Evening star., 1950-06-20
Witness Defies
Prosecutors al
Trial Of Tyler
CeIImote Repudiutes
Story to Grond Jury
In Lonsbureh Killings

The murder trial of William A..
Tyler. jr., colored, 18, accused of
killing two Lansburgh 81 Bro. de-
partment store watchmen. was
enlivened today when a former
cellmate of the youth definitely
repudiated testimony the Govern
ment said he gave before the
grand jury.
"I refuse to answer any more
questions, declared Ernest Price,
jr., colored. "a. while he was being
questioned in District Court by
Assistant United States Attorney
Cecil Heflin.
Price, who is awaiting trial on
a charge of robbing another COL
ored man of $4,000 last Septem-
ber. was warned repeatedly by
Judge Alexander Holtzof that he
would have to answer Mr.. Hefiin's
questions.
"Tired of Questions"
"Your honor I'm tired Of this
mans questions" Price retorted
at one point.
Mr.. Hef1in said Price told the
grand jury that Tyler had told
him Of entering the department
store and fatally stabbing the two
watchmen last April.
Price repeatedly insisted that
he could not remember what he
had told the grand jury. He
might have told the grand jury
anything" and whatever he did
tell them might have been wrong,
Price insisted.
Tells of Conversation.
Tyler had not told him any
thing about the Lansburgh muir
der, Price asserted.
Under cross-examination by De-
fense Attorney James T. Wright.
Price said he had related before
the grand jury what Tyler had
told him regarding an alleged con-
fession he made to police. Price
testified Tyler told him he had
been struck by policemen while
being questioned. Tyler has re-
pudiated the confession.
In answer to a question by Mr..
Hef1in, Price said he did not recall
telling the grand jury that Tyler
had told him: when you are out
trying to make money you don't
intend to kill people but when they
get in your way, things happen"
Price said that when he was
placed in a cell with Tyler he
was told by Jail official he would
be wise" to keep his ears open.
Indicted on Seven Counts.
The two watchmen were Oliver
r. Hess, 81. and John c. Carpen-
ter, 81. The seven-count indict-
ment against Tyler charges him
with premeditated murder of the
two watchmen, first degree mur-
der while engaged in housebreak-
ing and first degree murder while
attempting to steal $4,000 from
the store, in addition to murder
of Mr.. Carpenter while robbing
the latter of $51.
Police witnesses yesterday testi-
fled on finding the bodies of the
victims. The witnesses also de-
scribed the layout of the store.
Store Manager Testifies.
John L. Mcintosh, operating
manager of the store, testified
there was considerably more
than $4,000 in the stores cash
room at the time of the killing.
The prosecution contends that
Tyler got into the cash room,
seeking the money. but was I'M
able to get to it.
Mr.. Mcintosh also testified
Tyler previously had been en-
ployed in the stores tearoom and
later as porter at the store.
Detective Sergt. Lawrence A.
Hartnett Of the Homicide Squad
identified a number of Govern
ment exhibits in the case, includ-
ing pictures. He also identified a
handkerchief. which he said was
stuffed partly into Mr.. Carpenters
mouth, and a piece of cloth tied
around the watchman.