Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-07
Edward c. Schaefer Cleared
of All Charges in Connec-
ton With Mystery.
MEN JAILED AS BANDITS
WILL BE QUESTIONED
Fourth Bullet Wound Found in
Body of Victim-His Skull
Also Fractured.

Edward C. Schaefer, one Of two mem
bers of the Marine Band arrested In
connection with the mysterious murder
of Pvt. Emanuel Thorne, 25-year-old
Marine, whose bulhet-riddled body was
found Saturday in a patch of woods at
Greater Capitol Heights, Md, was re-
leased from the Prince Georges County
jail today.
Schaefer was freed by Sheriff w.
Curtis Hopkins, who explained investi-
gators had not been able to unearth
sufficient evidence to warrant holding
him. Schaefer was met at the jail in
Upper Marlboro by former States At
torney ]. Frank Parran, who was re-
tanned yesterday by his mother Mrs,
Jane Schaefer. The Marine said he
was coming to washington. where his
wife and their 8-month-old son were
awaiting him.
Scars Led 70 Arrest.
His arrest, he said, was the result of
two scars on his face, received about
six weeks ago. The scars, he added.
gave investigators the idea he had been
involved In a fight, and Thorne is be-
heved to have been killed in a drunken
brawl.
Schaefer's release leaves only one man
in custody, but two former Marines,
now serving sentences in the District
Reformatory, at Lorton, Va, are ex-
pected to be questioned in connection
with the case.
Meanwhile, Prince Georges County
authorities are holding Vincent Sell
bicky, also a member of the Marine
Band, in the rear of whose home
Thorne's body was found Saturday
buried in a shallow grave. Another
man, also Marine, is being sought by
Washington police.
Believed Slain Here.
The investigation turned to the Capt.
tai when Maryland police adopted the
theory that Thorne was murdered here
and taken to the woods in an automo-
bile.
The car believed to have been used
by the slayer has been in possession of
Prince Georges County investigators
since March Is, but no effort was made
70 link it with the murder until yes
terday.
the former Marines who face arrest
are Samuel A. johnson, % years old,
and Clarence P. Hulse, "A years old, Of
Baltimore, Md.
Indicted In HoId-ups.
The men were indicted March 8 last
IN connection with the theft of a taxi
cab from Frederick w. Hopkins, July
Is, 1890, and the hold-up the same eve
ming Of Benjamin r. Burch, gasoline
filling station collector, at 133 Pennsyl-
Yania avenue.
On February /, 1881, the two 4nen,
with third accomplish, also indicted
but never apprehended, are alleged to
have again held up Burch and robbed
him of $1,043. On the previous occasion
they obtained $2,116. The tag numbers
OF their machine were furnished police
in connection with the February l
hold-up, which took place at Sixth
street and Rhode Island avenue, and
they were arrested February %.
Johnson, at the time Of his arrest,
gave his address as 637 @ street south
east, and Hulse stated he was from Bal
ttmore. The men also were questioned
concerning Baltimore robberies.
Fourth Wound Found.
A fourth bullet hole was found in
Thornes head yesterday when Navy
physicians performed a secret autopsy
at the Ritchie, Md, undertaking parlor
where the body is being kept The
autopsy revealed Thorne's skull had
been fractured and his upper teeth
crushed. Another autopsy, performed
Saturday night by DR.. James l. Boyd,
resulted in the discovery of only three
bullet wounds.
The condition of the body, Chief
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Garrison de-
clared today, indicates Thorne was
killed during a terrific battle. The
Staying, believed to have been the result
of a drunken brawl, occurred about the
middle of January, shortly after Thorne
disappeared from the Marine Barracks
here, Garrison said.
Charges of illegal possession of liquor
have been placed against Selbicky.
Under the Maryland law, it would
have been necessary to release Selbicky,
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