Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-25
MARTZ IS CHARGED
| WITH NUMBERING
z|RKLE IN BRAWL
Desire to Be "Real TOUGH
Guy" Held Motive for Pool
Room Staying.
FAIL TO LINK CRIME
WITH OTHER KILLINGS
Accused Was Drunk When He
Fired Fatal Bullet, Police Say.
One Witness Being Detained.

Robert E. Martz, 20, was charged
with first-degree murder today in the
shooting Of Irving zirkle, 81, who died
at Emergency Hospital several hours
after he had been wounded in Ninth
street pool room Saturday night.
The charge was placed against Martz
at the first precinct police station,
where the youthful gunman has been
held since the shooting
Meanwhile police are continuing
the shooting by the diminutive Young
man, who described himself as a CON-
mercial photographer.
AT present they arc adhering to the
theory desire to be "a real tough
guy" inflamed by overindulgsnce in
liquor, caused Martz TO shoot Zirkle
Drunkenness Blamed.
After a thorough investigation. begun
while Zirile still was fighting for his
life at the hospital, police have con-
cluded the shooting had no connection
with any other killings which have oc-
CURED hare recently, with the possible
exception of the Staying of Jack H Cum
bingham, police informer.
In statement obtained by Detectives
j. A. Mostyn and A. D. Mansfield, first
precinct, Martz is said to have confessed
the shooting, declaring: II don't know
why did it"
Martz, according to the detectives, was
intoxicated when he staggered into the
pool room. operated by zirkles brother,
Ben, in the 900 block of Ninth strest.
Weaving with uncertain steps to o
radiator against which Vernon Hawks.
~, was leaning, Martz is said to have
slapped him. Then, according to wit
nesSes, Martz drew revolver and fired.
Meanwhile Zirkle is said to have
stepped between the two in an effort
to prevent any fighting. The bullet
tore through Zirkle's body and struck
Milton Knight, who was standing
nearby. As zirkle fell, another brother.
Melvin, seized Martz, but not until
after the youth had discarded his pistol
and ran outside, where he is said to
have smashed a pint bottle of gin.
Life Fight Futile.
Irving zirkle was taken to the hos
pital. where friends offered to supply
blood for transfusions in the hope his
died few hours later. Knight, who
suffered only slight wound. did not
go to the hospital.
Martz was taken to the first precinct,
where he was questioned by Mostyn,
Mansfield and Sergt. H. W. Lineburg
When he sobered he nervously paced
his cell, seemingly appalled, at the seri-
business OF his predicament.
The assertion that the shooting was
accidental was made by Martzs attor-
ney, o. w. H. Hughes. Martz. accord
ing to the lawyer, was handing the
weapon to Harry Burch, who had ac-
companied him to the pool room, when
it was accidentally discharged.
Both Burch and Hawks we're arrested
in connection with the shooting, but
the latter was released after being ques-
ton at the first precinct.
Hawks Just Released.
Only short time before the shooting
Hawks had been liberated after oues-
tionjng in connection with the shooting
Of Burt Smith, who was wounded in a
Twelfth street speakeasy Saturday a
week ago Although Smith declared he
had accidentally shot himself police
regarded this explanation with consid-
cradle skepticism
Burch, who is 81, is being held at the
first precinct where he is booked for
Investigation. Police believe he may
be able to shed additional light on
Martz's activities. Three other men
who were arrested in connection with
the case have been released
Coroner j. Ramsay hewitt will hold an
inquest into zirkle's death tomorrow
morning.
The only link between the Zirkle slay-
ing and the Cunningham murder 1t is
said, is the fact the revolver with which
Smith was wounded was turned over to
first precinct police by Cunningham a
short time before the infornaer was shot,
and the bullet which felled zirkle is be-
lieved to have been intended for Hawks.
Police are making an effort to clear up
this phase of the Zifkle shooting before
the. inquest.