Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-09-23
LaughIin, Acquitted,
Is Free 10 Continue
Law Practice Here
Jury Brings in Not Guilty
Verdict in 40 Minutes on
Impeding Justice Charge
BY NORMAN A. KAHL,
Star Staff Correspondent.


BALTIMORE, Sept. 23.--Attor'
ney James L. Laughlin was fret
to continue his practice of law in
Washington today after his acquit-
tai by Federal court jury here last
night on charges of impeding JUS
tice.
The all-male jury brought in It's
verdict Of not guilty on both counts
IN the indictment only 40 minutes
after the case was placed in its
hands. The trial, which began on
September II, consumed 1oh court
days.
Immediately after the jury FORE
man announced the verdict, Mr..
Laughlin asked permission of Judge
John Paul to make brief state
ment.
Thanks Court for Patience.
II would be unwilling to leave this
Jurisdiction, and would consider my
self remiss and subject to censure,
If I didn't tell you Of my apprecia-
ton for your wisdom, understanding
and patience" the attorney said.
Only few persons were in the
courtroom when the jury announced
1t had reached verdict. Earlier in
the day, while the attorneys were
presenting their final arguments, the
courtroom was packed with specta-
tors.
After the verdict was read, Mr..
Laughlin, beaming happily, walked
to the jury box and shook hands
with members Of the jury. He was
also congratulated on his victory by
several attorneys from the mass Sc
dition case In Washington, who had
attended yesterdays sessions and re-
manned with Mr.. Laughlin to hear
the verdict.
Final Argument
Before the case went to the Jury,
Mr.. Laughlin in his final argument
reiterated his earlier charges that
his prosecution was the result of a
conspiracy among certain Govern
ment officials to eliminate him be-
cause of his connection with the
sedltlon case. Mr.. Laughlin was an
attorney in that case until he was
expelled for his attempt to i'm
peach the presiding judge. Chief
Justice Edward c. Eicher of District
Court.
Referring to his own trial here,
Mr.! Laughlin said:
This is the most disgraceful pro-
ceeding ever in our history of GRIM
inal Jurisprudence"
He said that several other persons
had actually admitted wrongdoing
in connection with altering the rec
ords of the State prison farm at
Rayford, Fla, yet I am the only
victim in this case" The Govern
ment had charged that Mr.. Laugh
lin introduced evidence and aft
davits which he knew to be false in
the case Of Hilliard Sanders. later
convicted in connection with the
Hyattsville bank robbery of 194l and
sentenced to 20 years Imprisonment.
Hits Buckley Testimony.
Mr.. Laughlin also attacked the
testimony of M. Edward Buckley,
jr., another Washington attorney,
who testified. for the Government
that Sanders had admitted his
completely in the robbery in Mr..
Laughlin's presence. Mr.. Buckley
had been presented earlier in the
trial as witness for Mr.. Laughlin.
Mr. Laughlin referred to Mr..
Buckley as shark in legal waters"
In all my years of practice, I
have never been accused of coward
ice. My ideas of the practice of law
will never make me a rich man.
1 took the oath as a lawyer, and
have my own ideas of that oath.
want to uphold that oath"
United States District Attorney
Bernard j. Flynn told the jury that
all this talk of persecution is to