Evening star., 1946-02-19


Final Argument
In Murder Case
The case against Raymond Con-
nors, charged with the double mur-
der Of Edward Barker and Pany
Casbarian last February %, will 60
to the jury this afternoon in Dis
trict Court.
Connors Is charged with killing
Edward Barker, a car dealer, and
Pany Casbarian, his gin-rummy
partner, in robbery in an auto
mobile trailer used as an Office on
used car lot at Fourteenth and
N streets NV.
Charles B. Murray, assistant
United States attorney, will make
the final argument for the prose
cution after Defense Attorney
James j. Laughlin completes his
closing argument. Mr.. Laughiin,
who had not finished when court
adjourned yesterday was to con-
tinue when court resumed.
Hitz Ends Summation.
William Hitz, who has been as
sisting MIR. Murray during the five
weeks the trial has been before the
court, completed his summation
yesterday afternoon. He empha-
sized there had been no mention
of Connors being at the fights at
Madison Square Garden, New York
on the night of the murders-that
according to Mr.. Laughlin's opening
statement, he was going to prove
that Connors was in his home in
Yonkers with his four children.
Mr.. Laughlin started his summa-
ton with speech on what he de-
scribed as the miscarriage of JUS
tice in the military trial of Mary
Surratt, hanged as a conspirator in
the assassination of Lincoln 80
years ago.
Contrast that trial with this set
ting" Mr.. Laughlin said. Here is
a trial conducted with tranquility
There have been no passions and
prejudiceS raging IN this courtroom. >
Asks Jury a Question.
He then reminded the jurors of
their responsibilities and asked
them:
What is there in this case outside
the testimony of Joseph Vinci?"
Vinci, alleged accomplice of Con-
nors, testified for the prosecution
that he Winch bound up the two
men in the trailer at Connors' orders
and rushed out when he realized
Connors was going to execute them.
Mr.. Laughlin then read the jury
the charge Justice Pine will make
concerning possible rejection of all
testimony of witness who lies about
q material matter.
You all heard Vir1ci testify on
that stand" Mr. Laughlin said,
pointing, that he had been made
no promise. That was a material
matter. And then you all heard
the statement that the Government
had agreed to accept a plea of sec
ond-degree murder from Vinci be-
fore he testified. Maybe he will 60
scot free. He hasn't pleaded yet
Produces Copies of Life.
Mr.. Laughlin produced several
copies Of Life around the date of
February % last. Vinci had testified
that he had bought a copy of the
magazine in New York, read it on
the train. and had gone back to
the trailer after the men were shot
to get it because he feared his fin
ger prints might be on it.
Mr.. Laughlin showed the Jurors
pictures of Mussolini's last days in
power
'Vinci couldn't remember these
on the stand" he reminded them.
He showed them the picture OF
Lauren Bacall, movie actress, sit
ting on an upright piano and Harry
s. Truman, then Vice President
playing it.
"Vinci couldn't remember this
picture" he said.
Inc lawyer asked question he
frequently interposed in his argu-
ment, isn't there something about
this case that hasn't been told"
He attacked the Government
theory that Connors had murdered
Mr.. Barker because he would have
been witness against Connors ir
a stolen car case. Mr.. Laughlin
pointed out that Mr.. Barker was
only one of four persons who were
present when Connors sold the
stolen car to the deceased.
Calls Vinci 'Barrabas."
vinci could have come to Wash.
tngton alone and committed the
crime, the lawyer said, and ito save
himself he is putting it on Connors.
The lawyer then likened the situa.
ton to that which confronted Pom.
titus Plate when, in accordance tt
custom, he allowed the people to re.
lease by acclamation one condemned
man.
"The choice is yours" Mr.. Laugh.
lin said, "Connors or Vinci, the Bar
rabas of his time"