Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-19
POL|CEMEN.DENY
HEARING SCREAMS
AT FIRST PRECINCT
Severa! Testify at Brutality
Trial to Having Seen,Rub-
Der Hose at Station.

Defense testimony that no screams or
other indications of an assault were
heard by policemen on duty at the
first precinct station house during the
alleged "thiIG degree" inquisition of
James Henry Earker was given today
in the trial of four policemen accused
Of brutality
A number Of policemen attached to
the first precinct denied that there
was q disturbance of any kind at the
station house on the day of the alleged
beating Of Harker with q rubber hose.
Admit Seeing Rubber Hose.
Under cross-examination, several of
the officers said they had seen a piece
of rubber hose about the station house
on various occasions, and two of the
defense witnesses. under Questioning by
United States Attorney Leo A. Rover,
said they did not notice any cuts or
bruises on Harker's face when he was
brought into the station. Previously,
on direct examination by Defense At
torney James A. O'Shea, three Of the
policemen testified that Harker's face
was flushed and swollen, apparently
due to his state of intoxication.
The story of Harker's arrest early
on the morning Of August % for in
veStigation in connection with lunch
room robbery near North Capitol and
H streets was related by policemen who
took part in the arrest and confine-
ment OF the young baker.
Policeman Warren L. Curtis, Pvt.
Paul G. WitherS and Sergt. Ernest
Myers told the jury that Harker ap
peared to have been on drunk and
that his eyes were bloodshot and his
face bloated. Under croSs-examina-
ton, Curtis said Harker's eyes seemed
to be normal in so far as injuries were
concerned and Withers said he saw no
cuts or bruises on Harker's face when
the prisoner was brought to the sta
ton.
Policemen James H. Murphy and L.
A. Lewis said they heard no screams
or outcries in the station house at the
time Harker alleges he was being as
saulted in the sergeants' room and they
said they had no knowledge OF any
such assault.
other defense witnesses today In
cluded William K. Hutchinson, news
paper correspondent, who said ne was
at the station house on the morning
VI the dllSBeu dLIdSh ohN %ASA
groans or other noises in the SergeantS
room, and F. Preston Smith, police
man, who said Harker appeared 10 pe
drunk at the time of his arrest.
Under crosS-examination, Hutchln-
son said Mostyn told him ne hao
just Cleaned up an important ROBBERY
case.
Outlines Burroughs Defense.
Frank j. Kelly, attorney for Police
man Burroughs, outlined to the Jury at
the outset of today's session the defense
he will make for his client. He said he
would show that Burroughs had an ex-
cellent reputation as q policeman and
as family r1an." the father OF ~
children. He said it would be shown
that Burroughs performed his duty
properly when he arrested Harker ana
took him to the station house and that
Burroughs remained in the sergeants
room, although technically of duty, IN
order to check on Harker's replies 10
Detective Mostyn s questions.
At no time, the attorney told the
jury, did Burroughs see Harker sub
jected to a beating or other abuses.
The defense first put on the stand
five character witnesses for Grooms, all
of whom testified to the latter's good
reputation. These witnesses were Mar
shall Pickering, Capitol employe;
Worth Shouts, National Geographic
Magazine writer; Earl G. King, ac-
countant, Shipping Board; Robert l..
Lowrey, salesman, and Capt. William
G.. Stott, from the Police Department.
Francis x. Fitzgerald, night watch
man, who assisted Policeman Bur
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