Evening star., 1949-04-26
Kicker Testifies
On Gun Attack
In Dice Losses
Witness 'Vogueness
In Scheve Case
Surprises Attorney

Surprises Attorney
The Government professed sur
prise today at the testimony of
one Of its own witnesses as the
District Court trial of Joseph H.
Scheve, alias big Bill Hender-
son." who is accused of gambling
and assault, moved into its Sec
ond day.
Scheve is charged with setting
up gaming table for dice games
in a residence at 2730 Woodley
place NV. and also is accused
of assault with a dangerous
weapon and assault with inteut
to kill Robert E. Kicker, former
Hawaii businessman. who now
lives in Lancaster, Pa. The al
legged assault took place at the
Woodley road place, according to
the charges.
- Three others also are on trial
on gambling charges.
Mr.. Kicker. from the stand yes
terday, accused Scheve of having
dubbed him with a gun and then
swapping the gun at him several
times during an argument last
January at the Woodley place ad-
dress.
Surprised at Vagueness.
Assistant United States Attor-
ney Arthur j. Mclaughlin told the
court today that the vagueness of
the witness on a point of identifi-
cation had surprised him. Harry
e. Liberette, a taxi cab driver, had
testified he was unable to identify
the man said to have snapped a
pistol several times before load
ed magazine fell from the gun.
A statement signed by Mr.. Lib
erette was not admitted in evi-
dence. In this statement soon af-
ter the incident he was quoted as
having seen "a large heavy-set
man" attempt to shoot Mr.. Kicker.
A moment later. it was said, a
magazine from the automatic fell
to the steps at Woodley place.
The prosecutor told Judge Henry
A. Schweinhaut and the jury that
the witness was seen in the court
house corridor yesterday walking
arm -in-arm with Mrs. Herman
Kaden, wife of one of the de-
PENDANTS. The witness denied
that he had discussed the case
with Mrs. kaden.
The other two defendants &C
cused of helping to operate a
crap game at the Woodley place
address, Hyman Rosen. about 40.
of the 1900 block Of sherwood
street NE. and Theodore j.
Scheve, 80, of the $500 block of
Thirty-fourth place Sc, took the
stand in their own behalf and de-
clared that Mr.. Kicker had at
tempted a "shakedoWn.
They said stl1e man threatened
ito make trouble" unless he was
paid $3.50. Rosen explained he
did not report the matter to police
because the man had not threat
ened them with bodily harm.
Tells of Losing $500.
Mr.. Kicker testified yesterday
that he lost $500 in gambling
at the establishment from last
October to January 6. On the
latter date, his gambling activi-
ties at the place ended when he
allegedly was struck on the head
with a pistol by big Joe" the
defendant also snapped the pistol
at Mr.. Kicker. but it failed to fire.
it was testified.
Mr.. Kicker said he was attacked
when he went to the aid Of his
wife. who he said had been pushed
by big joe" Mrs. Kicker. 1t was
testified, had gone to the alleged
gambling establishment to request
refund of some $500 allegedly lost
by her husband.
Says He Was protected"
Mr.. Kicker testified big Joe"
had referred to Mrs. Ricker's
efforts to recover money as a
"shakedown." Mr.. Kicker further
declared that Big Joe" had de-
clared nothing could be done to
him because he paid for "protec-
ton"
Mr.. Kicker has admitted he bor-
rowed most of the money he used
In the gambling from his wife,
according to Mr.. Laughlin.
. Another Government witness
Yesterday was Joseph Garrahan.
1914 Sixteenth street NV. who
told of witnessing the argument
and the assault.
Mr.. Mclaughlin said Mrs. Kicker
has not been located through
subpoena and he does not expect
to have her as a witness.
Mrs. Emma Felstrup, 1914 Six
teenth street NV. an acquaint-
ance of Mrs. Kicker, was to testify
further as a Government witness.