Evening star., 1951-09-12
Gross Escapes;
Got Threats on
Lives Of Family
Bookmuker Vunishes
On Eve Of Brooklyn
Graft Trial Testimon,
BY the Associated Press

~ WV i'Sss
NEW YORK. Sept. 12.-Harry
Gross, IS, missing graft trial star
witness sought throughout the
Nation, received letters threaten
ing the lives of his wife and chill
dren before he escaped from po-
lice custody. District Attorney
Miles F. Mcdonald said today.
The dapper, perfumed Gross
fled as the mass trial of 18 police
men and former policemen ac-
cused of accepting graft from
Gross to cover up the gamblers
$40 million syndicate finished it's
second day yesterday in an at
tempt to select jury.
Mr.. Mcdonald made his an
nouncement in the courtroom Of
Judge Samuel S. LeibowitZ. who is
conducting the trial. Gross was
to have been the chief prosecution
witness.
Read Letters.
Mr.. Mcdonald read the letters,
which were addressed to Mrs.
Gross. He emphasized that he did
not claim the letters were con-
nected with the 18 policemen on
trial, but said they indicated the
frame of mind that led Gross to
escape policemen guarding him.
Gross had been free in $25.000
bail, although Judge Leibowitz has
said during previous hearings in
the case that the gamblers life
would be in great danger if he
were free. He had been under
protective custody.
Gross slipped away from two
Ipatrolmen at his Long Island
home last night and dropped from
sight. He was believed to have
fed by automobile.
Got Grim Warning.
One of the letters to Gross wife,
Lila, read by Mr.. Mcdonald in
court said; This is to warn you
| that If Harry testifies, your chill
dren i. will never live to grow
up. 1t can happen anywhere
at school on the street."
Another letter threatened that
if Gross testified you will live in
fear of who we are going to kill"
Mr.. Mcdonald said the FBI is
being called in to help in the
widespread search for Gross.
He said that before trial Gross
had "co-operated completely and
fully with U.s." He explained that
yesterday, two policemen whom
he identified only at Rabinowitz
and Cunningham, took Gross
home to get clothes because Gross
was going to be remanded to Jail
for the duration of the trial, and
no longer allowed freedom on
bail.
Orders Were Violated.
Mr.. Mcdonald said one police
man in violation of orders left
to get food for himself. The
other sat in Gross house while
Gross talked with his wife in
another room. When Gross went
to the kitchen, the policeman
followed. but later went back into
the living room. When he re-
turned to the kitchen Gross was
gone.
Il fully accept the responsible
ity that is mine," Mr.. Mcdonald
said.
Mr.. Mcdonald did not explain
in court why six hours elapsed
between the time Gross eluded
the police guards, and an alarm
was issued for his arrest.
Gross had pleaded guilty to 66
counts of conspiracy and book
making, and faced a maximum
penalty of IS years in prison.
Judge Adjourns Trial.
Judge Leibowitz adjourned the
trial to Friday morning. at the
request of Assistant District At
torney Julius Helfand.
Mr.. Helfand asked for the post
ponement for obvious reasons"
adding: Il will not elaborate on
this request"
Judge Leibowitz ordered Gross
$500 bail forfeited and issued
a bench warrant for his arrest.
Just before the trials adjourn
ment, he directed the selection Of
so more prospective jurors. In
two days of jury picking, only
eight have been chosen, and this
count went back to seven today
when one juror was excused. A
(See GROSS, Page A-14)