Evening star., 1947-05-27
Harris Version
OF Kelly Staying
Read al Trial
Signed Statement
Confesses Firing
OF FotuI Bullet

A signed statement In which Shir-
ley Harris, 23, colored, admitted
firing the fatal shot was read today
to a District Court jury hearing the
case Of three men charged with the
murder Of Frank G. Kelly last
March II.
Assistant United States Attorney
Edward Molenof said the Govern
ment would rest its case later In the
day after testimony by Inspector
John II. Fowler ballistics expert.
In the statement, obtained from
Harris by police shortly after his
arrest, the defendant told OF having
encountered the 56-year -old victim
on Eleventh street NV, near Euclid
street. Joe M. Gray, 10, and Her
bert H. Hall, 18, both coiored, the
other defendants, were with Harris
at the time, he related.
Decided to Hold Him Up.
Joe said, There comes a man
drunk: let's stick him up" the
statement declared.
tMedical testimony earlier In
the trial established Mr.. Kelly
had not been drinking. The EN-
ploye of United District Engi-
neer's Office had left Central
High School after attending q
parents meeting)
Harris and Gray accosted Mr..
Kelly, and Harris ordered him to
stick 'em up," 1t continued.
Joe went to 60 into the mans
pockets and the man showed joe"
Harris added. He showed him into
me. He swung and tried to run, and
the gun went of"
Harris stated Hall was across the
street temporarily at the time. He
said all three fled Immediately, and
declared he did not know Mr.. Kelly
had been shot.
s 81 didn't have no intentions OF
killing the man. he stated.
Denies Warning Companion.
Harris named Gray as the member
Of the trio who suggested the holdup
attempt.
He admitted he gave instructions
for disposal of the revolver and
remaining bullets In a sewer but
denied warning the other two
against talking about the incident.
The statements of the other two
men berig tried on first-degree
murder indictments were read to
the jury yesterday over objections
of defense counsel. Both named
Harris as the owner of the gun and
stated the shooting occurred during
"a holdup attempt.
Fled on Hearing Slot.
In his statement, Hall said he
was approaching the scene from
across the street when he heard the
shot and fled. The three met q
few minutes later and Harris gave
him the gun and remaining bullets
and told him to dispose Of them In
a sewer, Hall related.
Gray's statement told of talk
among the three as to use of the
revolver.
Harris said he was going to get
some money with It," according to
Gray. He accompanied Harris and
Hall, thinking they might be plan
ming to sell the gun, he added.
Herbert said, DO you know any
stores we can rob7' or something
like that" the statement continued.
Gray said the others suggested
the holdup of man they en-
countered on Eleventh street who
proved to be Mr.. Kelly.
Claim Threats by Harris.
"I said. There's too much light;
let's CO. Gray declared.
In their statements, both Hall and
Gray charged Harris threatened
them with violence If they told po-
lice anything of the incident. Both
also declared they heard the gun
report as the intended holdup victim
was several PAGES from Harris,
running south on Eleventh street.
The defense claimed all three
statements were obtained by police
through third-degree methods,
threats and denial of food to the
defendants until they had signed
them. Justice Alexander Holtzon
held these charges were not sub
stantiated and ruled the statements
were voluntary.
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