Evening star., 1948-06-15
Coroner's S Jury Clears.
Policeman Who Killed.
Fleeing Prisoner

A Metropolitan Police private to-
day was starting a two-week leave,
after being cleared of blame by a
coroner's jury in the fatal shooting
of a prisoner who, police said, had
tried to escape.
Pvt. Clinton F. Brown, who was
80 yesterday, was exonerated on his
birthday. A six-man jury ruled the
veteran Of five years on the force
was justified in shooting and kill
ing John Jackson, 20, colored labor
er, early Sunday.
The police officer, who was in
charge of No. 2 precincts patrol
wagon, testified he fired two shots,
after Jackson lunged at him with
a knife and then ran after a scufie.
The jury was told by Pvt. Brown,
who lives at 1901 Branch avenue
Sc, that Jackson had been picked
up at Seventh and M streets NV.
on . drunk charge. On the way to
the station, he testified, the pris-
oner was abusive and used pro-
family" directed against the police
department.
Knives Exhibited.
When the patrol wagon pulled into
the precinct garage. said the po-
liceman, Jackson Jumped. out OF
the wagon" at him. He testified the
prisoner reached in his pocket for
a knife and then lunged at him.
Pvt. Brown said that as he re-
treated, his badge was scratched
by the knife. The badge was ex-
hibited at the inquest, as were two
penknives-one which police said
they found near where Jackson fell
and the other which they said was
taken from his body at Freedmen's
Hospital.
The officer said that after firing
one shot at Jackson, who was run
ming away, he fired second Into
The ground" when Pvt. Chester H.
Harmon ran up and called. Don't
shoot Brown-you've already hit
him"
Harmon Had Gun Ready.
Pvt. Harmon testified he was in
his scout car parked near the pre-
cinct garage when I heard the
sound of scuffling feet, ran over,
and saw Jackson brandishing a
knife" Pvt. Harmon said he had
drawn his own gun so he would be
ready to protect his fellow-officer.
More than IS witnesses appeared
at the inquest, which lasted almost
four hours. The jurors took Is
minutes to reach their verdict.
Conflicting testimony as to the
events Immediately proceeding the
fatal shooting was offered by sew
eral witnesses, who said they were
near the scene at the time.
Francis M. Freeman, colored, Of
1919 Marion street NV, said he
was driving his cab past the sta
ton. when he saw man leap from
the back of the patrol wagon and
run, stumbling, across an adjacent
parking lot. He said he saw no
scuff1e.
Pvt. William B. Whitlock, colored,
driver of the precinct patrol wagon,
said. however, he heard" a scufle
at the rear of the vehicle. The
shots had been fired by the time
he reached the back, he testified.
Saw Prisoner Fall.
One of several witnesses to testify
they were standing in front of sol
L street NV, was George Chapelle,
colored, janitor at IT'S Nineteenth
street NV. who said he saw Jack
son running Slowly" across the lot.
The prisoner fell after the second
shot was fired, he said.
Mr.. Chapelle said he saw Pvt.
Brown fire at the retreating figure
Criticism Of Freedmen's Hospital
was expressed by Detective Sergt.
Richard j. Felber, who said he did
not find the second penknife when
he searched Jackson's body. 1t
was found later by an attendant, he
said. but he had great difficulty
in obtaining it. He said he finally
had to call the supervisor before it
was released to him.