Evening star., 1931-12-12
LANDRUM FOUND
GUILTY Of ASSAULT
Jury Scales Down Charge
Against PoIiceman-SiroIa
Is Acquitted.

Vivian H. Landrum, ninth precinct
policeman, was convicted Of a simple
assault on a prisoner by a District Su-
preme Court jury last night, while his
co-defendant, John Sirola, another po-
liceman, was acquitted.
In Landrums case the jury scaled
down the charge from an assault with
a dangerous weapon. Sentence probably
will be imposed by Justice James M.
Proctor within a week or 10 days. The
maximum penalty is either a year in
jail and $3.50 fine or both.
E. Russell Kelly, defense attorney, to-
day announced he would demand new
trial
The jury reported last night at 9:15
o'clock after celebrating five hours.
Before an agreement was reached the
jury asked permission to examine a
3-foot club resembling a base ball bat
which the prosecution charged had been
used as weapon by one or both of the
policemen in arresting Henry johnson,
colored laborer, at his home, 1874 Mon
tello avenue northeast, August S, last.
The request was denied by Justice Proc
tor.
Wife Principal Witness.
Johnsons wife, the principal Govern
ment witness, testified she left her
home the night of August 5 after a
quarrel with her husband. She said
she was accosted nearby by Landrum
and Sirola She testified they went
to the Johnson home on their own initi-
ative and attacked her husband with
out provocation.
The wife said johnson held clup
in his hands as he ordered the police
men out of the house. She added Lam
drum grabbed the weapon and began
striking Johnson with it. She ran from
the house, and few minutes later the
policemen emerged with Johnson's un-
conscious form. He was removed to
Casualty Hospital and recovered.
Both defendants denied striking
Johnson with the club. They said they
went to the house on complaint of the
wife that Johnson was gaSsed during
the World War, was subject to spells
and had chased her from the dwelling.
They said Johnson resisted arrest, max
ing the use Of force necessary.
Conflicting Testimony.
There was conflicting testimony con-
cerning the defense contention that
Johnson had been drinking. johnson
insisted he had not.
James R. kirkland an assistant
United States attorney, prosecuted the
case.
Meanwhile. Justice Proctor postponed
until next Friday hearing on motion
for a new trial made in behalf of James
Mostyn and William r. Latin, other
policemen under conviction on third
degree charges. They were found
guilty on charges of simple assault
on James Henry Harker, young baker
A similar motion of Robert j. Bar
rett, detective sergeant, also was
deferred He was convicted Of beating
George NJ. Baber with his fists.
Trial Set for Monday.
Another alleged police brutality case
is scheduled for trial Monday before
Justice F. D. Let's in Criminal Division
2. An indictment of six counts charges
Charles H Bremerrnan and Hollis H
Clark, suspended policemen of the old
No. precinct, with assaulting Thomas
M. Williams, colored, II years old, with
wooden club while Williams was in
CUSTODY on cnarge OL sunplClOA Oh
three separate dates in June last.
United States Attorney Rover has as
signed Assistant United States Attor-
news William A. Gallagher and John f.
Fitzpatrick to conduct the prosecution.
ATTORNEYS James A. O'Shea and John
H Burnett will defend the policemen.
Williams with seven other colored
bows had been corralled by officers on
suspicion Thursday June "a and the
indictment alleges separate charges OF
! assaults with q wooden ciuo on each OF
| the following three days by the officers.
| The first count charges That Bremen
man held the club when the boy was
beaten June rs. The second count puts
| the club in the hands OF Clark on the
same day. The third count deals with
an alleged assault with wooden club
June 26, with Bremerman holding the
| weapon. The fourth charges the same
assault on the same Gay with Clark
| welding the club The fifth count
| charges that Bremerman again beat the
bow with the club June II, while the
sixth count puts the club IN Clark's
hands on that date. ..--r--., ,..-.--.