Evening star., 1937-12-15
BONDING DISPUTE
REFLECTED HERE
NETTING SEWELL
Argument Arises During Ar
raignment of Alleged
Safecracker.
NARCOTICS CHARGE
Is MADE AGAINST HIM
Bail Is Set at $4,000 on Recon-.
mendation of Federal Agent
Wilson.

The recent controversy over al
legged laxity by Police Court prosecut-
ing officials in permitting release of
known criminals on nominal bail was
reflected today in argument during
arraignment before United States
Commissioner Needham G. Turnage
Of an alleged member Of the Will
liams-Steele safe-cracking gang on
narcotics charge.
The defendant was Benjamin
(Honey Boy Sewell 20, colored, who
was released under $4,000 bond when
arraigned in Police Court Monday
on an auto theft charge in connection
with the alleged bandit gangs activ-
tiles, and was arrested again today on
. charge of possessing narcotics.
Through his attorney, Charles E.
Ford, Sewell waived preliminary hear
ing Commissioner Turnage asked
Federal Narcotics Agent M. B. Wilson
what he thought should be fixed for
bond, pending grand jury action.
Mr.. Wilson recommended $4,000. Mr..
Ford urged that it be only S1,5o0.
II am willing to take Mr.. Wilson's
recommendation for S3,000," Com
missioner Turnage said. II will not
make it any lower, and am frank to
say that without that recommendation
would set bail at S5,000"
Referring to police charges that
Sewell was one Of three men who es-
capped police ambush that foiled an
alleged attempt to rob safe in South
east washington on December 5. Com
missioner Turnage said that, although
only the narcotics charge was before
him, Il have right to take into
consideration that the defendant may
be mixed up, directly or indirectly,
in this other thing"
Bond Reform Urged.
II owe duty to this defendant to
see that he has his day in court guar
anteed any American citizen" he add
ed, but also have duty to society.
I had intended to fix his bail at S. 5000,
but suppose that the recommended
$4,000. plus the $4,000 he already is
under. will hold him as well as any,
thing"
In arguing for a lower bond, Mr..
Ford remarked that Capt. Ira E.
Keck, assistant chief OF detectives,
thinks this man should be put out
Of circulation, but I don't agree"
Maybe Capt. Keck is right, but we
won't argue that" retorted Commits
sioner Turnage.
After Sewells Police Court arraign-
ment, Capt. Keck had said he believed
higher bonds should be set in such
cases to keep the prisoner behind bars.
because don't want to see our detec-
tves killed by dope -crazed gunmen."
Previously, James A. Nolan, director
of the Criminal Justice Association,
had said that alleged safecracking ac-
tivities of the Williams-Steele gang
sters while at liberty under low bonds
emphasized the need of reform in
bonding procedure here. District At
torney Leslie c. Garnett argued at the
time that arbitrarily high bonds would
violate prisoners constitutional right
to bail. -
Others Also Heid.
The narcotics charge was placed
against Sewell today after a report
from Government chemists showed
that three capsules found on his per-
son when he was captured contained
heroin. Detective Sergt. Dan Jones of
the narcotics squad rearrested him at
his home in the 900 block of West
minister street NV. early today. |
Mr.. Ford said he would make the
additional $4,000 bail set by Commits
sioner Turnage. In arguing for q |
lower bond. he contended that the
fact Sewell remained at home know
ing that police were investigating the
narcotics charge established that mo
question of fugitivity is involved"
The other men who allegedly es-
capped the December police ambush,
In which Carlton G. (Cotty) williams
was slain, were held for grand jury
action when arraigned with Sewell in
Police Court Monday on charges Of
stealing an automobile found aban-
doned near the Suitland read house,
loaded with safecracking TOOLS John
M. Tabler was held under $4,000 bail.
James r. Steele, the third man in
volved, began serving one-year SEN
tence the same day on an old house.
hreakinr charge