Evening star., 1934-02-14
ACCUSER DRUNK,
MURREL CLAIMS
Army Ex-Foot Ball Star
TeStifies He Was Only
Caring for Her.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO, Tex, February
I4.-Lieut. John H. Murrel, strapping
former West Point foot ball star, teS-
tified yesterday that Miss Blanche
Rails was intoxicated and he was
taking her home to his mother at
the time she alleges he criminally
assaulted her last Fall.
The defendant told a crowded Fed
eral court room that his accuser, a
pretty Alabama divorce. was in a
drunken condition" on the morning
Of October %, following a party in
celebration Of foot ball game.
Because he did not wish to take
her downtown to a hotel, Murrel tes-
tilted, he decided to take her to his
Army quarters where he planned to
turn her over to his mother.
En- route home they stopped near
a radio tower on the Fort Sam Hous-
ton Military Reservation where Miss
Rails had testified the attack oc-
Cured. He planned to proceed to
his home after Miss Rails had re-
covered from her illness, Murrel
testified.
why did you take her to the mill
tary reservation" E. A. Mcdaniel,
defense attorney. asked
II did not know what to do with
her, sir" Murrel answered. She was
In a drunken condition. If I had
taken her to a hotel 1 didn't know
how to register for her. I didn't want
to be seen downtown with her. I
didn't want to leave her to the Jail
or to the street. I only knew she was
with our party and had to take
care of her.
Mother at Quarters.
The lieutenant said that his mother
was at his quarters and Il knew she
would take care of her"
Murrel explained he stopped at the
radio tower because "if 1 had been
seen by enlisted men with vomiting
woman in my car at that time of
day it would not have been so good
for an officer. Just thought, why
not stop here?-let her get through
being sick out OF doors
Murrel denied emphatically that he
had attacked Miss Rails and also as
serted he did not tell Miss Rails she
would "be afraid Of publicity"
To combat the testimony Of Miss
Rails that she had drunk only two
cocktails during the night, the de-
fense yesterday afternoon called Mrs.
Ruth Mealy, who admitted on the
stand that she formerly was a boot
logger. The witness said she served
drinks to Miss Rails. Miss Gladys
Newman and Jack Plummer.
They came to her house about 9
pm, she testified.
During the hour they were there
I served each of them five highballs, -
she said.
Efforts to shake her testimony on
cross examination failed.
Forrest Miller, another defense wit
ness, testified that in his opinion Miss
Rails was drunk"
veracity Attacked.
II. o. Peveler, for 10 years special
investigator for the Birmingham. Ala,
took the stand for the defense and
declared Miss Rails general reputa-
ton for truth and veracity in her
nome Town WdS DdQs
Corp. 9. e. Martin testified that
he saw Lieut.. Murrel drive past the
mess hall about $40 am. and saw
him pass on his return within is
minutes accompanied by woman.
Two other soldiers. Sergt. Ralph
Richmond and Pvt. E. h. Everage
corroborated Corp. Martins testimony
Richmond said his quarters were
about 10 or 80 yards from the scene
of the alleged a+ack and that he
heard no screams and no one crying
at the time alleged.
L. E. Wanke. operator Of a room
ing house where Miss Rails and hel
sister lived, testified that on two oc-
casions when military police visited
his house and called for Miss Rails
she took of her clothes and got
in bed.
Miss Rails previously had testified
that she remained in bed a week after
the alleged attack.
Corp. Anthony A. Thomas, trans
mitter at the Fort Sam Houston radio
station, told the court that the lights
on the radio tower we're out on the
morning Of the asserted attack Miss
Rails testified yesterday they were on
Miss Rae MurTei, sister of the de-
fendant, testified military police off,
cials visited her brothers quarters tc
inspect his clothing. No grass stainl
were found on them, she said.
Brazil Plants Rushed.
Manufacturers in Brazil are in.
ereasing production.