Evening star., 1941-06-03
Waiter Says Eck|und
Planned 10 Get Rid
Of Target Bullets
Court Told He Didn't
Want Them Compared
With 'Sniper' SIues

Herbert Ray. waiter, today told a
Jury in District Court that John Eu-
gene Eklund, on trial charged with
the "sniper killing" of Hylan Nc
elaine, colored, had expressed the
Intention OF digging his target prac-
tice bullets out of tree because he
didn't want any one to compare
them with the ones that killed Nc
elaine.
The defendant, who had sat
placidly throughout a day and a
half of his trial before Justice James
M. Proctor and jury of IL men,
stirred restively at this testimony.
The target practice story was un-
folded by Ray as he told of his asso-
citation with Eklund growing out of
an acquaintance in poolroom on
Pennsylvania avenue. He testified
concerning the same events of which
he said he previously had informed
the police.
Target Shooting Denied.
Ray, on direct examination by
Slldl lCc % IN1 dy dooASSdLb oilAtCo
States attorney, said he had faced
Eklund in the presence of police
with his gtory. Eklund had admit
ted to knowing Ray, the waiter said,
but had denied possessing gun and
had denied the story about target
shooting in nearby Virginia.
Eklund is on trial for the Staying
Of McClaine in Rock Creek Potomac
Parkway near a temporary bridge
over Rock Creek at K street NV.
on October Is. He is also under
indictment in connection with the
"sniper killing" of two other colored
men October g.
Ray said Eklund had talked to
him about the McClaine shooting
saying the suspect had a brown
suit and that Eklund was going to
have his suit cleaned so that no
one could detect powder marks on
1t. He said Eklund had told him
that while in penitentiary he had
been beaten up by a couple of
colored inmates and had an ex-
treme hatred for them" Ray told
of buying 38 special cartridges for
Eklund and said that Eklund had
once tried to dispose of a pair of
canvas shoes which Eklund had
worn so he could walk more softly u
Victims Companion Quizzed.
Mildred Washington, who told her
story yesterday of the Staying of
McClaine as he was accompanying
her home, was ross-examined again
this morning by defense counsel
regarding men she had seen in the
police lineup.
Such rapid progress was made in
the trial with presentation of evi-
dence by many Government wit
nesSes yesterday afternoon that
John w. Fihelly, assistant district
attorney, indicated the trial might
be much shorter than the originally
anticipated two or three weeks.
Girl Identifies Defendant.
The Washington girl, who is ls
and lives at 1928 Virginia avenue
NV. supplied the dramatic moment
of the trial yesterday by walking
from the witness stand and Identify
ing the defendant in court by touch
ing his arm as the man she accuses
of shooting McClaine.
Victims Mother Testifies.
A torn and bloody overcoat, with
one bullet hole surrounded by a
brown powder mark. was identified
as that of the slain man by his
mother, Mrs. Bertha McClaine OF
1921 Thirtieth street NV, and by
DR.. Christopher Murphy, deputy
coroner. who performed the autopsy.
On cross-examination, most wit
nesses admitted it had been a dark
night. Defense counsel pressed the
question of darkness. the distance
from bushes out of which the killer
came and the distance of street
lights.
Cooperating in the defense i,
Leonard p Walsh, associated with
Defense Counsel James r. Kirkland