Evening star., 1950-05-18
Lie Detector Yields
Nothing Conclusive
In Redhead's SIayinq


A suspect in the strangulation
of an unidentified woman near
Berkeley Springs, w. Va, under
went a lie detector test early TO-
day with negative results.
The test was given at Elkins to
a 31-year-old former convict who.
police were informed, had told as
sociates in Morgantown about
seeing a nude woman lying dead
beside a road near Berkeley
Springs a day before the murder
was reported to police on May 10.
Capt. B. E. Wright admitted
wearily after long periods of ques-
tioning the suspect that the ini-
tial lie detector tests proved
nothing conclusive" He added,
however. that further tests will
be given if deemed advisable"
Arrested in Morgantown.
The man, who had served five
years of a 25-year sentence for
wartime desertion from the Army,
was arrested at his home in Nor
gantoWn Tuesday. Police say he
has told conflicting stories as to
his whereabout at the time the
red-headed woman was strangled.
stripped of her clothing and
thrown down an embankment.
A road map found in the mans
automobile led to his questioning
In the strangulation Staying of IT.
year-old Lorraine Hess last Sat-
urday at Millville, N. j. Police
said the map contained pencil
marks along a route from New
Jersey to Berkeley Springs, with
circle around Millville.
Investigators said the map
showed route that passed
through Hancock, Md, just across
the river from the spot where the
unidentified redhead's body was
found.
The suspect, however, denies
being in either city, although ad-
mitting he recently drove from
New Jersey to Morgantown. The
mans car, police said, contained
many photographs of women and
a number of love letters addressed
to him.
Body Still Unidentified.
Police today had been unable to
identify the body of the murder
victim. Friends of a missing
Washington waitress, Ida Mae
Sheehan of the 1900 block of
North Capitol street, viewed the
body and expressed the belief it
was that of Miss Sheehan.
Authorities say, however, that
the f1ngerprints of the two women
do not match. although they are
somewhat similar.
Prosecuting Attorney S. D. Hell
sley at Berkeley Springs said the
flngerprints would be compared
further today, although he is vir-
tually convinced the woman was
identified by mistake.
Another Staying Case Possible.
1t also appeared today that
Berkeley Springs authorities may
have another unexplained Staying
to solve. At first they wrote
off the death of George R. Leach,
59-year-old unemployed tree sur
geon from Fairfax, Va, as sui
eide. But an autopsy later showed
seven cracks in Mr.. Leach's skull.
Apparently they had no connec-
tion with the .22-caliber bullet
wound in his right temple, but
could have been caused by blast.
So coronerS jury found that
Mr.. Leach died of a wound Gin
f1icted by himself or some other
persons unknown"
His body was found Tuesday
along the old Chesapeake & Ohio
Canal not far from the spot where
the murdered woman was dis
covered.
Police frankly admit they don't
know if there is any connection
between the two deaths.
A car without license tags was
found about 100 yards from where
Mr.. Leach was found. The car
was registered under Mr.. Leachs
name.