Evening star., 1947-10-31
represented the family at the In

represented the family ut the In
quest.
Additional Evidence Received.
mfr. Fitzpatrick informed us by
letter of his appointment and stated
that while he would cooperate with
this Office in making its investigation,
he was going to make his own in
vestigation of the case.
Thus, for about . month, three
separate investigations as to the
death Of John Forrest Bunch and
the facts connected Herewith have
been under way.
In our investigation we had be-
fore US, in addition to the steno-
graphic testimony Of the inquest, the
signed statements OF the witnesses
who testified. We also had addi-
tional statements of witnesses who
did not testify on that occasion. All
of these statements related to the
condition Of Mr.. Bunch at No. 9 pre-
cinct after his arrest and at Gal
linger Hospital after his admission
and as to what transpired while
llC WdS AG DOtIl pldCcS.
Some of this evidence is cumula-
tive and corroborative of the inquest
testimony while, on the other hand,
we now have new and additional evi-
,dence which was not presented at
the inquest.
No Warrant Requested.
1T is to be noted that no warrant
of arrest has been issued or re-
|quested. However. wide publicity has
been given to the matter, which has
undoubtedly resulted in speculation
on the part Of the public as to what
the facts are and whether prosecu-
tive action can and should be taken
Under these circumstances, it seems
to me desirable that the case be
heard fully and heard under condi-
tions where all the witnesses can be
required to reveal publicly and under
oath their entire knowledge Of the
case, as well as all facts and circum-
stances bearing on their own credi-
bility as witnesses. Such disclosure
would be possible only in proceed
ing before the coroner and the coro-
ner's jury. There all witnesses can
be produced and required to give tes-
timony under oath at hearing tc
which the public is admitted.
you are we'll aware of the fact
that I could submit the whole case
to the grand jury. In fact, the Com
missioners Of the District Of Colum-
bia have made this recommendation
to me and understand that Maj
Barrett concurs with them. However
while the grand jury is an investi-
gatory body representing the public
all proceedings before it are private
secret and confidential. Hence, the
general public would not hear or
know what testimony was given by
the various witnesses and would only
be informed Of the final action taken
by the grand jury.
Serious Charges Made.
Charges have been made and re-
peated In this case of such q serious
nature as to reflect not only on the
Police Department and public OH
cials but on the very administration
of Justice itself. If those charges
are true, the public should know 1t
and appropriate action should be
taken to punish those responsible
If those charges are false, it Is
equally important that the public
be informed of that fact.
Accordingly, I feel that the evil
dence now available should be heard
before q body where all parties in
terested may be represented and
where the general public can attend
to learn and ascertain the true facts
of the case. Those of the public
who could not attend could follow
the proceedings in the daily press.