Evening star., 1940-03-09
Two Policemen
Face Bribery
Trial Thursday
H. &. Brodie and
Leo Murray Accused
| Of Protection

A three-man civilian Trial Board
will hear evidence on bribery
charges against Policemen Hubert
E. tSteve) Brodie and Leo Murray,
denoted detective sergeants, at 10
am. next Thursday in the board
room of the District Building.
The charges, filed against the two
yesterday by Supt. of Police Ernest
w. Brown, will be aired before .
board consisting of 10 v. Morgan.
sole member of the Board Of Tax
Appeals, chairman; Assistant Engi-
neer Commissioner Patrick H. Tan
sey and Mrs Agnes K. Mason, MEM
ber of the Alcoholic Beverage Con-
troll Board.
The three we're appointed .
month ago by the District Commits
sioners following withdrawal of an
objection by Senator Byrnes, DEM
crat, of South Carolina to Com
missioner Hazen's reappointment
with the understanding Mr.. Brodie
would be given hearing.
Gaming Laws Assertedly Involved.
The two officers were accused Of
accepting bribe from Carl T. Up
dyke of the 900 block of G street
NV, who attempted ito procure
or tend to procure the failure of the
two to report violations of the
gaming laws"
The alleged transaction for pro-
lection of the establishment, where
numbers and horse-racing bets as
sertedly were taken, occurred on
October IA, the charges stated, one
month before the two were denoted
from the rank of detective sergeants
and stationed at precincts as uni
formed privates.
Five days before their demotion,
Updike was arrested on charges of
setting up a gaming table, possess
sion of numbers slips and operating
lottery. Last Friday he plead ed
guilty and received a suspended
sentence of from one to three years
imprisonment, District Court Justice
Peyton Gordon placing him on pro-
baton.
Brown Fails to Amplify.
Maj. Brown would not enlarge on
the charges and could not state
definitely on what date the alleged
offenses were brought to his at
tention. He was informed of the
alleged bribe-taking by a certain
witness to the transaction, he said,
who would testify at the hearing.
Maj. Brown, at the time Of their
demotion, on November IS, 1899.
merely said it was for the good
Of the service"
Besides the charges of accepting
the bribe from Updyke in front Of
the premises, in the 900 block of G.
street. the two officers were accused
Of failing to report the gaming law
violations at the establishment or
to take proper action themselves.
The charges held that the two ''for
long time prior to October IA well
knew that an unlawful business was
being conducted on the premises. +"
Brodie From South Carolina.
At the time Senator Byrres OBJ
jected to Commissioner Hazen's re-
appointment, it was reported that
Mr.. Brodie, who is from the Sena-
tors State, appealed to him on the
grounds he had been denoted with
out any specific reason being given
After conference between the
Senator. Commissioner Hazen and
others, the objection was withdrawn
with the understanding the police
man would be given a trial.
Assistant Corporation Counsel
Oliver Gasch has been designated
by Corporation Counsel Elwood Sea-
to prosecute the case.
Mr.. Brodie, who has been sta.
toned at No. precinct, and Mr.
Murray, serving at No. II, declined
comment because they had not read
the charges. Both officers have been
on sick leave for several weeks. 50