Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-25
Attorney Declares Veteran
Will Be Kept in Jail
as Witness.
ALIBI OF CAMPBELL
is STUDIED CAREFULLY
Ballistics Experts Opinion on Gun
to Be Checked in Baker
Murder Probe.

While authorities of two jurisdictions
sought today to clear up doubtful
points" in the alibi of Herbert M. Camp
bell, Arlington County real estate man,
charged with the murder of Mary
Baker, word came from a former
suspect in the mystery, Herman H.
Barrere of his plans for seeking an i'm
mediate release.
At the same time, Commonwealth
Attorney William C. Cloth made it
clear he intends to hold Barrere in Jail
indefinitely as an important States
witness. A murder charge, under which
the garrulous World War veteran and
painter had been brought from Mon
treal, has been withdrawn.
BaIlistics Opinion to Be Checked.
Cloth, in conference at police head
quarters this afternoon with Inspector
William S. Shelby, and chief of detec-
tives arranged to have a check made
on the opinion of DR.. Wilmer Souder,
Federal ballistics expert, that Camp
bells gun was used by the slayer of
the Baker girl.
1t was understood that representa-
tive of the Detective Bureau, possibly
Inspector Shelby himself, will take to
Chicago the 80 caliber revolver owned
by Campbell and two bullets found in
the girls body for an examination by
Maj. Calvin Goddard, noted authority
on gun Identification.
Barrere today tossed from the window
of his cell in the Arlington County jail
note to The Star, in which he de-
clared he had engaged two attorneys
to look after his interests in connection
with his arrest. Both attorneys later
today denied they had any definite
agreement with the prisoner, however.
Barrere asserted he had retained
Charles Henry Smith of Alexandria
for his release on a writ of habeas
corpus.
Smith said he had talked with Bar
rere Yesterday afternoon at the jail, but
denied that he had taken the prisoners
case and indicated he would not.
The note, signed III. H. Barrere, !"
was scrubbed in pencil. 1t follows, in
part:
II received wire from Bud at Phila-
delphia last evening reading, Bud, do
you know as yet when you will be re-
leased? Are you coming straight to
me? I want you to. Mother objects
to IRE coming to d. C. Mr.. Kinzley
wants you to return to Philadelphia as
soon as you can. Call me as soon as
possible. BUD
Answer Is Quoted.
my answer was Your wire received
last evening about pm. Tell Henley
that will write him as soon as pos
sible. Call Bill Wockley and tell him
the same-of course on his return to
the city. Bud, engaged a lawyer to
file writ of habeas corpus demanding
my release today. Hoping you cared for
my laundry and personal effects. Re-
CARDS to all, Bud"
More firmly convinced than ever"
that Campbel's gun killed Mary Baker,
but mot so certain" the owner of that
gun fired the fatal shots, Cloth today
continued his investigation Of the ac-
cused mans "alibi."
Indicating some dissatisfaction with
his interview yesterday with Thomas A.
King, scoutmaster, of 1349 Harvard
street. who is one of Campbell's princi-
pal defense witnesses. the Arlington
County prosecutor will seek a further
conference with King today.
II want to be sure that King did not
make a mistake as to the day and the
hour that Campbell and King agree the
former brought his StepSon to Boy
Scout meeting at Fourteenth street and
Park road on or about the time of
Mary Bakers murder" Cloth said to-
day.
This case still is one of the greatest
mysteries l ever have worked on" the
Commemorative attorney added.
Detectives Confer.
Cloth and Headquarters Detective
Carlton Talley conferred today with
Inspector Shelby regarding plans for
having a "double-check" made on the
report of DR.. Souder that Campbells re-
volver fired the bullets found in the
partially nude body of the Navy De-
partment clerk.
Campbell, who voluntarily turned the
weapon over to police "for thrill" and
subsequently found himself charged
with Staying the Baker girl, vehemently
denies he is the murderer and insists
that DIR. Souder must have made an
error in his identification.
Il want to have a talk with DR..
Souder myself before we go through
with the proposal to have the gun and
fatal bullets examined by another ex-
fatal bullets examined by Maj Goddard,
Personally have the utmost conf
dence in DR.. Souder's Identification of
the gun, but in order to eliminate all
possible doubt in the mind of any one,
1 want that gun examined by Maj.
Goddard. I have no doubt about the