Evening star., 1947-10-25
ssTHE EVENING STAR, Washington, D. c.
as.
Gaming Prober!
Prepare 10 Hear
18Next Week
SeheeIe Reported
Seeking Relief
From Penalties

At least 1S more witnesses-prin-
cipally persons officially connected
with the Arlington County govern
nent-will testify next week before
q grand jury investigating charges
that professional gamblers have a
link with the Arlington police.
The grand jury recessed for the
week end at 6:23 pm. yesterday after
requesting that a dozen additional
witnesses be summoned to appear
Monday. OF these, II are police
men.
While the Circuit Court jury was
In the third day of its investigation,
reports circulated in Arlington
Courthouse that Russell (Peanuts)
Scheele would seek relief from the
penalty imposed on him in County
Court yesterday by Trial Judge
Hugh Reid.
Scheele Sentenced.
Scheele, who was arrested a week
before at his home, 2716 North Nine
teenth street. Arlington, on charges
of gaming law violations, was SEN
fenced to a fve-month Jail term and
fines totaling $3.50. He pleaded
guilty to charges of accepting horse
racing bets and handling numbers
lottery tickets.
Homer Thomas, his attorney, Told
reporters that he would decide next
week whether to appeal Judge
Reds verdict, or ask that the SEN
tence be suspended or ask that
6cheele be turned over to the
county probation officer. If an ap-
peal is taken, Mr.. Thomas said, the
defendant would change his plea to
mot guilty" and contend the pen
atty imposed is excessive.
In passing sentence, Judge Reid
adopted recommendation of Com
monwealth's Attorney Lawrence
Douglas for a term in jail, without
suspension. Citing testimony by
Police Chief Harry woodward, the
prosecutor described Scheele as a
''big time" operator who ought to be
punished as we'll as fined.
Judge Reid gave Scheele the
maximum for taking the horse rae
ing bets-90 days and $500 fine. On
the lottery charge the penalty was
60 days and $3.50 fine, against a pos
sible sentence of one year in Jail
and $500 fine.
Raid Is Described.
Chief woodward said the raiding
party found very little evidence of
numbers" operations but abundant
evidence of bookmaking The Vir-
ginia statute on bookmaking makes
no provision for condscation of
money and equipment taken in
such raids. whereas the numbers
statute permits conflscation. The
police found more than $2,500 in
cash and checks at Scheele's home
The bookmaking statute provides
that an informant may collect one
fourth of any fine imposed upon
convicted persons. w. r. Smith
former policeman who is listed as
the informant in this case, said
however, that he did not intend to
request the $125 to which he is
entitled. s
One of three witnesses summoned
by the grand jury yesterday was
submitted to immediate examina-
ton, ahead of many called earlier.
He was James j. Scott, a former
traffic officer on the Arlington police
force who is now safety director for
the Arnold Bus Lines. Also sum-
moned yesterday were Henry Sutton
colored, who gave his occupation as
painter, and William E. Thompson
a retired Navy yard worker.
woodward Also Called.
Witnesses previously called who
have not yet testified are Police
Chief woodward, Commemorative
Attorney Douglas, Detective Chief
Hugh Jones, Police Capt. Ernest
Miller, Thompson and Sutton.
The policemen included in yester-
days call are Sergts. Lynn Smith
and T. w. Frederick, and Pvts. Viii.
liam S. Fowler, William West, H. S
Willett, Harvey Barnett, William
Fawver, A. E. Bayliss, Walter Kadel
George Coppage and H. E. Mason
The name of the twelfth man was
given only as Mitchell"