Evening star., 1936-12-02
NOLAN'S COUNSEL
BEGINS ARGUMENT.
Prosecution Rests in Trial
for Alleged Bribery of
Divorce Witnesses.

After a final effort by the defense
to, break down the testimony of
Francis M. Kearney. the Government
today closed its case against William
j. Nolan. local automobile dealer. now
being tried in District Court for the
alleged bribery of two witnesses in a
divorce case.
After the Government had rested
its case Defense Attorney Rudolph
Yeatman began an argument for a
directed verdict of not guilty, con-
tending the witnesses for the Govern
ment had failed to prove the bribery
charge and that the witnesses
allegedly induced to leave this juris-
diction we're not needed in any
divorce case then pending against
Nolan. Yeatman pointed out the wit
nesses in question we're supposed to
testify in the second case. which was
for absolute divorce. and which was
not at issue.
After Yeatman had concluded his
argument Justice James M. Proctor
ordered recess, saying he would take
the motion for a directed verdict un-
der consideration.
Kearney Takes Stand.
When the trial was resumed this
morning. Kearney. indicted with No
Ian, took the stand to give his expla-
nation of a defense assertion that he
had threatened to implicate Nolan
with the District attorney unless the
automobile dealer Laid $1,000 on the
line"
II told Mr.. Nolan" Kearney de-
clared, that I wanted Leo Rover to
represent me in the trial of the bribery
charge. It looked like was going to
take the rap, which meant three years
in Jail. I knew my business would &c
under and that my wife would be un-
able to support herself during that
time. Therefore I sent my attorney to
Nolan to ask that he put 5000 in
escrow for the benefit of my wife In
event I should be convicted and SEN
fenced. The money was to be returned
to Nolan If I were not convicted"
Defense Attorney George D. Hornins
then brought out on cross-examinatior
that Kearney yesterday denied making
the demand on Nolan and that he hac
said mo specific amount" was men.
toned in authorizing his attorney tc
approach the co-defendant.
Questioned by Shea.
Questioned further by Assistant
United States Attorney Walter M
Shea who Is working with John J
Fihelly in prosecuting the case, Kear.
ney quoted Nolan as having told hin
about a year ago that he wished h
could get Charlie Young bumped off,"
Nolan, seated at the trial table
laughed as this testimony was given
Young was one of the principal wit.
nesses against Nolan in the present
trial and also testified against him ir
divorce suit brought by his wife
Mrs. Alice M. Nolan.
, Before taking the stand as Gov
ernment witness, Kearney, formerly
one of Nolan's business associates, hat
entered a plea of "nolo contendere" Il
the bribery charge. This plea is ir
effect a plea Of guilty, but does moi
render the defendant liable to civi
action for damages.
Kearney testified yesterday that h
and the automobile dealer bribet
Charles and Matte Young, both col
ored. to. leave the District two day!
before q djvorce suit filed by Mrs. Alicl
M. Nolan, wife Of the defendant. wa
scheduled for trial. The Young
were subpoenaed as witnesses for Mrs
Nolan.
Kearney said Nolan gave him $5s
in cash to pay Young, also authoriz'
ing him to furnish the colored mai
with two tires for his automobile Il
he would 60 with his wife to Column
bia, s. G.