Evening star., 1950-04-05
Myers Tells Jury He
Can't Recall Events
Before Girls Death

Testifying in his own defense,
Ralph w. Myers, A. told a jury
In District Court today that he
could not remember events pre-
ceding the abortion death of Mrs
Nina Jean Campbell, 20.
Myers is charged with attempt
ing the illegal operation that re-
suited in the death of the young
mother of two small children.
Her badly beaten body was found
in an apartment at 1921 Fair
mont street NV. on January 5.
The defendant today outlined
his activities on the night Mrs.
Campbell died. He told the jury
that he started drinking heavily
about 6 pm. and continued drink
ing after his arrival an hour later
at the Fairmont street apartment,
which was that of Miss Ruth E.
Childs, registered nurse.
Some One Knocked.
He said that he and Miss Childs
were talking with two guests there
when some one knocked on the
apartment door.
Myers said he admitted Mrs.
Mabel Earnshaw and a woman
who was introduced to him as
Diane" Mrs. EarnshaW is an
aunt of the dead woman's hus-
band. Diane" later proved to be
Mrs. Campbell.
Myers testified that on the arri-
val of the two women all sat and
talked about Christmas cards and
presents. Later. he testified, when
called into another room by Miss
Childs. he was given this ex-
planation for the presence of the
two women:
To the best I know Diane is
Mrs. ErnshaW's niece. She has
problem and Mrs. Earnshaw
wants me to talk to her Diane >"
Il don't remember too much of
anything after that" the defend
ant testified.
Expected to Deny 1t.
In view of an opening state
ment by his defense counsel, it
was expected that Myers would
emphatically deny that he at
tempted an abortion on Mrs. !
Campbell.
When Myers first took the stand,
Defense Attorney James J. Laugh
lin questioned him as to his
acquaintanceship with Miss Childs.
Myers testified to knowing Miss
Childs for some time.
Mr.. Laughlin, who had post
poned his opening statement to
the jury until today, contended in
making it that the abortion charge
against his client was brought
about by persons desiring to pro-
tect themselves" He announced
that evidence would show that
Myers went to the apartment of
Miss Childs on the evening of
January 4; that he had been
VI ulh1llS, dllu pdSSSu OuC.
Found Body in Morning.
Upon awakening in the morn
ing. Mr.. Laughlin said, Myers
found the body of Mrs. Campbell,
whom he had first thought was
Miss Childs.
The attorney did not name the
persons he contended desired to
protect themselves He added,
however. they had acted knowing
where the defendant was most
vulnerable" Mr.. Laughlin didt
not elaborate but indicated ampli-
flcation would come later.
United States Attorney George
Morris Fay. Police Supt. Robert
j. Barrett and Capt. Jeremiah
Flaherty, head of the homicide
squad. were called on today to
testify as defense witnesses Mr.
Laughlin had announced yester-
day he would call them to ask why
his client was the only one in
dicted in view of testimony by
Government witnesses.
Up to Grand Jury.
Mr.. Fay said the matter of the
indictment was entirely up to the
grand jury, which returned the
indictment, to decide. Maj. Bar
rett told briefly of consulting with
the homicide squad on the inves-
tigation of Mrs. Canpbell's death.
Capt. Flaherty told of Investigate
ing the case.
Among the defense witnesses
were Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Cogar, /
1912 Forty-eighth avenue Sc,
Hillside, Md, parents of Mrs.
Campbell.