Evening star., 1952-11-14
3 Defense Lawyers
Batter at Informer's S
Story in Dope Trial

efforts to break down an in
formers testimony about District
dope-running and police payoffs
The entire morning session OF
the Randolph (Catf1sh) Turner
narcotics conspiracy trial. now in
its third day, centered around the
Governments star witness. 81
year-old Paul Robinson. colored
A husky. soft-voiced man
Robinson has admitted he once
was a runner who worked for the
Turner gang. He also has sworn
he picked up $50 monthly from
several of the 13 defendants now
on trial and turned it over to
Turner for protection payoffs to
q lit. Carper."
1t. H. H. Carper, former head
of the police narcotics squad. and
his chief deputy. Sergt. William
Taylor. are awaiting trial on mar
cotics conspiracy and bribery
charges.
Defense Tries to See Statements.
The indictment alleges the sus-
pended policemen took some 5000
in bribes from dope peddlers.
Goal of the defense lawyers
in the technical fight they be-
gan yesterday afternoon is to get
a look at three written state
ments Robinson gave to Assistant
United States Attorney Thomas
Walden when he decided to turn
informer.
Judge David A. Pine of the
United States District Court for
the District of Columbia mas
refused to let the defense see
the statements. However, he has
permitted the lawyers to cross-ex-
anime Robinson concerning con-
tents of the three afhdavits.
Defense Attorney James J.
Laughlin has ELECTED from the
former dope peddler admissions
that he worked for Turner; that
he was friendly with Herbert
(BucklejawS) johnson, who also
will appear as a Government wit
ness; and that he collected money
which he turned over to Turner
for the purpose of police payoffs
Seek to Impeach Testimony.
The defense lawyers are at
tempting to impeach Robinson:
testimony by trying to prove 6
conflict exists between the three
sworn written statements and hi!
present testimony
In addition to Turner thes,
others are on trial:
Richard Manfredonia and Law
renee Carrado of New York; Aleth.
Simpson, Pearl Woodward. Eddi'
Atkins, Joseph (Peter Rabbit
Smith, Allan (Turk) Williams
Warren Williams, Leon James
Esther Wright and Sam Zone Eye
Palmer.
Another defendant, Harry Tan
tillio of New York, was namet
in the conspiracy but has not ye
been captured.
Robinson originally was in
cluded in the conspiracy bu
pleaded guilty before taking tn,
stand.
First Job Was in Narcotics.
The Simpson woman is in
private hospital where she re-
Gently underwent an abdomina
operation.
A jury Of eight men and fou
women is hearing the case.
Under crosS-examination by De
fense Attorneys Joseph Lyman ant
Laughlin yesterday, Robinson sal,
he was introduced into the dop
business by Bucklejaws John
son, then allegedly a membe
of dope ring operated by Turner
1t was the first time Robinson hat
had a job since he left Armstron,
High School in 1949. he said.
II was in the streets hustlin
and wasn't doing so good" Rob
1nson related. II wanted som,
bigger money-some faster none,
and I was lucky enough to ge
o job"
What do you mean by hus.
tling?" the witness was asked.
"Gambling-everything that wa
illegal at the time - everythin,
there was a law against" Robin
son replied.
Admired Bucklejaws.
He testified he had admired
Bucklejaws for his character" ant
continued, 80 I tried to follow
In his footsteps"