Evening star., 1948-01-13
ILaughIin GriIIs Fay
lon Cross-Examination
In First Day Of Trial

In First Day Of Trial
United States Attorney George
Morris Fay underwent a vigorous
cross-examination today in District
Court by James ]. Laughlin, CO.
defendant with DR.. Henry L. Peck
ham, jr., in criminal abortion case.
Mr.. Fay was the first witness be-
fore the jury of ten men and two
women in Chief Justice Bolitha j.
Laws court. The courtroom was
almost filled to capacity.
Mr.. Fay testified that last July
Mr.. Laughlin came to him and told
him he had knowledge of an abor-
ton case and that he mentioned
DR.. Peckham.
The Government charges that Mr.
Laughlin, as accessory, and DR.
Peckham, Southeast Washington
physician, were involved in an abor-
ton on Mrs. Esther Hobbs, the for
mer Miss Esther Pickard, whose age
is given as about "a. She was an
Agriculture Department employe
here at the time, but since has
moved to Raleigh, N. c.
Questioned About Visit.
On cross-examination, Mr.. Laugh
lin went back over the circum-
stances of that visit and sought to
recall to Mr.. Fay the details OF
their conversation. Mr.. Laughlin
asked.
"At that time did I not tell you
had confidence in you and wanted
you to make good as district attor-
ney as the District) Bar Associa-
ton had opposed you by a vote OF
to l on the ground you were un-
ftp"
Mr.. Fay's answer was that he re-
called only that Mr.. Laughlin had
said he wanted Mr.. Fay to make
good in the position to which ne
had been appointed.
Mr.. Laughlin also sought to have
Mr.. Fay confirm that Mr.. Laughlin
had mentioned two other doctors in
addition to DR.. Peckham in connec-
ton with the abortion case he had
reported. Mr.. Fay said his only
recollection was of one doctor.
Refers to Connors Case.
| Mr.. Laughlin brought in the case
of James j. Connors, a client of Mr.
Laughlin, who was acquitted Of the
murder of Edward Barker and Pany
rBasbarian in February, 1945.
In a long question which the court
did not permit Mr.. Fay to answer
Mr.. Laughlin asked whether or moi
he had told Mr.. Fay he wanted the
abortion case investigated without
prejudice because of the Connors
case.
Did I not say I wanted no scan
dal to your office?" Mr. Laughlir
asked, and went on to say there was
an Army lieutenant in the District
Jail and that his car had been driver
by an assistant in Mr.. Fay's Office
and that Mr.. Fay was passenger
In the same question, Mr.. Laugh.
lin said the lieutenant wanted tt
bring suit against Mr.. Fay.
Charges Police Malice.
Mr.. Laughlin sought to prove thai
the police had i'll feelings toware
him as result of the Connors case
He then asked whether Homicide
Squad 1t. Edward Scott had beer
promoted on account of his worl
in the abortion case. 1t. Scott, who
testified, denied this and said h,
had been promoted because he wa!
first on the civil service list. ..t
Miss Pickard, who willsbe the chic
Government witness against Mr.
Laughlin and DR.. Peckham, wa.
expected to take the stand latel
today.
Charles B. Murray, assistant
United States attorney directing thu
prosecution, said yesterday the cast
had its inception in a complaint tt
Mr.. Fay by Mr.. Laughlin.
"Mr Laughlin went to the United
States attorney, Mr.. Fay, in July
and TOLD him he had information
about an abortion performed by DR.
Peckham," Mr.. Murray said in hi.
opening statement to the jury.
Laughlin Denies Making Charge.
Mr.. Laughlin, in his statement tt
the jury in his own behalf, denied
he had made such charge against
DR.. Peckham. He also indicated he
was the target of 'shakedown.
Mr.. Murray said he expects tt
call or 10 witnesses. Mr.. Laughlir
ard H. Mason WEIGH, who represents
DR.. Peckham, said the witnesse!
they would call depend upon thu
Government case.
Among the other witnesses wht
may be summoned are 1t. Scott
who, as a detective sergeant, inves.
tigated the case; DR.. Richard M
Rosenberg, deputy coroner; Mrs
Irma Petrain, a nurse, of 2215 F
street NV; Detective Sergt. George
Cooke of the homicide squad, ane
employees of the Hotel Stevens o
Chicago and the Hotel Roosevelt O
New Orleans.
It was indicated the defense ma,
call Police Supt. Robert j. Barrett
Chief of Detectives Floyd Truscott
Mr.. Murray and others. Defens'
subpoenas for several newspaper re-
porters also have been issued.
/ $500 Allegedly Paid.
Mr.. Murray, in his address to tn
jury, said the Government intend
to prove Mr.. Laughlin was respon
sible for Miss Pickard's pregnanc,
and that he paid $500 for the alleget
abortion.