Evening star., 1946-11-26
Doctor Named
For Examination
Of Snyder Youth
Psychiotric Tests Due
To Begin Tomorrow;
Boy Is Composed

Asckvil.e Juvenile Court Judge
Alfred d. Noyes today designated
DR.. George H. Preston of Baltimore.
director of the Maryland State
Board Of Mental Hygiene, to make
psychiatric examination of Robert
Whitlock Snyder, IA, who Saturday
told police he had killed his foster
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Ross H.
Snyder, and foster sister, Jane Ann,
IL, at their home near Darnestown,
Md.
DR.. Preston is to name another
doctor to assist him in the examina-
ton. Although the examination is
to begin tomorrow, there was Moth
ing to indicate how long it may
take.
Psychiatric examination for the
youthful former Gordon Junior
High school student was ordered by
Judge Noyes after a closed hearing
in Juvenile Court yesterday.
Boy Regains Composure.
The boy, held in the third floor
Jail of the Rockville jail, today
awaited the examination with COM
posure apparently completely re-
stored. Guards said he had been
whistling in his cell and was talk
ative.
HE says he wants to be law
yer" one of his guards commented.
sHe feels he will go completely free
in this case"
Constant watch is being kept over
the boy against the possibility of
a suicide attempt.
His reported behavior was in sharp
contrast with his near hysteria at
yesterdays hearing before Juvenile
Yesterday before Judge Noyes which
delved into the shotgun slayings
about noon Saturday in the Snyder
home, known as the Naples.
Near Collapse ia Courtroom.
The boy was near collapse when
led from the courtroom Immediately
after Judge Noyes continued the
hearing indefinitely and ordered the
complete mental examination.
The request that further legal
action against the youth be post
poned until the psychiatric exami-
nation is completed was made by
defense counsel James R.. Miller
and John r. Reeves.
Mr.. Reeves, who also is United
States Commissioner, was retained
in the case by 1t. Col. Walter o.
Ulrey, Washington division CON-
mander of the Volunteers Of Amer
lea and president of the American
Prison League.
Prison League Hires Lawyer.
Col. Ulrey said he did not know
young Snyder but asked Mr.. Reeves
to appear at the hearing when it
appeared the boy might not have
legal representation.
"Our mission is to befriend the
friendleSs, and that is our interest
in this case" he explained.
The shearing before Judge Noyes
was on a charge of murder in the
Staying of the boys foster father,
prominent washington attorney.
Formal complaints have not been
filed in the deaths of Mrs. Snyder,
prominent clubwoman, and Jane
Ann.
Present at the hearing were Mrs.
Rhoda Ruddach, sister of Mrs.
Snyder, and Mrs. Jacqueline Carl
son, a niece, both of Brookmont, Md.
Also attending were DR.. William
WEIGH, a physician, and DR.. Mabel
wilkins, a psychiatrist.
Funerals to Be Held Tomorrow.
Funeral services for Mr.. and Mrs.
Snyder and Jane Ann are to be
held at 10 am. tomorrow in the S. H.
Hines funeral chapel, 2901 Four
teenth street NV.
The Rev. Enoch M. Thompson,
rector of the Episcopal Church OF
the Nativity, 1910 Massachusetts,
avenue Sc, will officiate. The
Snyder family attended the church
many years.
Burial will be in Arlington Gene
terry, which is open to them because
of Mr.. Snyder's Army service in
World War I.
A knights Commandery service is
to be conducted at 8 o'clock tonight
also in the Hines chapel, for Mr..
Snyder. He was active in Masonry
for 20 years and was immediate past
right eminent grand commander OF
the Grand Commandery, Knights
Templar. of the District of Columbia.