Evening star., 1948-12-18
Reactions to Perrell Verdict

Bitter indeed are my own reflections and
those OF most policemen of the District today
as we contemplate the verdict of the Jury
which on December Is freed the self-confessed
rapist OF the wife of one of our brother
omcers. There was little doubt among the ex
perlenced detectives who presented the case in
court that justice would be done and appropri-
ate punishment meted out to the perpetrator
OF this heinous crime against woman of ex-
cellent reputation in our community. Totally
unexpected, and no less shocking was the
verdict by which incalculable harm was done
to the cause of Jaw enforcement in this city.
1t is small wonder that there is widespread
opinion among the men in blue that the cards
are stacked against them in their efforts to
protect the lives and property of their fellow
citizens as we'll as their own loved ones Can
they be blamed for feeling, as Officer johnson
feels, that there exists such a degree of ami
mostly against policemen in this city that it
invades our courts and influences the delibera-
tions OF juries in many instances as they weigh
cases IN which policemen or members OF their
families are involved? Can they be criticized
for holding as needless and futile the supreme
sacrifices of many of their brother officers who
have given their lives in the service of the
people of Washington?
Surely, considering the dark background of
constantly increasing sex crimes in this area.
this jury, In turning loose most dangerous
raplst on technical grounds of most question
able nature, must realize that it has left but
little alternative to the wives ana daughters
OF washington policemen as well as many
oGher decent women who may be unfortunate
enough to become victims of such human
beasts
We have only to look at the tragic and har-
rowing experiences suffered by Officer and Mrs
johnson in this recent case as they sought
justice of their fellow citizens but found none
1t would seem sound advice to the womenfolk
OF Washington policemen, If they were to find
themselves in circumstances similar to those
in the johnson case, that they would profit by
suffering in silence rather than add to their
already bitter portion. Certainly, they know
now what they may expect from some individ-
uals serving on our Washington juries who
for some reason or another, appear deter
mined to mete out a special brand of justicr
for policemen or their loved ones
BROTHER OFFICER.
To the Editor of The Star
If the jurys action, in acquitting the North
Carolina farmer of charge of raping the wife
of Park Policeman, is straw in the wind
as to the type of punishment" to be dealt
such offenders here in our fair Capital of the
World I think we had better remove those
cherished four words from above the portals
to our Supreme Court Building, and look to
God alone to protect our wives and daughters
My heart is as tender and my sympathy as
deep, as any ones, but sincerely feel that for
jury to set scot-free such an inexcusable
deliberate, self-admitted offender Is something
for all of us to view with deep concern.
RUSSELL G. BISHOP.
To the Editor OF The Star:
suppose no one should be surprised at what
happens III Washington, where they keep
desperate criminals for two or three years
before giving them their just deserts
Now We have this Perrell case, where a cap
ital offense had been committed, yet the guilty
party was let off scot-free! How can any
woman be safe in Washington where men who
commit such crimes can escape the penalty?
What set of jurors!
Because the woman in the case could not
open the car to escape from her attacker, does,
that make the crime any the less? When
frightened nearly to death, and thus forced
practiced upon her?
This is another great shame that the CITY
OF Crime-Washington- had heaped upon
her shameful record. This is something for
the citizens Of Washington to be ashamed of
H. BIB.