Evening star., 1952-03-21
Firenlen Testify
Policeman Hit
Woman al Blaze
Confusion Deepens
As Friend Of FumiIy
Tells Of His Arrest


Two firemen testified in Munich
pal Court today that Police Pvt. LIE
Roy Espeut struck Mrs. Dolores
Green during fracas at the
Green home March l.
The complicated case, which in
cludeS fire and charges by MEM
berS OF the Green family that po-
l1cemen beat them that night at
their home at 5206 Bass place Sc,
is being aired before Judge Ar
mond w. Scott. The Justice De-.
partment is investigating police
handling Of the case.
On trial are James Green, Is;
his wife Dolores. 18, and his BROTH
er. Alexander Green, jr., 19. AL
are colored.
They are charged with disorder
" conduct in fighting with police
men and swearing. James Green
also is accused of interfering with
f1remen called to fight a fire at the
home.
Confusing Point.
At today's session another con-
fusing point developed when
James Stephens, who described
himself as friend of the Greens.
told the court that it was he, not
James Green, who was arrested for
interfering with the flremen. Mr..
Stephens lives at 1913 Fourth
street NE.
Pvt. Espeut, 80, colored, of the
14th Precinct, testified yesterday
that he was attacked by the three
defendants after he had arrested
James Green for refusing to obey
his order to get out of hallway
in the house.
During the struggle. Joined by
other unknown persons, he said.
he lost his f1ashlight and black
jack and used his fists to defend
himself. He was subsequently
thrown to the ground, he said.
Pvt. Espeut denied striking anyl
one with blackjack at any time
He said that, after he got up from
the ground, he sent a policeman
in trouble radio call. Other police
responded.
Says Stephens Was Arrested.
Today Fireman Edward L: Col
vim of Engine Co. 81, testified
that Mr.. Stephens was. the man
Pvt. Espeut arrested and took out
of the Green home. A few min
utes later, the fireman declared,
he saw Pvt. Espeut and Mrs.
Green on the front. porch and
heard the policeman tell her he
was going to flock her up."
The fireman said, II saw Pvt.
Espeut strike her"
Fireman l.. K. Hansford, jr.,
also of Engine Co. 81, also testi-
fed that Mr.. Stephens was the
man arrested. Describing the in
cident on the porch, he declared:
Pvt. Espeut snatched her off
the porch very roughly - and
when he was carrying her to the
scout car, he slapped her."
Tells of Struggle.
Pvt. Hansford said the police
man took Mrs. Green to the scout
car and that at that point three
men came out of the house and
tried to take the girl from the
policeman. He said, 1.-TWO of them
grabbed the girl and pulled and
the other had Pvt. Espeut around
the waist"
A third fireman, Pvt. w. II.
Cheeks of the same company,
cleared up the mystery of what
happened to Mr.. Stephens after
his arrest.
He said Pvt. Espeut put Mr..
Stephens in the scout car and|
left his partner. Police Pvt. Fred
erick E. Gray, to watch him. Dur
ing the scuf11e that followed al
few minutes later. Pvt. Gray gotI
out of the police car to help Pvt.
Espeut and Mr.. Stephens also got
out and drove off in his own car
Mr.. Stephens then was called
to the stand and testified that he
was a close friend of the family
He said he ran into the house to
see what was wrong and that Pvt.
Espout told him to move out of
the way of the f1remen. IT started,
but he grabbed me by my belt and
said he was going to lock me
up"
Left Scene in Car.
Describing how he left the scene
after his arrest, Mr.. Stephens
said:
when Gray got out of the
scout car. I stepped out behind
him. He told me not to go any
where and I told him / was not
going anywhere. A few minutes
later he told me again not to go
anywhere, and ], told him Il
wasn't.
II was, moving towards my car
and he told me not to go any,
where and I said I was going to
move my car. When he looked
up again ! was gone"
The three defendants and two
other members of the Green fam
lily. Nina. IA. and Bertha, 20. were
treated at Gallinger Hospital for
scalp cuts after the fracas.
Pvt. Cray said he never saw Pvt