Evening star., 1940-07-11
Officer Accused
OF Knowing
Mob S Plans
Two Go to Trial in
Sect Disorder Case
As Jones Is Cleared
sS staff Correspondent of The Sta-.

BY stan correspondent OF Ihe Sta~.
ROCKVILLE, Md, July ll.-Testi-
mony designed to show one of the
defendants had prior knowledge of
the plans of mob which broke up
the meeting of Jehoah's Witnesses
here June 10 was introduced today
before the Police Trial Board hear
ing neglect of duty charges against
Policemen Leslie B. Thompson and
Charles Peter.
Sergt. Roy Bodmer, acting county
police chief, told the board that
some time prior to the riot Police
man Thompson remarked to him
that some of the boys are going to
stick flag in the door to see what
the Jehovah's Witnesses will do"
The riot ensued when the sect
members refused mob's demand
that they salute the American flag.
Sergt. Bodmer testified after the
Trial Board refused to dismiss the
case against the two policemen fol-
lowing the acquittal last night Of
Sergt. Guy L. Jones, veteran officer,
on similar charges.
Men Serving Under Jones.
In asking dismissal. counsel for
the policemen said the two men
were working under Sergt. Jones
direction at the time of the trouble.
tIf Sergt. Jones isn't guilty" said
former States Attorney James H.
Pugh, who represented the defend
ants. they aren't guilty"
Sergt. Bodmer, under cross-ex-
animation, declared he did not at
tach any significance to Policeman
Thompson's remark because 1t was
not of specific nature. The acting
police chief said he thought it had
some reference to a prank"
He also testified that he did not
know until after the riot that 1t
was against the religious princi-
piles of Jehovahs Witnesses to salute
the flag.
Tells of Conversation.
Sergt. Bodmer also told of an
other conversation with Policeman
Thompson, in which he quoted the
latter as saying week before the
rot that Il thought you were 60
ing to have some fun last night"
Sergt Bodmer said there was no
specific reference to the sect men,
bers at that time He added it was
his belief that Policeman Thompson
was referring to a softball game in
Rockville. He explained that on
previous occasion there had been
''some trouble" at a game.
John Fraley, a Jehovah's Witness,
who was at the meeting which end
ed in riot, said that while the mob
was in the rooms of the religious
sect he asked Policeman Thompson
If he wasn't going to do something
to stop the mob"
Mr.. Fraley told the board the Of
ficer walked away without replying.
Sergt. Jones was acquitted and re-
stored to duty Immediately by the
Trial Board last night. More than a
score of witnesses were called upon
to testify during the seven hours the
hearing was in progress.
The board. which took three
hour recess to discuss the case be-
fore reaching a decision, declared
that none of the witnesses placed
Sergt. Jones at the scene of the
riot and said that all of the testi-
mony indicated he did everything
possible under the circumstances to
prevent trouble.
The principal witness for the
prosecution, former Chief Charles
M. Orme, who was discharged by
the county commissioners as a re-
suit of the riot, testified when called
to the stand by prosecution counsel,
Miss Vivian v. Simpson and Joseph
D. Simpson, jr. that Sergt. Jones
carried out all his instructions on
the night the mob broke up the
Witnesses meeting.
Judgment Criticized.
Mr.. Orme criticized Sergt. Jones
Judgment in suggesting to Police
man Thompson that he ask the Wit
nesses to salute the American flag
as the mob members demanded.
Seret. Jones toM the board ne
suggested that the Witnesses be re
ouested to salute the flag "in an
effort to prevent trouble and pos
sible bloodshed." He explained that
he did not know at the time Of the
riot that 1t was against the religious
principles of the witnesses to salute
any flag,