Evening star., 1949-05-20
'CopIon Judge Forbid!
Palmer 10 Make Any
Reference 10 Fine

JlCSt ALBEIT L. REEVES bD1Es
Sternly forbade Defense Attorney
Archibald Palmer 10 make any
further reference 10 the 500 con-
tempt OF court fine he imposed OF
the lawyer yesterday at the es-
pionage trial of Judith Coplon.
The irrepressible lawyer sought
TO review the contempt citation as
the trial resumed but Judge Reeves
curtly ordered:
We are not going into that
Now did you hear what I said
Very well, Your Honor. Mr.
Palmer replied. Il just want TO
note an exception"
Palmer Shouts Objection.
A few moments later. Mr.. Palmer
shouted that the two Government
prosecutors. John NJ, Kelley, jr,
and Raymond P Whearty. were
making objections simultaneously
Some of the trouble between
the court and myself" Mr.
Palmer began.
There's no trouble and ! want
you TO get on with your case,
Judge Reeves interrupted.
But they keep bobbing up and
down continuously" Mr.. Palmer
continued unabashed, and / want
you 10 tell them that only one
Government lawyer can make
objections.
Judge Instructs Prosecutors.
Judge Reeves instructed the
prosecutors TO refrain from max
ing objections simultaneously.
Before the trial resumed today
Mr.. Palmer said the 500 con-
tempt fine would not change his
courtroom tactics. Palmer de-
clared.
Mr.. Palmer said he would con-
tinue his exhaustive crosS-exami-
nation Of prosecution witnesses
because that's the only way
know to defend this girl"
Judge Reeves warned Mr.. Pal
mer that additional contempt OF
court citations would be forthcom-
ing unless you change your
methods
Payment Must Wait.
I'm not going to put up with
any more of your nonsense,
snapped the white-haired juris'
as he slapped the fine on the
lawyer at the conclusion OF yes
terday's session.
Judge Reeves ruled that the
fine cannot be paid until the con-
clusion of the trial. although Mr.
Palmer offered to do so imme-
diately.
Thomas H. Zoeller, special agent
for the FBI, who was being cross
examined by Mr.. Palmer when the
contempt fine was imposed yester-
day, completed his testimony this
morning.
Mr.. Zoeller had told of watch
ing Miss Coplon walk along the
east side of Broadway en- route te
a rendezvous with Valentine A
Gubitchev, a Russian engineer, or
the night of March 4.
Palmer Contradicts Agent.
Mr.. Palmer told Mr.. Zoeller that
he had testified earlier that the
girl was walking on the west side
of the street.
He did not say west and you
know he did not" said Judge
Reeves. When the defense lawyer
started to expostulate that he had
made a mistake" Judge Reeves
patience snapped and he said -.
You must not make those
statements. Now listen. I'm not
going to put up with any more OF
your nonsense"
Special Agent John r. Murphy
jr.. followed Mr.. Zoeller to the
witness stand today to continue
the story of how Miss Coplon and
Gubitchev were shadowed from
Uptown New York to the street
In Greenwich Village where they
were arrested.
After meeting at l90th street
and Broadway, Mr.. Murphy testi-
fed Miss Coplon and the Russian
engineer separated and rode on
different subway cars to Times
Square. Miss Coplon was walk
ing ahead of Gubitchev. Mr.. Muir
ply related, when the Russian
suddenly broke into a run and
passed her. She also began run
ming and both of them jumped
aboard a downtown bus. He OBJ
tanned the number of the bus, Mr.
Murphy said. and FBI radio cars
were called to follow it.
Chief Prosecutor John M. Kel-
ley. jr., said that If Mr.. Palmer
curtails his cross-examination o1
Government witnesses the prose
cution may be able to complete
it's case by the middle of next
unnk