Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-07
KELLY AND SHELBY
TO RESUME POSTS
HELD BEFORE QUIZ
Inspector to Take Command
of Detective Bureau on
55th Birthday.
PRATT ALREADY ISSUED
ORDER FOR RESTORATION
Result of Trial Sweeping Exonera-
tion of Officers Accused
by Grand Jury.

Acquitted on charges of having bun.
gled the police investigation of the
death of Mrs. Virginia Mcpherson, In.
spector William S. Shelby and Lieut.
Edward j. Kelly will return to theil
former posts in the Detective Bureau
tomorrow-Shelby as the director Of
the bureau and Kelly as head of the
homicide squad.
An order restoring Shelby and Kelly
to the assignments from which they
were temporarily transferred October
following the condemnation of the Po-
lice Department by the July grand jury
was issued today by Maj. Henry c.
Pratt, superintendent of police, when
officially advised of the action of the
special trial board in completely vindi-
eating the two officers.
The order will become effective at 8
o'clock tomorrow morning. Maj. Pratt
was ready to put it into effect imme-
diateIy, but when told that tomorrow is
Shelby's 55th birthday, he purposely de-
layed his restoration as chief of de-
tectives so it would come in the form
of birthday gift. Kelly. who was ac-
cused with his chief and tried jointly
with him, wanted to return to the de-
tective bureau at the same time, and his
restoration likewise was postponed.
Sweeping Exoneration.
The findings of the trial board which
sifted the charges that Shelby and
Kelly made an unbusineSslike investiga-
ton of the Mcpherson case constituted
sweeping exoneration. The board
found the officers not guilty on all
charges and the series of specifications
and went step farther by commencing
Kelly "for the efficient manner in
which he handled the Mcpherson case" "
Shelby, however, was mildly criticized
for his conduct before the grand jury
In suggesting the indictment for per-
Jury of former Policeman Robert j.
Allen and Mrs Roy Heavrin of the
Park Lane Apartments, although the
board said his action was more or less
justified"
The board reached its findings at
HIS o'clock last night, more than six
hours after the close of the trial, and
submitted them to the Commissioners
this morning in the form Of report.
Confirmation by the Commissioners Is
matter of routine, since all OF them are
represented as being pleased with the
outcome of the case. In fact. Commits
sioner Dougherty told Maj. Pratt that
developments in the trial convinced
him some time ago that Shelby and
Kelly were not guilty.
Officers Congratulated.
Both Shelby and Kelly received many
CONGRATULATIONS today from inside and
ArnnnO
the first to greet them was Corporation
Counsel William w. Bride, whose office
conducted their prosecution.
Naturally I am gratifled with the
result of the public hearing, which was
held pursuant to the demands on the
part of Lieut.. Kelly and myself" said
Inspector Shelby in response to in
quiries from newspaper reporters.
1--WE felt sure of complete vindica-
ton but we were anxious that the true
facts might be developed. I cannot
too strongly express my appreciation OF
the sympathy and loyalty to the host
Of friends and acquaintance who re-
peatedly expressed confidence in my
integrity, and 1 wish thus publicly to
pay tribute to them as well as my at
torneys, Henry /. Quinn and George
E. Strong, for their answering devo-
ton, their wise counsel and friendly as
ISOLATION.
ITO my friends and well wishers and
to those who cannot by the most fan
tastic process of reasoning be placed
in either category, say. Gods in His
heaven, alls right with the World"
Kelly also was jubilant over his vindi-
cation. Naturally, felt that when all
the true facts and evidence were pre-
sented to an impartial board or body
Continued on Page S, Column 3D.