The Daily Alaska empire., 1945-03-09
CemmiII Takes Stand In Own Defense Today
 Ali Trial Held in Seattle

DOLLE lN-SEhA \ LE, NshAcii q Lynn J. Gemmill took the stand this morning in his own defense and insisted the money he received from Mrs. Wilkins in Seattle hotel last November was to have been given to Mrs. Ruby HazlewoOd, owner of Sitka house of prOsti- tuition, where Mrs. Wilkins was employed.
 Gemmill testified Mrs. Wilkins was advised of her constitutional rights before she testified regard ing trunk theft and said during the initial conversation at his Ket- chikan office on October 19, Mrs. Wilkins admitted she drove an Army Command car containing the trunk after it had been stolen at the request of two Military Police men soldiers.
 Another girl was involved in the trunk theft, Gemmill said.
 Gemmill said he told Mrs. Will kins he would recommend a sus- pended sentence if she would testify before the Grand Jury and trial regarding the trunk theft, and suggested she discuss his proposal with some attorney. \ GemmiIl said he told Mrs. Will kins if she pleaded guilty, and if he was able to tell the court she made some restitution to Mrs. Hazlewood, it would add to the weight of his recommendation for suspension of sentence. <. ., s<.-.-----. l Gemmill said he told her the bail would be S3,000.
 l Gemmill said he was most anxi- ous to obtain conviction of the soldiers because of the terrific situation" that existed in Sitka due to lootings of businesses by military policemen.
 Gemmill said he formed 2 severe impression of the Alaska Military Police during his Price Administra- tioi travels and that feelings of Sitka citizens were high against the Military Police suspected of serious crimes, particularly burg laries. He said Military Police even followed merchants to their homes when they were transferring funds.
 GemmilI quoted Agent Anderson as saying in Sitka the situation was terrific.
 i There is little likelihood the jury will get the case today. i Lucille Gemmill has not yet ap- peared in the court room. I SEATTLE, March 9-Lynn James Gemmill, United States Attorney for the First Division of Alaska, with headquarters at Juneau, took the stand in his own defense today at his trial here.
 The Government has charged Gemmill with soliciting and accept ing a bribe from Mrs. Cleo Pa tricia Wilkins, former Sitka, Alaska, prostitute, from whom he asked $3,00O and accepted $500.
 Gemmill admits he did receive l,50O from the woman, but main- tains he accepted it as part resti- tuition by her of $10.000 stolen from a trunk in Sitka. belonging to Mrs. Ruby Hazlewood.
 The Government charges Gem mill intended to keep the money himself, and pointed out no re- ceipt was given. However, Reuel Griffin, Fairbanks, Alaska, OPA Field Representative, and Robert L. Tollefson. Gemmill's assistant at- torney in Juneau, both testified they had accepted money in resti- tuition and delayed issuance of re- ceipts until the transaction was completed.
 Laughter swept the courtroom of Federal Judge John G. Bowen when Tollefson, under cross exam nation. said he wouldn't do it" since GemmilPS arrest. Impeachment Thwarted
 The attempt by Defense Attorney Will G. Beardslee to impeach Mrs. Wilkins, the Governments chief witness. was thwarted when Dr. Frank Carroll, former Seattle Health Commissioner, was put on the stand
 1 Beardslee asked Dr. Carroll if he ever had Mrs. Wilkins under quar- antine for a venereal disease. 1 When objection was raised. Judge Bowen asked Beardslee the reason for the query.
 Beardslee said: Yesterday Ms. Wilkins said she could not remem-