Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-15
so Sd DEGREE CASES
READY FOR Jury
Department of Justice Probe
Said to Involve rs
Policemen.
Continued From First Page.)

completed, as 1t was the Commissioners
who first asked the bureau to conduct
the investigation.
After attorneys for Inspector stoll
and Officer Hunt filed their petition
with the court, both lawyers issued
statements explaining their actions.
In his statement Mr. Quinn said that
in filing the petition I'VE wish it dis
tinctly understood that this move is
not to be taken as an indication on our
part that we will do anything to block
or impede any investigation by any
board appointed by the Commissioners
for the District of Columbia. We have
taken this step because we feel that 1t
is high time that illegal reports by
grand jurieS in this District be con-
demned end that grand jurors be given
to understand that their duty is to in
dict or ignore and that it is no part
OF their duty to make vicious attacks
on individuals whether in public or
private life"
In the statement issued by Mr.. ia
cobSon the grand jury is also taken
to task in the following language:
1T is believed that this is the proper
time to put the present grand jury
and every other grand jury on notice
that when the motives and conduct of
the individual are impugned and he
held to reprobation without an OPP
portunity to defend or protect his name
Oh reputation, that such grand juries
shall have. a healthy regard for the
responsibility of its utterances and to
restrain false exaggerated and unfound-
er statements
Declares Trial Sought.
1.-THE filing of the petition to ex-
plunge the special report OF the grand
jury on behalf Of Mr.. Hunt should not
be construed as attempting to discour-
age any thorough investigation of the
charges or Of hiding behind technicali-
ties.
"Mr Hunt has made every effort pos
Sible to obtain trial without avail,
and he still welcomes the opportunity
to face his accusers before any fair and
impartial trial board.
The board of five attorneys ap-
pointed by the Commissioners. whose
reputation and standing in the COM
munity are beyond reproach, is salts
factory to Mr.. Hunt and he is willing
and anxious that charges be preferred
against him Immediately and that he be
given a trial before that board"
The petition to expunge the grand
jury report from the files, state that
since it Is neither presentment nor
indictment 1t was not filed by the grand
jury for a purpose of involving judi
cial action of tie court and was no part
Of any judicial proceeding in the court.
The only function required of the court
by the grand jury was that the court
shall act as its messenger in trans
hitting to the Commissioners the said
report and its recommendations"
Investigation of the grand jury'S
charges made in the Staples report, will
not be undertaken until the latter part
of the week, according to an announce
ment by Henry P. Blair. acting chair
man Of the special board OF five prom
inent washington lawyers appointed by
the Commissioners Saturday to con-
slider action on it.
Mr.. Blair said he planned to call the
group together either Thursday or Fri
day for an organization meeting. and
before any Steps are taken to begin
the inquiry the board would confer with
the Commissioners to determine the
procedure to be followed.
In the meantime several OF the five
civic leaders called upon by the Com
misSioners to assist them in selecting
the personnel OF an extraordinary
civilian board which will try members
of the Police Department. in the event
such a course Is recommended by the
lists containing the names OF outstand-
ing men they believe should be ap-
pointed to the Trial Board. One OF
the lists was submitted by George w.
Ofutt, president of the Washington
Board Of Trade.
Will Have 80 to Choose From.
Names of the men nominated Tor
the Trial Board, 1t was said, will not
be made public until all eve of the
civic organizations respond to the re-
quest to name candidates. Each group
was urged to submit list Of six men:
giving the Commissioners total OF
80 from which to choose board OF
five.
The pressure of private business was
given by Mr.. Blair as the reason Tor
the delay IN the organization OF the
board Of lawyers. Several OF the men
appointed to the board, he said, will be
busily engaged until the latter part OF
the week. Aside from Mr.. Blair the
board is composed OF Col. Walter G:
Clephane, Col j. Miller Kenyon, Daniel
w. O'Donoghue and Stanton g. Peeiie.
CORPORATION Counsel william W.
Bride announced he had pledged his
cooperation to the Investigating Board
and said he would arrange to have
quarters provided for meetings in the
District Building If the members desc
to gather there to conducts the inquiry.
He also has arranged to furnish the
board with stenographic trsr""ripts Of
the trial Of Orville Staples, at hich.
the grand Jury charged, the former pc.
licernan was framed" and removed
from the force.
Despite reports to the contrary, 1t was
said &c the District Building that the
Ave lawyers will conflne the scope Of
the inquiry to the grand jury charges.
There Is q remote probability, however,
It was pointed out, that the board might
be asked at the conclusion Of the in
vestigation to suggest improvements it
believes should be made IN the Police
Department.