Evening star., 1945-09-26
$40 Bill Introduced
To Link Shelton With
Attempted Robbery

A $40 bill was introduced today in
the Alexandria Federal Court trial
of j. Paul Shelton, former Arlington
insurance man, as the Government
sought to prove its charges against
him of attempted bank robbery, kid
naping and assault.
Fourteen-year-old Grace Wad-
lington, who yesterday failed to
identify Shelton as the man who
used her as shield for his getaway
in an attempted holdup of the East
Falls Church Bank January 6, had
turned over the bill to Arlington po-
lice.
FBI results Of fingerprint tests
on the bill are expected to be in
troduced into the trial later today
T. Brooke Howard, defense attor-
ney, attempted to show in early
cross examination of FBI Agent
Don Bird that the bill had passed
through too many hands to be of
use in proving one particular per-
son had handled it.
Fails to Identify Bandit.
Mr.. Howard completed his cross
examination of Miss Wadlington this
morning, and she still failed to iden-
tlfy her abductor, but continued to
maintain that he had a large nose,
which was evident even under the
mask. Miss Wadlington stated that
Arlington police and FBI agents had
shown her several photographs in
Guiding one of Shelton, but that she
had been unable to pick out and
positively identify the man
Capt. Hugh C. Jones, chief of
Arlington County detectives, told
the court Miss Wadlington was un-
able to pick out her abductor in a
lineup of six men, including Shell
ton, at the Arlington County police
station, January 6.
Used Handkerchief.
The detective said he then ordered
the defendant to place a handker-
chief on his face, without instruct
ing any of the others on the stage to
do so. At this point, Capt. Jones
said, Miss Wadlington indicated
Shelton as the man who kidnapped
her.
The three charges facing Shelton
all come under the Federal Banking
Statute. Under this law, conviction
of the kidnapping charge carries q
minimum penalty of 10 years in
prison and a maximum of death.
Doris Cousins, Is, who was with
Miss Wadlington when she was
seized by the bandit, said yesterday
she recalled the man as short and
stocky, and said that he wore a
hat and overcoat.
Manager Testifies.
Alexander H. Barbor, 80-year- -olo
bank manager, related how he
grabbed the bandits pistol and saio
ito hell with it," when told he
was about to be held up in the
bank after its noon closing on Satur-
day. He also failed to identify
Shelton as the intruder, stating
that at the time he thought il
was young fellow" but remem-
bered his wearing light overcoat
Other witnesses called yesterday
by George Humrickhouse, district
attorney, and cross-examined by
Mr.. Howard, were John Cullins, Ar
lington policeman, who attempted
to arrest the bandit at the time Of
the holdup, and John Bethune ano
David Anderson, manager and as
sistant manager of loan company
in the bank building.
Shelton Writes Notes.
Mr.. Cullins, who had a gun when
the bandit got away but was afraid
to shoot for fear of hitting the
Wadlington girl, said the man hao
a large nose, long fingers and ap-
peared to be wearing tan over
coat, brown hat pulled over his
eyes and a handkerchief tied over
the lower part of his face.
During the trial, Shelton appeared
calm and unconcerned, but wrote
constantly on a large pad and fire.
quently drew Mr.. Howard's atten-
ton to notes he had written, ap-
parently questions to be asked the
witness.