Evening star., 1949-02-09

Verdict
.ForEdwards
Defense Once Again
Disovows Confession
In Glen Burnie Case
By w. H. Shippen, Jr.
Star Staff Correspondent


Star Staff Correspondent
BALTIMORE, Feb. ga first
degree murder conviction for
Thomas A. Edwards was demanded
today in closing arguments at his
trial on charges that he shot to
death a young Glen Burnie couple
while they were parked in an
automobile last September II.
If convicted of first t-degree mur-
der, Edwards faces hanging or
life imprisonment. The court also
could acquit him or convict him
of second-degree murder or man
slaughter.
Denying that Edwards was an
"easy-going, happy-go-lucky char
acter," States Attorney James p.
Morton declared that the 23-year-
old colored defendants amazing
attitude on the stand displayed
arrogance, a belligerent personality
as we'll as smart aleck and
egotistical" tendencies.
In crowded courtroom besieged
by lines of would-be spectators
waiting in the corridors outside.
Mr.. Morton was answered by a
former Maryland judge. William
j. McWilliams, who had been ap-
pointed by the court to defend
Edwards.
Confession Recalled.
Edwards was pictured by his
counsel as an even-tempered.
good-natured youth who would
have been angered by an auto
mobile said to have forced him to
Jump into a ditch on the night of
the murder.
|. In a confession which Edwards
signed last November. and which
the defense contends was made as
the result of deal" with police,
Edwards told how he followed the
car which nearly ran him down
and shot the driver after the ma
chine parked in a clearing in the
vicinity of Edwards home.
Edwards confessed he shot John
H. Mahlan. 25, a postal worker,
and then clubbed his 18-year-old
date, Miss Mary c. Kline. with an
automatic after she jumped
screaming from the car.
Threat Is Charged,
Mr.. McWilliams told the three
Judges. who are trying the case
instead of a jury. that Edwards
had been frightened by police into
believing he would be mobbed if
held in Jail near Glen Burnie.
AS a result. the attorney said. the
prisoner made a deal with Capt.
Henry j. Kriss. chief of Baltimore
detectives, when he was brought
here for Questioning on Novem-
ber r.. ~ ,''.-~--
He said Edwards at first pro-
tested his innocence but decided
to tell the officers what they
wanted him to say when Capt.
Kriss threatened to send him back
to Ann Arundel County unless he
talked.
The defense counsel pointed out
that Edwards was arrested in
October along with other colored
youths and released after being
held four days. He was picked up
again and again released. and, on
his third arrest. in November. was
taken to the Waterloo station of
the Maryland State Police.
Pressure Cited.
At this time. I1r. McWilliamS
said. county. State and Baltimore
City police were under "tremen-
dous pressure to solve the shock
ing crime.
The defense counsel insisted
that the fear of mob violence was
Systematically" planted in the
prisoners mind by implied threats
and suggestions. One of these. he
said, was when an officer interro-
eating Edwards kept tying rope
in a slip knot resembling hang
mans moose.
States Attorney Morton noted
that police had denied they either
threatened or abused Edwards or
made any deal with him.
The prosecutor declared that
FBI ballistic testimony supplied
positive" circumstantial evidence
in support of Edwards confes-
sion.
Shell as Evidence.
One of the most important bits
of evidence, he said, was a 49,
caliber exploded shell found where
the girls body was discovered.
This shell was identified as hav-
ing been fired from the .3S-callber
Czechoslovakian automatic found
in Edwards home.
Edwards admitted ownership OF
this gun, which he purchased in
an Army camp after returning
from serving % months overseas
as a truck driver in the Quarter
master Corps.
The judges were expected to
receive the case by mid-afternoon.