Evening star., 1951-04-18
HoItzoff Indicates
NesIine Murder Case
Will Go 10 Jury Today
BY chorles J. Yorbrouoh


The fate of Joseph F. Nesline
gambler, bookie, bootlegger ano
newly-turned oil man, was ex-
pected to go to a District Court
jury this afternoon.
The 36-year-old f1rst-degree
murder defendant stood up well
under cross examination this
morning by Assistant United
States Attorney Arthur McLaugh-
lin. and even buttressed his claims
of self-defense in the Staying OF
George P. Harding. 39-year-old
ex-convict, in the Hideaway Club
in Georgetown last January.
After both the prosecution and
defense rested their cases at 1890
pm. Judge Alexander Holtzoff
commented I'VE want to get this
case to you this afternoon. Un-
doubtedly some of you will want
to attend the Macarthur celebra-
ton tomorrow" :
Tells of Fears for Life.
During his cross-examination.
Nesline testified:
II was afraid the whole time
I was in there referring to the
Hideaway Club.
when Harding took his hands
out of his pockets" the quiet
voiced defendant said, st knew he
was going to shoot me-" ~
He admitted that he never did
know the reason why Harding was
after him. He said he had car
ried the gun in the glove COM
partment of his car several days
before the shooting because II
was afraid of George"
"You carried it to shoot Hard
ing if necessary. didn't you," Mr.
Mclaughlin asked.
NJ Security in the Dark"
THE purpose was, 'cNesline re-
piled, '.that was afraid of George
and it would give me a little
security in the dark. I never had
any intention of shooting him: I
always prayed that would never
happen"
.'But you did shoot it. didn't
you?"
"Yes, sir" Nesline replied in a
low voice, 'I did"
Nesline told the jury he had
never handled the gun before.
"a didn't even know if it was
loaded. I just took for granted
there would be a shot in the
chamber"
In redirect examination by De-
Tense Attorney Charles E Ford,
Nesline said that, although he
had feared Harding for several
months. he did not complain to
police because "I was afraid Hard
ing might sometime hurt my
wife"
~ Salesman Testifies.
The final witness in the case
was Anthony Celani, Alexandria
automobile salesman and former
Northeast poolroom operator. He
testified that the gun Nesline1
used in the Harding staying had
belonged to him. He said He OBJ
tanned it from a Marine as pay
raent for fare while celaui was
operating a limousine service. The
witness said Nesline took the gun
from him as Mr.. eCelani and an
other man were having an argu-
ment.
Yesterday, Nesline frankly owned
up to his shady past. but gave his
current occupation as secretary
OF an oil corporation headed by
his defense attorney. =
Nesline said he is secretary of
the Wash-Tex Oil Co., of which
Mr.. Ford is president. The de-
fendant listed the other officers as
W. j. Livingston. of sTexas, as
vice president. and George w
Langley, former Washington sea-
food dealer. as treasurer.
Gater, Mr.. Ford said the CORP
grafton was formed last Novem-
ber; that the four put up $4,000
for leases and now have one we'll
producing DO barrels day near
Lot. Texasl @
Nesline testified he was in Texas
three times during late 1850 in
the interests of the well.
Admits He Was Gambler
"Prior to that" he said. opening
up the details of his past, "I
worked in casinos all over the
country"
"You mean you were a gamb-
1er?" Mr.. Ford asked.
That's right" Nesline replied
He said he worked in casinos
at the Tahoe Biltmore, New. in
the Casino Nacional. Havana,
and at one time worked for the
late; Jimmie LaFontaine. At othel
times, he went on, he worked for a
bakery, the Times-Herald and
booked horses in store on Penn
sylyania avenue Sc. ..
Nesline and Harding had been
friends for 20 years or more, until
late, last year. The rift came,
Nesline testified. when Harding
appeared at his home once, drunk,
and told Nesline to have Mrs.
Nesline go out to buy whisky.
Nesline said he refused and