Evening star., 1948-05-27

WuSI Dc VVII9IueIcu
By Jury, Keech Rules
Justice Richmond B. Keech rulet
today that the jury in the Distric
Court murder trial of George A. anc
Lawrence J. Garner must pass or
confessions police obtained March
from the brothers.
Justice Keech ruled after listening
to police denials Of any brutality
toward the Garners. He also heart
Lawrence's claim that he was hi
by policemen at headquarters during
questioning and District Jail
physicians testimony that he foune
bruises on Lawrence's body aftel
police questioning.
The defense fought to exclude
the confessions, contending they
we're obtained by beating Lawrence
George, Is, lives in the first bloch
Of Hanover street NV, and Law.
renee, 23, in the 2100 block OF I
street NV. They are colored.
The brothers are on trial in the
fatal shooting Of Howard Jones, 81
colored, 400 block of Irving street
NV, on February 81 in the vicin-
ity of Second and I streets Sc.
Detective Testifies.
Detective Sergt, John L. Sullivan
attached to the special homicile
squad, Metropolitan Police Depart
ment, told Justice Keech this morn
ing, with the jury absent, that
George said Lawrence shot Mr.
Jones, a taxi driver. ..
The detective testified George said
Lawrence did this because he needed
money for room rent. Mr.. Sullivan
denied beating or striking the de-
PENDANTS or seeing anybody do it.
Mr.. Sullivan said George first gave
a written confession, and he 1den'
tilted it in court. The detective like
wise identified one he said was Sc
cured from Lawrence.
Keech Calls Policemen.
At the request of the defense, JUS
tice Keech called into the room q
number of policemen. Lawrence
standing up in court, identified De-
tective Sergt. Dan B. Kennedy
and Detective Sergt. Nunzio Bonac-
corsy as having hit him at police
headquarters, while the confession
was being secured from him. The
defendant previously had said 1t
Edgar E. Scott, head Of the robbery
squad, Police Department, had hit
him.
On the witness stand this morn
ing, 1t. Scott denied that he struck
the defendant or had seen any one
do this at police headquarters. The
lieutenant told Justice Keech that
Lawrence advised him of shooting
Mr.. Jones, but claimed 1t was accl-
dental. According to the lieuten-
ants testimony, Lawrence said ne
fell in a scuffle and the gun went
off.
1t. Scott said both men showed
the police the entire scene and de-
scribed the entire crime to them. He
declared the two defendants aided
police in securing Mr.. Jones pocket
book and change carrier from q
sewer at Sixth street and Washing
ton drive in the Mall, where they
had thrown them.
Jail Physician Testifies.
~ Martin T, Cdnnon. District
iail physician, testified he examined
both brothers March 4. He found
Lawrence had bruises about his
body. a confusion behind the right
ear. tenderness in the left groin, and
marks below the right shoulder
Lawrence claims he got these IN the
police beating at headquarters.
Cross-examined by Assistant Unit
ed States Attorney Arthur ]. NC
Laughlin, DR.. Cannon said that
there were no marks on the defend
ants faces, and none that could be
seen without taking of the clothes
In response to a question by Mr.
MCLAUGHLIN, DR.. Cannon said ne did
not know Lawrence had been IN a
fight with q taxi driver. ..- -,
Lawrence took the witness stand
yesterday afternoon, with the jury
out Of the courtroom, as the de-
fense sought to have the purported
confession" ruled out. The defense
contends George is Of unsound
mind, although the police say they
obtained a confession from him also.
Shows Confession.
Mr.. Mclaughlin showed the al
legged confession to Lawrence, who
said the signature on it was not his.
He denied he had even seen the cab
driver on the night of the murder.
Lawrence said Maj. Robert j.
Barrett, police superintendent, went
into a huddle with other policemen
at headquarters before he was taken
to another room and beaten. Police
officers have denied beating the two
men.
Edward ]. Garner, ST., father OF
the accused, testified when he saw
Lawrence at police headquarters he
was crying, had bruises on his arm
and a red spot on his cheek. George,
he said, sat chewing gum as II MOTH
ing had happened and he could see
nothing wrong physically.
Mary Ann Green, colored, Of the