Evening star., 1947-02-13
|Dur!ant's Efforts
|ToRecoverGeIns
In Chicago Told
Criminoloeist Says He
Was Careful to Guard
Identity Of Contacts
By w. H. shippen, Jr.

w. 80 ~"PHS ~ss
The efforts OF Col. Jack w. Du-
rant to recover part of the Hesse
crown jewels from tough and
mysterious characters in Chi
cago was related today before
the court-martial board trying
him in connection with the theft
of royal heirlooms from Ger
man castle.
How the 38-year-old defendant
made number of telephone calls
to contacts" whose identity he was
careful to guard at the time of his
capture, was told by Leonard Keeler.
Chicago crininologist and specialist
in the operation Of the lie detector.
Mr.. Keeler was brought into the
case last summer at about the time
that Army investigators arrested
Col. Durant and his bride, former
WAC Capt. Kathleen Nash, In Chi
cago while they were on their
honeymoon. Mrs. Drlrant already
has been convicted in Germany by
a trial board and is awaiting the
result of an appeal from sentence
Of five years.
Mr.. Keeler said that after he was
brought into the case by the provost
marshal generals Office, he asked
Col. Durant If he would take a lie de-
tector test. The colonel, law school
graduate, replied he knew his rights
and would submit to no such pro-
ceeding. In minute or two, how
ever, Col. Durant changed his mind.
1t was said, and explained: "Oh,
come on, give me the test"
MIR. Keeler said he asked Col.
Durant a series of questions on
whether he had committed various
crimes, including jewel theft, and
that the answers were negative. He
then asked Col. Durant If he had
hidden any valuables in Virginia,
Illinois or other States.
II then pointed out to Col Durant
the certain irregularities on the
recording graph" Mr.. Keeler said.
Upon objection Of defense, the
court ruled out for the present any
reference to results of the three
he-detector tests given Col. Durant.
"I told the colonel that his wife
had confessed to the theft of the
Kronberg Castle jewels" Mr.. Keeler
testified. "He replied that this
might be a frameup' and he wished
to talk to his wife"
"He finally suggested to me,
'let's take walk We went to the
corridor outside my Office and the
colonel told me, I know what you
say is true, but I'm in one hell Of a
jam. If you'll let me go alone for
an hour or two I'll bring the jewels
back"
Feared Meeting Men Alone.
The expert said he referred this
request to Army investigators who
were unwilling to allow the suspect
to proceed on the search alone. On
the next day, Col. Durant again was
walking with him in the corridor.
Mr.. Keeler said, and repeated that
he was in trouble and anxious to
get the gems back.
"But I might make Slip" the
colonel was quoted as saying.
These are tough men to get along
with"
The colonel, Mr.. Keeler said,
asked that he 60 along to meet the
men in question.
After that, Col. Durant, Mr..
Keeler and at least one other in
vestigator went to a nearby hotel
lobby and Col. Durant telephoned
from booth to person unknown
to Mr. Keeler. 60
Lets CO." the defendant was
quoted as saying after emerging
from the booth. In the street, Mr..
Keeler said, the colonel suddenly
accused him, of trying to double
cross" him by listening in on the
conversation,
Agreement Is Reported.
They then went to a drug store
selected by Col. Durant and made
a second mysterious phone call. He
reported after this that he had COM
pleted the contact and obtained an
agreement for the return Of the
jewelry. The colonel made subse-
quent phone calls from booths Of
his own selection that afternoon
and the following day, he said.
One Of these, Mr.. Keeler related,
resulted in Col. Durant's being
taken to bar on Monroe street,
where he was called to telephone
by another party unknown to Mr..
Keeler. The suspect was allowed
to take the call and when he re-
turned, Mr.. Keeler testified, he said:
ut looks bad It looks like every
thing is all off. I've done the best
(See DURANT, Page A-4)