Evening star., 1933-04-09
TRIALS EXPEDITED :
IN CRIMINAL COURT
D. c. Among Few Cities With
Dockets to Clear, Justice
Department Shows.

Although in many cities the admins
tration of justice is impeded by pro-
longed delays between the return Of
an indictment and the trial of the de-
fendant, the criminal docket Of the
District Supreme Court is SO nearly
up to date that trials of minor charges
are being held one week after the rer
turn Of the indictment
There are few, If any, other large
cities in the country that can boast
of such a favorable record, according
to figures in the annual report of the
Justice Department.
When the District Supreme Court
adjourned last Friday, United States
Attorney Leo A. Rover reported there
were only 40 cases awaiting trial. In
June, 1928, when Mr.. Rover first took
over his duties as district attorney,
there were approximately TIA untried
cases on the docket
At that time. many months neces-
sarily elapsed between an Indictment
and trial. Numerous defendants, un-
able to furnish bond, had to be kept
In jail at public expense until they
could be brought to trial. If the trial
resulted in acquittal for the defendant,
he had no redress for the loss Of in
come during the time spent in a cell.
situation Now Different.
The situation now, however. is radi-
cally different
On March rs one Ernest williams
was arrested on a charge of assault with
dangerous weapon. An indictment
was returned against him on March 80.
He was brought to trial on April O.
only IL days after the commission OF
the offense-anN convicted.
Even in major cases, the delays which
so often result in Illustration OF punish
ment have been eliminated here. Charles
Harris, accused Of first-degree murder
In the Staying of Milton w. (Milsie)
Henry was indicted on January rs.
Eight weeks later, on March G1. he was
placed on trial and subsequently con-
Vcted.
When Mr.. Rover came into Office
there had been from 600 to TOO. cases
awaiting trial for many years. Conse-
quently one of his first official acts was
to arrange for the establishment OF
third criminal court, which sat during
october, November and December, 1881.
A great many of the long-standing
cases were disposed of in this tribunal.
Others, which had been pending in some
cases as long as five years without the
defendant being apprehended, were
nolle pressed unless of unusual impor-
tance
With the docket then in fairly good
shape, two assistant prosecutors were
added to the staff and assigned to the
criminal courts. AS result Of efficient
MANAGEMENT and long hours of work.
virtually all the old cases have been
cleared up. Despite the. increasing
number of crimes, the courts are ready
to proceed with current cases.
Justice Moving Rapidly.
Chief Justice Alfred A. Wheat and
Justice Daniel W. O'Donoghue are now
sitting in the criminal division. They
have been disposing of approximately
eight cases day, and at this rate
most of the cases now on the docket
will be out of the day by next Monday.
In a report to Mr.. Rover yesterday,
Chief Clerk John C. Conliff, jr., stated
three first degree murder cases and one
other capital punishment case were
among the "a cases disposed Of in
Criminal Court No. 2 during the past
month
There has been a great deal of specu-
lation as to the identity of the next
district attorney. although no word has
come from the White House on this
matter. One thing, however, is as
sured-whoever is selected to fill the
post will find waiting for him cleared
desk, a novelty in the prosecuting field.