Evening star., 1946-02-03
Connors, 70 Ask
Lie-Detector
Test for Vinci
Defense Also to Seek
Directed Verdict
In Murder Trial
BY GEORGE KENNEDY

The he-detector test for Joseph
dittle joel Vinci, principal prose-
cution witness in the Barker-Cas-
barian murder trial will be request
ed tomorrow by the defense.
Defense Attorney James j. Laugh
lin said last night he would make
a motion to that effect before JUS
tlce David A. Pine tomorrow, when
the trial of Raymond Connors on
charges of robbing and numbering
Edward Barker, Fourteenth street
used car dealer, and his friend,
Pany Casbarian, last February %
IN an auto-trailer Office on a used
car lot at Fourteenth and N streets
NV, begins its fourth week in
District Court at 10 am.
Reporters who have covered Dis
trlct Court for years do not remem-
Der the lle-detector test having been
used in capital case in this juris-
diction.
Motion for Directed Verdict.
Mr.. Laughlin will also make the
usual motion for a directed verdict
for acquittal when the Government
closes its case, which has taken
three weeks to present, shortly after
the trial resumes.
Vinci, alleged aecomplice of Con-
nors, who was arrested three davs
after the trial started, testified in
a high state of excitement that he
had bound up the two men on Con-
nors' orders and then rushed out
into the night when he realized
that Connors was going to shoot
them.
The lie detector, which first ap-
peared about ten years ago and has
been used with varying results in
criminal cases in Chicago and else
where, registers the emotional re-
sponse to questions.
Vinci Tells of Train Ride.
Vinci's story that he rode back
to New York with Connors on a
Pennsylvania train was detailed
one. Connors is from Yonkers, N. Y;
Vlncl from the Bronx. Vinci swung
to one side, then another, in the
witness chair.
I'VE were in seats that swing
around like this" he said. "Parlor
car isn't it? I was about three seats
away from Connors. Everyonce in
a while I would 60 over to him and
talk to him in reference to what
happened. What will we do if some
one gets on at the next station and
asks us about this?' I asked him.
"Connors said, Shut up, don't be
a baby, you'll be causing suspicion.
Later Connors said, How about
dinner?'
Il said, Ray, 7 don't wanna eat
Ate Big Meal in Diner.
HE said, Come on We went in
to the dining car. He ate big meal
as if nothing had happened, soup
and ham and eggs and two orders
of toast and pie He said, Why
aren't you eating?'
IT said, Ray, I can't eat with ges-
tures). I ordered a cup of coffee. /
I'VE went back to the parlor car
He leaned back in his chair and went
to sleep as if everything was peaches
and cream. We got off att
Thirty-fourth street PENNSYLVANIA
Station, New York; and I drove him
to his girls house.
Confident Under Grilling.
On cross-examination Vinci gained
in confidence. Occasionally his as
sents to questions was, you amt
kiddin'." He began to address the
defendant for confirmation of his
He was reproved by the
court when he shot finger out and
said, "Ain't that right, Ray?"
Assistant United States Attorney
Charles B. Murray's presentation of
his case was delayed by the neces-
sity of contesting defense motions.
On one occasion Justice Pine said
in response to defense request for
a recess for five minutes, Il am
afraid If I grant it, Mr.. Laughlin
will file another notion
II have four in my brief case,
your hon1," said Mr.. Laughlin.
A ruling is expected tomorrow on
Mr.. Laughlin's latest motion.
Now enters the defendant and
says unto the court" the motion
starts, and then requests that the
trailer be returned to the used car
lot at Fourteenth and N streets
NV. and the jury taken there to