Evening star., 1951-06-12
Grand Jury Due
To Quiz Bradley
On. Caldwell File
New Trial Motion
Under Consideration
By Judge Keech


in prospect today. as a result of
a four-day District Court hear
ing on a new trial motion for
Bennie c. Caldwell, 81, convicted
last month on jury tampering
charges.
It was indicated that a grand
jury probably would be called on
today to investigate an alleged ef-
fort of the defense to obtain prose-
cution files in the Caldwell case.
Meanwhile. the motion for a
new trial was taken under ad-
visement yesterday by Judge
Richmond B. Keech. after hearing
final arguments by counsel. Judge
Keech did not indicate when he
would rule on the motion.
Immediately after the court had
recessed for the day, it was
learned that John E. Bradley, sr.,
a private detective who was a
controversial figure during the
hearing on new trial motion,
had been served with a Govern
ment subpoena to appear today
as a grand jury witness.
Served in Dual Role.
The subpoena listed him as be-
ing summoned to appear in refer
ence to an alleged conspiracy to
remove Government files"
Mr.. Bradley came into promi-
nence during the hearing on the
new trial motion, when it was
brought out that he had served in
a dual role by working for the
defense while serving as an in
former for the prosecution in the
Caldwell case.
On June /, when the hearing on
the new trial motion began, MIR.
Bradley testified the defense had
sought the prosecution files in the
Caldwell case so they could be
copies. He made references in
this connection to Attorney john
son. Caldwell and Daniel M. Gary
81. colored. of New York and
washington, co-defendant with
Caldwell. Gary was granted a
separate trial because of illness
and has not been tried.
$4,000 Mentioned.
Under questioning during the
early part of a hearing on the
new trial motion, Mr.. Bradley
testified:
I can't honestly say whether
1t was Mr.. johnson, Mr.. Gary or
Mr.. Caldwell. who requested the
files"
A report made by Mr.. Bradley
mentioned sum of $2,500. a part
OF which allegedly was available
Tor the file. It was not made clear
however. as to where the money
was to come from, or who made
the offer.
In anscwer to a question by At
torney johnson. Mr.. Bradley
stated definitely that the attorney
had never offered any money for
the files.
Attorney Johnson indicated to
the court yesterday that he was
anxious to prove his suspicion that
Bradley was hired by the prosecu-
ton while in contact with him. To
prove this, he told the court. he
wanted to induce Bradley to bring
IN the Government files. This ac-
ton on his part. Attorney John
son contended, was to expose
Bradley. Mr.. johnson later told
a reporter he would have had Mr.
Bradley arrested had he brought
them in.
Signed Affidavit,
Mr.. Bradley came into the hear
ing under direction of Judge
keech. after Attorney johnson
mad presented an affidavit signed
oy Mr.. Bradley. The affidavit was
onered by Attorney johnson in
support of a motion for a new
TRIAL. The defense lawyer con-
tended the prosecution had at
tempted to obstruct justice by
having Mr.. Bradley make contact
With the defense while working
as an informer for the Justice De-
partment.
Assistant United States Attor-
ney William Hitz, who prosecuted
Caldwell, denied the accusations
ana last week took the stand as a
witness.
Mr.. Hitz testified he had told
Mr. Bradley not to hire himself
to do any work for the defense.
Caldwell, who is colored. at one
time operated the now closed Club
Bali. His conviction on the Jury
tampering charges was in con-
nection with a gambling trial of
William (SnagS) Lewis in January