Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-23
ROVER EXCOR|ATES
FOUR POL|CEMENAS
TRIAL NEARS END
Charges 'Third-Degree Bru-
tally Case as Sordid as
Any Here in rs Years.

Declaring the picture presented BY
testimony in the third degree trial Of
four first precinct policemen is "as
sordid in its aspects as has been de-
veloped in the Nations Capital during
the last IS years." United States Attor-
ney Leo A. Rover today asked jury
in Criminal Division to return a yer.
dict that will record its urgent disap-
proval for all time Of such conduct By
police officers In the District of Column
bia''
Rover delivered q vigorous address tc
the jury in summarizing testimony BY
a parade of Government witnesses
against the defendants, Precinct De.
tective James A. Mostyn and Policemen
William r. Latin, william G. Grooms
and William T. Burroughs.
May Go to Jury Soon.
The alleged victim was James Henry
Harker, young apprentice baker, ar
rested last August for questioning ir
connection with a lunch room hold-up
Defense Attorney James A. O'Shes
followed Rover with strong plea fol
acquittal of the policemen, whom hi
described as honest and efficient OH.
GERS of the law.
The jury was expected to retire fol
a verdict late today following receipt
Of instructions from Justice James M
Proctor, presiding in the trial.
Rover drew for the jury a picture Of
"a mere boy at the mercy of merciless
Ill -
citizen behind the closed doors of 6
room"
There can be no question of the
right Of the police to attempt to gair
admissions of guilt in an effort to solve
crimes, providing the effort Is made
in fair and legitimate manner" the
district attorney declared.
Holds Rules Violated.
But it is unfair, cruel, illegitimate
and unlawful to attempt to coerce BY
force and extort confession by physi-
cal blows.
This case Is in no sense an indict-
ment of the whole Police Department
bers of that department, who, on thu
basis of the evidence, have violatel
every rule of the department, the code
of civilized nations and the instinct:
of humanity"
Rover said the defense, in it's fina
arguments, would drag back and forth
things about Harker which are 10
issues in this case" He said the Gov
eminent comedies Harkers crimina
accord and has no apology to offer it
except that the offenSeS were commit.
ted when Harker was q mere boy OF
10, as compared with his. present agt
of 49,"
Cites Issue in Case.
"The issue is not whether Harkel
broke into the lunch room in connec.
ton with the robbery of which he wa.
being questioned!" the prosecutor
shouted. 1.-THE SQUIRT will tell you tina
even If he did break in and steal, thest
efficers had no right to assault him.
1.-THE issue iIV this case Is: Did they
hit and beat him?'"
Rever asked that the defendants b
convicted on. both counts, namely
felonious assault with a dangerous
weapon, to wit. piece Of rubber hose
and simple assault by hand. He de.
clafed the two defendants who were
present while MoStyn and Lsflin alleg.
edly administered the beating are just
as guilty under the law as though they
had q ctually yielded the hose or struck
Harker with their fists.
Pictures Scene in Station.
isn't this what probably happened
in. that sergeant's room?" Rover asked
the jury. 'aThere were thcee detectives
and offe policeman in uniform against
ore suspect, in their custody, with the
CONTINUED on Pages2, Column 80