Evening star., 1950-06-22
Tyler at Home
AtMurder Hour,
Father Swears
Prosecution Rests
! In TrioI Of Suspect
Oflonsburoh Killings

The father OF William A. Tyler,
jr. Is. testified today that his son
was in bed early on the morning
OF April I. when the prosecution
contends the defendant entered
the LanSburgh & Bro. Department
Store and stabbed two watchmen
to death.
The youth. who is colored. Is
being tried on first degree murder
charges accusing him Of killing
Oliver r. Hess. 81. and James c.
Carpenter. 81. The trial is before
a District Court jury OF eight wom-
en- and four men.
The father testified he saw his
son asleep at the home in 1900
block Of Pomeroy road Sc, be-
tween midnight and 1890 am.
April 7, about the time the Gov
ernment contends the store was
entered and as outlined in
confession.
Prosecution Rests.
The elder Tyler was the first
defense witness called. The prose-
cution rested shortly after IL am,
after Government exhibits were
handed to the jury by Assistant
United States Attorney Cecil r.
Heflin.
The exhibits included a copy Of
the youths confession. eyeglasses
and pocketbook which belonged
to Mr.. Carpenter. The eyeglasses
and pocketbook were found at the
scene of the killing.
Testifying for the Government
yesterday was John l.. Mcintosh,
operating manager of the store,
who said he saw Tyler re-enact
the crimes before detectives. Mr..
Mcintosh. who had testified ear
lier was recalled just before the
confession Tyler made to police
was read to the jury.
Says He Was Struck.
Tyler, upon request of defense
counsel, had been permitted to
testify. as to the confession only.
The defendant contended police
twisted handouts on him, struck
him and questioned him without
giving him food or water, leading
up to the confession. Police denied
Tyler was forced into making the
confession.
Mr.. Mcintosh said Tyler ap-
peared at the store with Detective
Sergts. Lloyd B. Furr and Law
renee A. Hartnett and others. Mr..
Mcintosh testified he heard Tyler
tell the detectives. IT am going
to lead you now"
The store ofiicial quoted Tyler
as telling the group he loosened
ropes and let down tongs from .
window at the store from which
garbage is lowered. The prosecu.
ton contends Tyler gained en-
trance TO the store through that
window.
Looked and Smiled"
Mr.. Mcintosh testified Tyler
told the group he had tied the
tongs together so they wouldn't
make a noise"
When the group arrived at the
window. Mr.. Mcintosh said Tyler
looked down and smiled" The
window. Mr.. Mcintosh testified,
had q lock. which had not been
there on the night Of the crimes.
At one point while visiting the
stores tearoom. where Tyler for
merly was employed, the defend
ant reached toward some knives,
Mr.. Mcintosh testified. Sergt.
Hartnett then grabbed Tyler's
hand, Mr.. Mcintosh said.
Mr.. Mcintosh said Tyler then
asked: You are not afraid. are
you?" He said Sergt. Hartnett re-
piled he thought 1t best not 10
take chances.
Quoted a. Admitting II.
He then quoted Tyler as say
ing he went to the stores cash
room, but found no money.
Mr.. Mcintosh also quoted Tyler
as saying he stabbed Mr.. Hess
and Mr.. Carpenter.
Among other witnesses yester.
day was Tyler's mother, Mrs.
Made Tyler, who testified she
saw her son at the District jail
last May 8, two days after he
made his alleged confession to
police. She said her sons face
and eyes were swollen.