Evening star., 1946-04-12
Gill
Continued From First Page)

Jill L II OF dSN.t
break, was named at the hearing as
the man who delivered messages for
the prisoner.
Mr.. Barrett also disclosed that it
was Mr.. Huff, not Mr.. Gill, who gave
instructions when the police went
to the Jail on December 2 TO con-
duct a search that they should go
through the courtyard instead Of
the east entrance.
Yesterday, Mr.. Barrett said Mr.
Gill kept him waiting in the court
yard for II minutes.
The detective chief asserted that
he did not hold Mr.. Gill responsible
for the April 3 escapes of two con-
victeds murderers from the Jail,
either directly or indirectly.
Disclaims Bias Against Gill.
Did you testify before a Subcom-
mittee of the House District Com
mittee relating or connecting Mr.
Gin with any kind of responsibility
for the April escape?" asked Mr
Wilson.
MOI" Mr. Barrett said emphatic
ally.
Insisting that he was not biased
against Mr. Gill, Mr.. Barrett. who
was called by counsel for the Board
of Public Welfare. said he did not
want to testify against Nh Gill and
wanted the Police Department to
stay out of the case.
His testimony today disclosed that
Mr.. Huff was in the room when the
late Col. Edward J. Kelly, then
police chief, issued orders for a sur
prise inspection of the District Jail.
The penal superintendent was not
told that the police were coming
he said.
Search Followed Escape.
The search was ordered follow
ing the escape of five prisoners from
the Jail November "a. Mr.. Gill was
suspended by the Welfare Board
December 6.
When 100 police arrived unan-
nounced at the Jail on a Monday
night, Mr.. Huff and Mr.. Gill "hac
some words" Mr.. Barrett testified
He said Mr.. Huff then told them tC
60 to the other gate, where they
waited until they were admitted.
Explaining the delay in admitting
police, Mr.. Gill said he suggested t
Mr.. Huff the TRUSTEES first be cleared
from Jail corridors so that they coulo
not tip off prisoners in the cells thai
the search was under way. He sale
he also advised taking all prisoner:
from their cells and lining them ur
so they could not flush any contra
band down their toilets.
Says Huff Acquiesced.
"Mr. Huff listened and acquiesced
This is the first time that any one
has suggested any delay OF difficulty
-four months after the fact" MI
Gill declared
The witness was called for queS-
tioning on whether MI Gill gave
him a key to the attic above eel
block No. that night. The de
tective chief was told by Mr. Gil
that an engineer had the key anc
that he was in Maryland, he said.
Mr.. Glll said yesterday that MI
Barrett asked for a key to a base
ment room. not the attic.
Jail Engineer Testifies.
Recalled TO the stand by the de
fenss, Robert Sherwood, jail engi
neer, said he was at the jail tn
night of the police shakedown ant
never was asked for a key to tn
attic. Mr. Gill said that the engi
neer opened many doors for tn
police who were aware of hi
identity. Therefore, he continued
he could not have told Inspecto
Barrett that the engineer who ha
the key to the attic was in Mary
land.
Mr.. Barrett asked for the key t
two basement rooms and was toll
that Fred Scott. property clerk, VIII
had the key would be called fror
his home IN Maryland, Mr.. Gil
explained.
Mr.. Scott then took the stand an
reported that he arrived at the ia
shortly before midnight and the
told the captain of the guard tha
a complete duplicate set of keys t
the Jail was in vault.
In his closing argument, ASsistan
Corporation Council Chester
Gray. representing the Welfar