Evening star., 1944-09-11
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Rosennldn 10
Baltimore Trial
Defends Self Before
Jury on Charge Of
Impeding Justice
BY NORMAN A. KAHL,
Star Staff Correspondent.

0y NOhMAN "A. AAHI.
Star Staff Correspondent.
BALTIMORE, Sept. ia charge
that Judge Samuel Rosenman, q
White House adviser, dictated the
prosecution of James j. Laughlin
Washington attorney, accused of i'm
peding justice, was made today be-
fore jury Of IL men in Federal
Court here by the attorney, acting
in his own defense.
Mr.. Laughlin alleged that an "un-
holy conspiracy against me" was the
result of his earlier participation in
the mass sedition trial in WASH
ington.
This red line of corruption runs
right through the White House" +"
the attorney told the jury in his
opening statement. He said that
agents Of the Federal Bureau of In
vestigation went to see prisoners in
Federal penitentaries and told them
that Samuel Rosenman of the
White House wanted me out of the
way, and that If they would testify
against me they would be out Of
prison in a few months"
Filings Charge Against Flynn.
The defendant also charged that
United States Attorney Bernard j.
Flynn docs only what he is told,
and that his direction came from
Rosenman at the White House be-
cause of my participation in the
sedition case" Mr.. Laughlin re-
vealed that he had entered the Sedi-
ton case as an attorney for one of
the defendants at the request of
Senator LANCER. Republican, OF
North Dakota, who sought his aid,
Mr.. Laughlin said, because the man
was pennileSs.
The Washington attorney was
eliminated from the sedition case
because he sought impeachment of
the presiding judge, Chief Justice
Edward C. Eicher.
In detailing what his defense
would be in the present case, Mr..
Laughlin said, there was great
feeling directed at this defendant"
during the course of investigations
by the United States attorney S
Office and members of the FBI.
Mr.. Laughlin is charged with hav-
ing knowingly produced false testi-
mony during the trial of Hilliard
Sanders, now serving a 20-year
term on charge of participating
IN the armed robbery of messengers
Of the Prince Georges County Bank
& Trust Co. in Hyattsville in Sep
tember, 1941. According to the
Government, Mr.. Laughlin pre-
sented testimony and affidavits
tending to show that Sanders was
a visitor at the Florida State Prison
Farm on the day of the robbery.
Accepted" Sanders Statement.
"The statement of Sanders was
accepted by this defendant in good
faith," Mr.. Laughlin told the jury.
He said that Sanders has stead
fastly maintained that he was
actually at the prison farm on that
day and that he was innocent of
any part In the robbery.
Mr.. Laughlin said he visited the
Florida prison farm and examined
the records which showed Sanders
had been a visitor on the day in
question. He said the superinten-
dent Of the farm recalled Sanders
had visited the place on three oc-
casions during the period in which
the Hyattsville robbery took place
The Washington attorney told the
jury that the Hyattsville case &C.
tually was solved by Robert Mag
han, a Washington police officer.
1T should be pointed out" he
added, that the FBI overlooked the
most important phases of the case.
Flynn Details Charges.
Mr.. Flynn, addressing the Jury,
said the Government would show
that when Mr.. Laughlin introduced
testimony concerning the Florida
visit, he knew it too be incorrect.
He knew the records were to be
changed so he would have a defense
for his client" the prosecutor de-
clared. He said the superintendent
OF the prison was fooled and de-
ceived" by the changing of the rec
|ords and by conversations with in
mates. Sanders defense. he said,
was purely trumped-up thing, en-
tirely false, for the purpose of oh.
structing justice"
The jury was sworn in 40 minutes
after court opened.
Federal Judge John Paul, Harris
onburg, Va, is hearing the case.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Laughlin filed q
petition with the court asking that
Mr.. Flynn and several Jail officials be
held in contempt of court for hold.
ing six defense witnesses in place.
OF confinement other than the
Baltimore City Jail.
Mr.. Laughlin said that Sanders
Kenneth Palmer and George Pea
body, all brought from the Atlanta
Federal Penitentiary; Robert Noble
brought from the District Jail, ane
Frank j. Kane and William P
Croswhite, formerly of the Atlants
prison, are being held in the Mary.
land State Penitentiary here.
In his petition Mr.. Laughlir
charged that these witnesses have
been placed in the punishment ware
and that Croswhite and Kane had
been subjected to threats and
abuses" on the part Of guards when
they objected to their confinement
in the State Penitentiary.
Laughlin Request Rejected.
Mr.. Laughlin's petition asked that
besides Mr.. Flynn, the wardens OF
the Baltimore City Jail and of the
State Penitentiary as well as the
United States marshal be directed to
show cause why they should not be
cited for contempt.
Judge Paul rejected a request by
the defendant that the witnesses be
brought to the courtroom from day
to day during the proceedings.
THE character of these witnesses
Is such that you must realize that
some care must be taken as to their
custody" the jurist said.
Il don't think it would be wise