Evening star., 1951-05-15
Murray's Son Cleared
On Morals Charges
In Four-Hour Trial 4

CHARLES A. Murray, son and ad-
mlnistrative assistant of Senator
James Murray, Democrat, of Mon
tana, was acquitted of a morals
charge last night, after a four
hour Municipal Court trial.
The 37-year-old Senate aide,
who lives at 9713 Connecticut ave-
nue., Kensington, Md, was charged
with soliciting Vice Squad un-
dercover man for '1ewd and i'm
moral purposes" Police charged
a solicitation took place outside
the Senate Office Building.
Judge Thomas C. Scalley an
nounced the not-guilty verdict,
after hearing Mr.. Murray deny
the accusation and after testi-
mony from parade of prominent
character witnesses. some coming
from Montana solely for the trial.
The case was heard without
jury.
Policeman Takes Stand.
The principal prosecution wit
ness, Vice Squad Pvt. Charles F.
Klopfer, told the court he was
standing at jackson place and H
street NV, near Lafayette Park,
at about 1880 am, April 27, when
he was approached by Mr.. Murray.
After asking for cigarette, he
testified, the defendant invited him
for a ride, and the two drove in
Mr.. Murray's 1949 Cadillac to the
Senate Office Building.
After stepping from the car, Pvt.
Klopfer testified. the defendant in
vited the officer to accompany him
to his office for the purpose Of
committing an indecent act.
Attended Drinking Party.
Mr.. Murray told the court he
had attended a private party at
the Congressional Hotel that
night, during which he had a
number of drinks. Leaving at
about midnight. he said, he drove
to the Lafayette Hotel, where he
bought a newspaper and went to
the bar for two more drinks. After
walking to the Hotel Statler and
finding the mems bar there closed,
he said. he decided to walk around
Ia while "to clear my head" before
driving home.
This walk, he testified. took him
ito Jackson place. where he asked
the undercover man for a match.
After general conversation" he
testified, he said he had some
liquor at his Office. He said he
asked Pvt. Klopfer if he wanted
to go along and the officer said
he did.
Mr.. Murray denied he made any
solicitation or any mention of sex
to the officer.
Gave Fictitious Name.
Mr.. Murray admitted he gave a
fictitious name when he was
booked at headquarters and de-
MED he was searched by police.
He said he went home and was
ill for a couple of days. failing to
make court appearance. He had
been released under $500 bond. An
attachment for his arrest resulted,
and Mr.. Murray later surrendered
himself.
Vlsibly nervous on the witness
stand, the defendant glanced
frequently at his wife, who he
said is expecting a baby soon.
The Murrays have three other
children. 49,
The Right Rev. John O'Grady,
secretary of the National Con-
ference of Catholic Charities and
ia Catholic University professor,
was the first of a parade of wit
nesses who vouched for the de-
lfendant's character.
Among the others were DR..
James J. McHale, Washington
surgeon: Carl MacFarland, presi-
dent Of Montana State Univer-
lstiy; j. F, Meglen. Montana as
sistant district attorney: James
H. Rowe, jr:, attorney who listed
previous Government posts the Job
lof assistant of President Roose-
velt in 1889, and Eugene J. Butler,
assistant legal chief of the Ma
tional Catholic Welfare Confer
ence.