Evening star., 1949-04-21
Laugh|in' 'sSuit
k'Just a Joke, :
Bowie Declares; S;
Recess Is Token by
Prince Georges Jury
Probing Gambling

IoO'ti9 0u'HDait9
States Attorney A. Gwynn
Bowie Of Prince Georges County
said today he sees mo earthly
reason" for crossing the District
line to accept service on a suit
filed by Attorney James j
Laughlin accusing Mr.. Bowie oi
malicious prosecution and slander
Mr.. Laughlin, at the same. i,
standing pat on his refusal not
to cross the District line into
Maryland to be arrested for
failure to appear last Monday
before the Prince Georges County
grand jury In its gambling in
vestigation.
Brushing of Mr.. Laughlin's
$685. 500 damage suit as "just a
joke" Mr.. Bowie said he is plan
ming to go into certain aspects
of bis gambling investigation
more fpily to be in q better posi-
ton 10 inform the grand jury
when II returns May 2.
Unexpected Recess.
The Prince Georges County
grand jury Unexpectedly asked
for the recess late yesterday. One
court official with SO years serv-
ice said it was the first time In
his memory that a grand jury
recessed before completing Its
work.
The grand jury appeared in a
body before Circuit Court Judge
Charles c. Marbury and Foreman
F. Bowie Addison and told the
court that the grand jury had
good and sufficient reason" to re-
quest the recess.
Mr.. Bowie said his continued in
vestigation of county gambling
was definitely" not the only rea-
son the grand jury requested the
recess. "a.
1t was the grandjury's gambling
investigation that precipitated the
Bowie-Laughlin feud. y
Mr.. Laughlin, during the divorce
trial of John B. (Blackjack Kele-
her, said gambling was wide open
in Prince Georges County. Mr.
Bowie invited Mr.. Laughlin and
his client. Mrs. Anna T. Keleher
to appear before the grand jury
and tell what they knew.
Bowie Denies Statement.
Mr.. Laughlin. in his suit, de-
clared that Mr.. Bowie specifically
asked that nothing be said that
reflected on his administration of
the Office of States attorney"
Mr.. Bowie said that was a Con
temptible, malicious and unfound-
ed lie."
Mr.. Laughlin said he and Mrs.
Keleher waited around the court
house until 1:4o pm. on April
and finally left. Later In the day.
Mr.. Laughing said In his suit.
Mr.. Bowie called him and said:
am In an awfulrspot hare
you know what a mess 1t Is and
Fay's office Omitted States At
torney George Morris Fay) has
me upset. Everybody. seems to be
on my neck. If you will agree to
come out, assure you that you
win be permitted to testify as
soon as you arrive"
Mr.. Bowie said only the last
sentence of that quotation was
true. He gave this version:
II never asked him to come
back a second time because he had
told me he knew nothing to testi-
fy to. I wanted Mrs. Keleher.
The conversation was solely con-
cerned with getting her back.
From what she had told me, she
had facts. At that moment, was
totally unconcerned with Laugh
lin.
Wanted Jury to See Letters.
"FIe did agree to get her back.
He came back with her on April
13 and 7 took him into the grand
jury room although at that time
I honestly felt he had no informa-
ton or facts.
when he went in and testified,
he made certain statements that
changed the picture. He indicated
he had certain letters and docu-
ments In his possession. I felt
the grand jury should see these
things.
"That's why a subpoena was
served on him requiring him to
produce the papers"
Mr.. Laughlin said in his suit
that when the subpoena was
served requiring him to appear
and produce the letters on April
1S, he said to Mr.. Bowie:
''You know well. Mr.. Bowie. that
am here by invitation and there
fore the law is well settled that ]
am immune from process unless ]
fail to leave Marlboro within q
reasonable time"
Attachment Issued.
MIR. Laughlin said Mr.. Bowie
replied. WELL, ! guess you are
right ana In that case we will
take the subpoenas back"
Mr.. Bowie said today that re-
ported conversation was "abso-
lutely untrue and I have plenty Of
witnesses to clear that up"
When MFR. Laughlin failed tc
appear last Monday. Judge Mar.
bury issued an attachment for him
to be brought before the court tc
answer contempt charges.
Mr.. Laughlin charged In his suit
that Mr.. Bowie. acting malicious
ly, wilfully and with an intention
to injure plaintiff falsely repre-
sented to- the court that Mr.
Laughlin had wilfully disobeyed q
valid subpoena.
Three Counts in Suit.
MFR. Iaughlin asked $101, ,000
damages on q count charging
malicious prosecution; $57 500 on