Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-06
GUN THOUGHT USED
IN MARINE MURDER
OFFERS NEW CLUE
Weapon Found to Be a 80,
Same CaIiber as Bullet
Lodged in Body.
AUTO BELIEVED USED
BY SLAYER IDENTIFIED
Constable Asserts Thorne Was Kill
ed March IA During
Drunken Brawl:

The .32-caliber revolver believed TO
have been used in the mysterious MUIR
der Of Pvt. Emanuel Thorne, 25-year-
old Marine, whose body was found in
a shall3w grave in Greater Capitol
Heights, Md, Saturday, has been found
by Prince Georges County authorities
and was to be examined by ballistic
experts today.
The revolver was brought to wash
ington by Chief Deputy Sheriff Thomas
Garrison Of Prince Georges County, who
admitted he was bound for the Bureau
OF Standards, where it was to be turned
over to Government experts.
Garrison refused to reveal how long
the weapon had been in his possession
or where it was found. similar attl-
tude was taken by Sheriff w. Curtis
Hopkins. who declined to discuss the
matter other than to say he was fairly
sure" the gun was the one used By
Th-rne's slayer.
CaIiber Is Similar.
The revolver. it was learned. was in
Carrison's possession early today when
he visited the woods IN which Thorne's
body was found.
The weapon is 50 caliber. and the
two bullets removed from Thornes BODY
during an autopsy Saturday night were
Of the same type.
One of the slugs entered Thorne's
head and lodged in his neck. while an
other pierced his spine. The third
bullet. which struck his elbow, was not
recovered.
Hide Mans Identity.
Both Garrison and Hopkins refused
&c reveal the identity of the man with
whom the chief deputy has an appoint
ment ct the Marine Barracks. Hopkins
admitted, however, the interview was
expected to shed some light on the
staying.
Meanwhile, Vincent selbicky. mem
Der of the Marine Band, in the rear OF
whose home the body of Thorne was
found, and Edward G.. Schaefer, an
other Marine, still were being held
inccmmunicado at the Upper Marlboro
jail.
The automobile believed to have been
used by the slayer already is in posses
sion of the Investigators, who are en-
deavoring to trace its ownership. The
car, 4 small coach, was found ADAM
doned on Crystal Spring road, about
two blocks from the patch OF woods in
which the corpse was found, by Con-
stable Earl Blackwell.
Lays Staying to BrawI.
The discovery was made March Is,
according to Blackwell, who fixed the
time Of the murder about midnight of
March II. The constable expressed the
opinion the murder vas the result OF
drunken brawl.
The machine, Blackwell continued,
was found on the side Of the road. The
slayer, he said, probably shot Thorne
in q roadside battle and then dragged
his body through the underbrush.
Residents OF tn. neighbarhood said
GafFissons companion was neighbor,
at whose home Sslbicky had bearded
until a short time ago. Selbickey. 1t
was added. began boarding there on re-
turning from Washington, where he had
gene following his separation from his
wife, Mrs. Beulah Selbicky, 1912 Twen-
ty-first street.
Schaefer, who lives on Hamilton
street. near Seventh street. was arres ed
at Beltsville, Md. yesterday at about
the same time Themes identity was
established He was taken to the Prince
Georges County Jail, at Upper Marlboro.
where both ne and Sslbicky are being
held incommunicado.
Under the Maryland Law they must
BE- released today, unless charges OIL
some kind are filed against them. Au-
thorities said, however. The charges
probably would be placed, but they re-
fused to reveal their nature. 1t is be-
lieyed. however. they will be technical,
designed only 10 make 1t possible TO
keep the two musicians in custody
pending the outcome Of an inquest
next Monday night.
- Both men have been questioned by
Sheriff w Curtis Hopkins, who said he
planned to continue questioning them.
He refused to disclose the result Of the
quiz. Thornes body was identified by
Pvt. John z. Harmon, 9ol Eleventh
street southeast, also a member OF the
Marines.
Harmon. who said he had known
Thorne since their rookie" days at
the Marine encampment at Paris Is
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