Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-09-22
Policemen Accused
|0f Brooklyn Brides
Face New Questions
BY the Associated Press

NEW YORK, Sept. 22.-The
Brooklyn grand jury investigating
rackets is set to question some of
the Is defendants in the police
graft trial who went free after
bookie Harry Gross baked at
talking.
It was disclosed yesterday that
one of the accused. Patrolman
Edmund Duncan, 80, had ignored
a request to appear before the
grand jury. Duncan, suspended
tplainclothesman. has never ap-
peared before the panel.
| But Kings County District At
torney Miles F. Mcdonald said
Duncan will be subpoenaed to ap-
pear Monday, and that others of
the 10 are expected to be called
later.
Could Face New Charges.
The freed defendants. although
they cannot be tried on the same
charges, could be indicted on diff
ferent charges If evidence was
available.
Reports of important changes
in police procedure, and a possible
purge of high brass circulated in
the wake of Gross sabotage Of
the trial.
| Police Commissioner George P.
Monaghan met with Judge Samuel
S. Leibowitz and Mcdonald for
more than an hour yesterday.
After the session Judge Leibo-
. WITT said, "as a result of this con-
ference, I hope there will be a
happier day for the people Of this
city"
/ Later Mr.. Monaghan, only re-
Gently named Police Commits
ISioner, told newsmen:
LAS Of this time, I do not con-
template a shakeup in this de-
Ipartment."
/ Could Get 68 Years.
Meanwhile Gross. IS, remained
in Brooklyn city prison. He will
be sentenced Thursday in special
sessions on IS counts of book
making and conspiracy to which
he has pleaded guilty. He could
get a maximum of 68 years in
Jail on the counts-all misde-
meanorS.
Gross attorney is appealing a
lfive-year sentence and $4,000
fine melted out to Gross for con-
tempt by Judge Leibowitz after the
prosecutions star" witness col
lapsed the case by refusing to talk.
The 18 policemen were on trial
in County Court on felony charges,
accused of accepting 81 million
year in graft to protect the dapper
bookie's $40 million a year gam
bling ring.
The grand jury will sift evidence
against still other police, includ-
ing financial questionnaires which
some 500 members Of the depart
ment filled out when called as jury
witnesses during the past year.
Family Flees to Coast.
/ Gross wife and two small chill
Idren have left their Atlantic Beach
On. " home and now are living
lin Los Angeles.
| A West Coast representative of
the New York Post yesterday
quoted Mrs. Gross as saying she
fled with her family because of
constant telephone calls and a
number of threatening letters re-
Iceived before and during the
trial.
1T was terrible to leave Harry
now when he needs me so much"
Mrs. Gross was quoted as saying.
''but he wanted me to go and !
had to think of my children and
my mother.
Maybe I should have stayed,
but I tried to do what was best
and the doctor said I had to get
away before I had a nervous
breakdown"
Judge Criticized.
Yesterday. the Citizens Union
consisting of private citizens in
terested in civic affairs-praised
Mr.. McDonald's role in the police
graft trial but criticized Judge
Leibowitz's role in the case.
Without mentioning the judge
by name, the union statement
questioned whether it is wise
from the point Of view of effec-
tive and orderly administration
of the processes of criminal JUS
tice, for judge to appear to be
taking on some of the functions
of a prosecuting official in ferret
ing out crime"
However important the objec-
tive" the statement added, 'it
would appear that the judiciary
will best serve the public interest,
especially in the criminal field, by
adhering to it's traditional role of
impartial arbiter between the
State and the accused"
Judge Leibowitz played lead
ing role in the investigation which
led to the police indictments. Also
he tried from the bench to induce
Gross to testify against the de-
PENDANTS.