Evening star., 1937-05-28
TOML|NSON CASE
IS SENT TO JURY
Lawyer Accused of PLANNING
and Directing Robbery
of Tailor.

The District Court robbery trial Of
j. William Tomlinson, well-known
lawyer, went to the jury at u 20 pm.
today after four and a half days OF
trial.
Conviction might carry a maximum
prison term of Is years. Tomlinson
and Philip John Pratt, colored, are
charged by the Government with rob-
bing Sam Siratonis, proprietor Of a
tailor shop at 3003 Fourteenth street,
OF s785 last August 18. Pratt was
tried Jointly with the lawyer.
Tomlinson is best known in WASH
lngton for his work as counsel for
CASTOR B. Means during Means trial
here in connection with the Lindbergh
baby kidnapping hoax.
Governments Charge.
The theory of the Governments case
is that he planned and directed the
robbery, although not actually present
at the scene of the crime.
Final argument to the jury on be-
half Of Tomlinson was made by Chief
Defense Counsel James A. O'Shea,
who staked the entire case on an allDi
and the alleged lack of credlbilitv Of
two colored witnesses who implicated
Tomlinson. Assistant United States
Attorneys Samuel F. Beach and
Charles B. Murray told the jury the
alibi was not entitled to belief.
Continuing court far past the usual
time for adjournment, Trial Justice F.
Dickinson Let's yesterday disposed Of
all testimony to be offered. He was
determined to end the trial today 50
the jurors would not have to return
after the holiday week end
Cross of Tomlinson by
Assistant United States Attorney Sam
Beach late yesterday elected state
ments that the defendant disconnected
his telephone and gave up his law Office
prior to the date of the robbery.
Tells of Meeting Pratt.
Admitting he knew Pratt Tomllnson
said he met him through Pratt's en-
ployer, who was the head of a bootleg
gang running illicit spirits to Wash
ington from New Jersey. He said he
represented the colored man in civil
suit arising out of an automobile acci-
dent and later called at his home. AL
street northeast. as attorney for Pratt's
brother, Maurice Pratt. who was
charged with traffic offense.
During that period Tomlinson said
in response to questions by Beach,
he received all his telephone calls
from clients at night at his Chevy
Chase home.
why did they only call you at
night?" Beach queried.
Because they run whisky at night"
the defendant replied.
He said he spent much of his time
during the day playing bridge at
the Fairfax Hotel
Walter Smallwood, one Of the two
colored men who testified against
Tonllinson. picturing him as the
brains behind the tailor shop rob-
berry, also worked for the same boot
logger, Tonlinson testified. He said
both Pratt and SmaIlWood were intro.
duced to him by the liquor gang chief.
Lawyers Wife Testifies.
Mrs Josephine B. Tomlinson. wife
OF the defendant. was one Of the
principal witnesses relied on to es-
tablish his alibi. She referred to
little green diary to fix dates in an.
sver to questions.
Recalled to the stand yesterday 70
clear up few antiquities, Mrs. Tom.
linson burst into tears when asked
what she had written in her diary on
August %, the day her husband was
arrested at their home. She said she
had made no entry.
Tomlinson testified he ACCOMPANIED
his wife to work the morning the
robbery was committed and then went
to the Woodward Building Office o,
Mrs. Sadie A. Gentry. notary public,
where he remained until nearly II
am. From that time until noon, he
| said, he was in the Office of an in.
surance adjuster in the same build
Ing. Then he had lunch with the ad.
1uster and later played bridge at the
Fairfax.
Pratt said he was at home at the
time of the robbery.