Evening star., 1937-06-02

Continued From First PaeeD
the lead pellet from one of the un-
fired 32-caliber bullets found in
Keene's vest pocket. The lethal bull
let was 9i2 grains lighter than the
unfired bullet, it was revealed
we thought the lethal bullet was
a .32-caliber of the same type as the
bullets found in Keenes pockets, but
We can't be sure now" said Brubaker.
I'VE will have to make further tests.
OF course. there is possibility that
a few pieces of the lethal bullet may
have Clipped off when it struck the
skullbone
States Attorney F. Kirk Maddrix,
who is directing the investigation
here, said: I'VE have not enough evil
dence to say whether keene was mur-
dered or committed suicide
MaddriX said evidence which might
support a suicide theory is:
/. Keene was known to have owned
a .32caliber gun, which was last seen
in his possession about two years ago
2. The presence of three .32-caliber
bullets in his left vest pocket.
g. Discovery of Woman's silver
mesh handbag, with his keys in it, IN
the brief case
fatal wound could have been self
inflicted.
Blood Spot on Bunk.
But then Maddrix said, we must
try to explain the blood spot on the
dead mans bunk, on the Washstand
and on the aft deck rail about 10 feet
from his cabin. Obviously, the man
didn't shoot himself through the brain,
tie a brief case to his neck, climb out
of the window and Chamber along a
catwalk to the aft-deck rail before he
went overheard"
Solution of the battling case. Mad
dirk said. may hinge on Identification
of the auto jack and tire iron and the
mechanics hammer found in the brief
case. Investigators are proceeding on
the theory Keene owned the brief
case. but it has not been positively
identified yet, Maddrix pointed out.
If we found that Keene went aboard
that boat with suit case loaded with
metal and with pistol shells in his
pocket, We could hardly avoid the
suicide theory" Maddix said. "On the
other hand, we must remember that
Keene did not own an automobile, but
the tools were readily accessible to
murderer in the cars in the hold Of the
ship"
Friends in Washington were at
loss to explain the presence of auto
mobile tools in the weighted brief
case. They said Keene did not have
a car aboard the boat and had not
driven one for almost year. Keene's
automobile was damaged in an acci-
dent some time ago, they said, and
he never drove after that
Maddrix said he is anxiously await
ing the arrival here today of Smith,
who told Star reporter yesterday of
the marlin rope around the dead
mans neck.
Il had heard only of the strand Of
SolUOIi loHS "lllSll lIClQ Vic VI lC1 SdoG
to his neck" Maddrix said. If there
was a second strand of marlin rope
around his neck the murder theory will
be greatly strengthened"
Cut From the Neck.
Smith said the marlin rope was tied
so tightly it had to be cut from the
mans neck, while the cotton rope was
loosely tied.
Il just put stick under the cotton
rope and lifted the loop right over the
mans head Smith said. THE rope
had cut into the back of his neck from
the weight of the brief case, but still
it's wonder it didn't slip off in the
water. You know, rope shrinks in the
water and stretches when it Is dried
and put under pressure.
That loop must have been even
looser when the man was killed than
it was when I found him. But that
Marlin rope was plenty tight. I
heard somebody say it looked like
a piece of iron might have been tied
to that Marlin rope"
Mdl1lu rope, IL was explained, Is
used in the strongest lines on a boat
1t is treated to withstand the effects
of water.
Smith said Keene's left hip-pocket
was turned inside out when he found
the body. No money or wallet was
found
Keene, his family believes, had
about $40 when he boarded the boat.
He changed IS bill when he bought
bottle of soft drink at the refresh-