective Sergt. William
Debuskey today, Prosecutor Fitzpatrick
recommended bond of 5000 because of
the mitigating circumstances. Judge
Mcmahon refused to accept the recon-
mendstion and informed Attorney F. J.
Donahue, the boys attorney, that the
higher bond would be necessary. A pro-
fessional bondsman secured the youths
release.