Evening star., 1937-07-17
STATE RESTS CASE
IN BONDING TRIAL
Defense Continues Tuesday.
Charges Against z Ex-
Policemen Dismissed.
| stsn Correspondent Of The Star.

ky Z Ston CORRESPONDENT OF Inc 1tAf.
UPPER MARLBORO. Md. July II.
Trial OF seven men on charges OF
conspiracy in connection with an AL
legged bonding racket for defrauding
Washington motorists will be resumed
Tuesday, after the State rested its
case suddenly yesterday and obtained
dismissal Of charges against two Of
the defendants.
States Attorney Alan Bowie asked
that charges be dismissed against
Howard Slater and Maurice Hampton,
former Prince Georges County police
men. Bowie explained that witnesses
which the State had expected to pro-
duce against the two defendants could
not be brought to court.
The judges then suggested that the
two defendants In question leave the
court room if they 70 desired. Slater
and Hampton were brought to trial
with Herbert j. Moffat. Hyattsville
Justice Of the peace; Elmer Pum-
phrey. Suitland bondsman. and for
mer County Policemen Albert An
derson, Arthur Brown. Warren Peake,
Claude A. Reese and Frank Bell. .
former desk clerk At the Hyattsville
station.
Alleged Bribery Evidence Fails.
Bowie was unsuccessful in his ef-
forts to bring out testimony ~ to
an alleged bribery attempt on . wit
ness. Charles Hamilton. colored. Of
the 1400 block OF T street.
The State introduced Detective
Jake Wolfe Of the Washington auto
mobile squad In An effort TO show
that he had arrested 4 man later
charged with attempting to bribe
Hamilton not TO come to trial.
The defense. however. objected k
Wolfes testimony As to how he wait
ed in 4 closet in Hamilton'& apart.
ment and heard = colored man come
In and talk about the case
The judges sustained the objection
Wolfe left the stand without testify.
ing to any extent about the alleged
bribery case
Another Held In d. C.
Several weeks ago the detective ar.
rested Harry McH. Braxton. oolored
Of Lakeland. Nd. on = charge OF at.
tempted bribery. Braxton is beini
held for the District OF Columbi,
grand jury on a charge OF ATTEMPTED
bribery. Efforts by States ttorne!
Bowie to bring Braxton AZ . witness
before the court proved futile.
John s. White. Hyattsville attor
ney. took the stand yesterday after
noon to explain how he happened
to represent Woodrow Brice. colored
who was arrested in Hyattsville on ,
charge Of driving at more than 81
miles an hour.
White said that he had been asket
to take the case by Attorney Jane
F. Hughes. 4 former assistant to tn,
United States attorney in the Dis
trict. White explained to the jur,
that Hughes had told him Brice woul,
lose his driving permit and therefor,
be unable to earn 4 living If he VA
convicted OF driving At more than 81
miles an hour.
Character Witnesses Heard.
When the prosecution rested it
case yesterday afternoon the defens
began putting character witnesses OF
the stand. More than . dozen promi
nent business men OF Prince George
County testified As to the reputatio,
Of the defendants.
States Attorney Bowie said he ha.
| asked for . dismissal only Of the in
dictments under which Slater ant
Hampton were on trial. He woult
not discuss possible prosecution o
the two former policemen under an.
Of the 30 indictments returned las
December following An investigation
instituted by the Keystone Automobile
Club.