Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-04-13
WOMAN DISPUTES
WITH LET'S OVER
ATTORNEY CHOICE
Mrs. Krieger Seeks to Keep
Own Lawyer in Trial
on BIackmaiI.
CHARGES AGAINST PAIR
CONTINUED ONE WEEK
Attempt to Obtain $4,000 From
Alexandria Banker Is
Alleged.

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Trial on blackmail charges of Mrs
Mary Krieger, 35, this city, and
Samuel Leighton Frooks. So, Jackson
Heights, N. Y, was continued until
next Tuesday in District Court today
after Justice F. Dickinson Let's had
squelched brief but vigorous dispute
over his appointment of local
lawyer to represent the woman. The
two are charged with attempting to
blackmail the late Carroll Pierce,
Alexandria banker.
Mrs. Kreiger, her eyes flashing, pro-
tested when Justice Let's designated
Thomas Ahearn to represent her in
stead of appointing William E. Leahy,
her own choice. There was a delay
until Ahearn was brought into court.
When he asked to be relieved of the
assignment, the court named John
]. McGinnis as the woman's lawyer
During the argument over attorneys
Mrs. Krieger declared that the future
of her daughter was at stake" At
one point she brought the 15-year-old
girl to the counsel bench and re-
peated her plea that the child's flu
ture be protected by appointment of
her chosen lawyer.
Objects to Sob Stuff"
Roger Robb, assistant United States
attorney, broke in with an objection
to this sob stuff" in front of the
jury panel, members of which we're
seated in the court room.
The fashionably dressed Mrs. Krie-
ger, formerly school teacher in Ok
lahoma, at one point entered into
debate with Justice Let's, demanding.
Haven't any constitutional rights?"
Justice Let's replied: Yes, and they
will be protected"
William r. Berkson represented
Frooks, who formerly was Repub-
lican candidate for Congress.
Mrs. Krieger and Frooks were in
dicted for allegedly attempting to
blackmail Pierce to the extent of
$4,000, after Mrs. Krieger had met
Pierce in the Citizens National Bank
of which he was president. Pierce
died recently. The woman is said to
have claimed the banker promised
her job in his bank, but failed to
carry out the agreement.
Unable to Raise Fee
Mrs. Krieger, leaving the side of
her attractive daughter, began her
argument with Justice Let's as soon
as court opened this morning.
She explained she had been unable
to raise a fee with which to employ
lawyer, but that on consulting Leahy
she was convinced he would be willing
to represent her If the court would
appoint him for that purpose. She
indicated she wished the trial de-
layed to give her time to prepare her
case with the lawyer.
Robb asked Mrs. Krieger if it were
not a fact that she was notified q
month ago that the trial would go
forward today.
Justice Let's at this point ex-
planned that, in anticipation of her
possible inability to employ coun-
sci, the court had designated Ahearn
to represent her.
Mrs. Krieger asserted she wanted
Leahy, not Ahearn, and declared she
had not had an opportunity to talk
to Ahearn about her case.
Ahearn Asks to Be Relieved.
Robb disputed her assertion, declar-
ing he knew she had several confer
ences with Ahearn. 1t was not until
Ahearn himself requested to be re-
1ieved that Justice Let's would con-
sent to a change. The continuance
was granted to give McGinnis an
opportunity to confer with his client.
According to L. j. Levisee of New
the attorney was a candidate at large
for the Republican nomination pre-
ceding the last election. He was ap-
pointed special assistant to the at
torney general of New York in 1884.
Both Frooks and Mrs. Krieger were
arrested after investigators had laid
trap in downtown hotel where
1t was said arrangements had been
made for Pierce to meet them with
$4,000.
The woman met Pierce when she
leased safe deposit box.
Suit Threat Alleged.
Later she is said to have threat
ened to sue the bank president If
he did not employ her, and engaged
Frooks, who made several trips from
New York to confer with Pierce.
Dropping the threat of court action,
Frooks allegedly attempted to get
Pierce to pay $4,000 in settlement.
Pierce then informed the District
attorneys Office of the matter and
detectives were assigned to the case.
After his arrest Frooks told Robb he
had been promised a $500 fee to
represent Mrs. Krieger, Robb asserted.