Evening star., 1948-10-15
Murder Inquiry
By Grand Jury
Due in Few DAYS
Two Are Accused
Of Killing Druggist
During HoIdup

Murder charges against two men
accused of the Tuesday holdup slay-
ing of a Southwest Washington
druggist win go before the grand
jury within the next few days" the
Metropolitan Police Department
said today.
The accused are Lawrence Good
all. "a, colored, of the 400 block of
Oakdale place NV, and Edward
Jackson, Jr.. also "a and colored, of
the 300 block of Dixon court S.W.
A coroner's jury ordered the two
held for grand jury action yester-
day after hearing Goodall deny par
ticlpation in the Staying and charge
that his sobbing companion was
lying"
Goodall, composed and calm in
contrast to Jackson's uncontrolled
sobs. asked to be allowed to testify
before the jury in yesterdays in
quest. A person charged with mur-
der is not required to testify in such
an action and it is seldom that one
does.
Denies Owning Gun.
He denied ownership of the As
caliber pistol which police say was
the weapon which killed Nathaniel
johnson. 53-year-old colored drug
gist, of 600 Third street S.W., even
in the face of testimony on how he
purportedly acquired it.
Scoring what police say was Jack
sons confession that he was the
lookout and Goodall the trigger
man." Goodall told the inquest "the
reason he is crying is about the in
justice he is doing to me and to
himself by lying about this incident.
Il never bought gum had no
need for a gun," he said.
Goodall also said jackson was
crying "over what they have en-
ticed him to say" He accused
Jackson of having a criminal re-
cord known all over the United
States
Police records here show Goodall
has been arrested Is times since
1887 on charges ranging from
carrying a deadly weapon to assault
and attempted robbery. Jacksons
record shows nine arrests dating
back to 1899, including charges of
assault with a deadly weapon and
receiving stolen property.
Tells of Ballistics.
Sergt George w. Cook of the
police homicide squad, testified that
Federal Bureau of Investigation tests
indicated the bullet which killed the
druggist came from the As caliber
gun which they charge Goodall
bought after Sunday night
gambling session.
John Craig, colored. Of the 300
block of Dixon court S.W.. told the
coroner's jury that. Goodall bought
the gun for $50 after the game at
Craig's home.
Another witness, Miss Thelma
Loretta Lewis, also colored, of the
1900 block of Seventh street S.W.,
testified she was with Goodau Sum
day and witnessed his payment Of
SIT on the weapon.
The pistol was found in shrubbery
in an alley at the rear of the 1900
block of Second street S.W., accord
ing to the testimony of Detective
Robert J. Reed. He said it con-
tanned three unfired cartridges.
Asked to Keep Pistol.
According to Jackson's confession,
Goodall handed him the gun after
the robbery attempt and asked him
to keep it. Jackson said he went
home, told his wife Goodall had shot
a man and asked her to hide the
gun.
He quoted Goodall as saying the
druggist was fumbling below the
counter to shoot me" after jackson
had asked him why he fired.
No money was taken in the drug
store.
Capt. Robert v. Murray, acting
chief of detectives, and 1t. Jeremiah
Flaherty of the homicide squad, had
high tribute for six policemen for
their investigation in the case. He
named Detective Sergts. Cook, Rich
ard Felber; Pvts. Robert J. Reed and
M. E. Washington, who recovered
the weapon, and Pvts. Norman GRAY
and Alfred Corfie1d, who arrested
Jackson at his home six hours after