Evening star., 1944-03-16
III. Hartman Slated
To Take Stand Today
In Trial Of Maghan

1t. Earl Hartman of the 7th pre-
cinct, who made the intoxication
charge against Policeman Robert j.
Maghan, jr., last December which
resulted in the latter's suspension
from the police force, was sched-
uled to take the stand today as
civilian trial board resumed a hear
ing Of the case at Municipal Center.
Defense Attorney James j. Laugh
lin has contended that 1t. Hartman
and Maghan, who was acquitted of
the mtoxication charge recently in
Municipal Court, had been bitter
enemies for years"
| Government witnesses yesterday
included Sergt Benjamin R. Camp
bell OF the traffic department, who
did not testify in the Municipal
Court proceedings; Sergt. J. C. Pip
kin, whose name was listed on the
police blotter in connection with
Maghan's arreQA and Policeman
Roy c. Schwab. who was in the
scout car called to the parking lot
where Maghan was picked up.
|
Sergt Campbell testified he was
in the station house where Maghan
was under arrest for about 20 min
utes around 8 am. and that the de-
fendant appeared to be under the
Influence of liquor" When pressed
by defense counsel to state whether
he would have arrested the defend
ant for intoxication if he had seen
him in similar condition on the
street, however, he replied: Il don't
believe I would"
Maghan was taken to the station
between $50 and 7 m. but wasn't
booked until $40 am, according to
testimony.
Sergt. Pipkin precipitated a brief
interruption in the hearing when
he testified he received an efficiency
rating last week.-Mrs. first since
1935-but refused to state what the
rating was on the ground it was
confidential The board ruled that
the question of whether such rat
ings should be revealed would be
taken up later.
Attorney Laughlin explained he
expected to show that officers who
testified in Municipal Court against
Policeman Maghan had received
good efficiency ratings.
Questioned on Other Statement.
Sergt. Pipkin also was questioned
on his part in preparing a formal
statement from another witness,
Louis Elze, which the latter par
TALLY repudiated Monday. Declar-
ing he had typed the statement
from the account given by Mr.. Elze,
the officer maintained that the dis
puted portions were exactly as he
gave 1t, as well as I could take it
down" and that the sense had not
been altered.
Policeman Schwab testified he
saw a whisky bottle in Maghan's
car at the time of his arrest, but
had not included that fact in his
formal statement until 1t. Hart
man requested him to do so. He
explained he had not wanted to
testify against Maghan.
Miss Juliet Bridwell, who had ap-
peared as the Governments first
witness, was recalled to the stand
yesterday for further ross-examina-
ton by defense counsel who oues-
toned her credibility as a witness.
Miss Bridwell was asked if she
remembered being in the Little
Tavern No. IA about two weeks ago
and II she asked the manager 'to
get a man for you" She also was
asked II she had asked the night
manager of the tavern if the coun-
terman would go out with her and
If she had not left the shop arm
In arm" with a soldier.
Miss Bridwell recalled being in the
tavern, but vigorously answered no"
to all the questions. She then quail
ifled her answer by explaining that
she was en- route to her home in
Falls Church and had asked if any
one in the tavern would like lift"
She said she doesn't believe in driv-
ing an empty car when she can
avoid it. She said she had not left
the shop arm in arm" with any one,
however
Denies Being Fined.
Mr.. Laughlin then brought out
the fact that the time of the Incl
dent was about am.
Miss Bridwell also denied she had
been discharged from a restaurant
in which she was working recently.
Miss Bridwell, in her original ap-
pearance, had testified that Maghan
backed his car into hers and drove
through two red lights and a safety
zone shortly before his arrest.
Attorney Paul B. Cromelin is
chairman of the board which in
cludes another attorney, Henry I.
Quinn, and Fred A. Smith, real es-
tate dealer.