Evening star., 1952-12-13
Writ Is Denied
Convicted Of
Pedd|ing Dope
Indictments Not Bused
On Legal Evidence,
Attorney Claims

Att0Tney NIoImS
Defense attorneys efforts to
free seven persons convicted yes
terday Of conspiring to violate the
narcotics law failed today as the
court turned down a habeas
corpus plea.
Attorneys for Randolph (Cat-
fish, Turner. leader of Washing
tons biggest dope syndicate, and
the six others asked the United
States District Court for the Dis
trict of Columbia to issue the
writ
Judge James r. Kirkland denied
the plea. Attorney T. Emmett
Mckenzie said in his petition
that the grand jury which brought
the indictments did not act on
legal evidence and testimony and
that therefore the court had no
authority to try the case"
Went to Jury Thursday.
A petit jury of four women and
eight men, which took the case at
1888 pm. Thursday, ended the
sensation-packed five-week trial
at $40 pm. when Judge David A.
Pine announced they had reached
a verdict.
In addition to Turner, those
found guilty of pushing 81 million
worth of heroin here annually
were:
Richard Manfredonia and Law
renee 'Carrado of New York,
the wholesalers from whom the
spindle-thin Turner obtained his
stuff"
Leon James, Eddie (Meat Head)
Atkins and Joseph tPeter Rabbit
Smith. his top lieutenants, and
ALLEN (Turk) Williams.
All were found guilty on all six
counts in the indictment. How
ever, in the case of Williams the
jury asked for leniency.
Two Acquitted.
Two others were acquitted
They were Sam zone Eye) Palmer
and Warren Williams, represent
ed by Mr.. Mckenzie and Domenic
TaSauro.
All are colored except Manfre-
donia and Carrado.
Those judged guilty were ordered
committed to Jail without bail
pending sentencing, for which no
date has been set. They face
maximum terms of 40 years.
Immediately before the verdict
was read, Judge Pine warned the
handful of spectators he would
brook no demonstrations. He
added that the courtroom doors
would be locked until the pro-
ceedlngs were over.
With painstaking care. Panel
Foreman Jules Passeltiner, 40, of
1869 Columbia road NV, referred
to a chart the jury had pre-
pared.
AS each defendant was named,
he pronounced the verdict on each
OF the six counts alleged. In 10
minutes the drama of delivering
a verdict was over.
All Nine Unconditional.
The seven convicted men faced
the jury impassively. The two
freed were equally Unconditional.
i want to express my personal
gratitude for your public service"
Judge Pine told the jury men,
bers. Also, I want to thank you
In behalf Of the community.
Il think the verdict was very
discriminating and reflects the
care of your deliberations. Frankly.
cannot see how you could have
conscientiously reached any other
verdict"
Mr.. Passeltiner, floral designer
for Blackstone Florists, disclosed
later the jury had taken II bal
lots IN its two days of delibera-
tlons. He said a conclusion of
guilt on the top three-Turner.
Manfredonia and Carrado-was
reached early.
Next came guilty ballots for
James, Atkins and Smith. The
better part of yesterday afternoon
was devoted to Warren Williams
and Palmer.
Earlier the panel had deter
mined that Turk Williams, while
little man." was. nevertheless.
guilty as charged.
IreIan Sees Warning.
Proud of his victory was United
States Attorney Charles M. Irelan
and his two young assistants,
Thomas A. Walden, jr.. and Rob-
ert Ackerly, who spent months
working up the case.
Mr.. Irelan, obviously referring
to Manfredonia and Carrado, said
the verdict would serve notice that
hoodlumS from distant States
could no longer escape punishment
for participating in crimes in
Washington.
This proves those from far
cities can be brought across State
lines for prosecution where the
crime was actually committed" ."
he asserted.
Originally, IA persons were
named in the indictment, the big
best ever returned here.
Heading the list was Harry
Tantillo. reputed leader of the
New York importing ring that
Serviced Turner. He has never
been captured.
Paul Robinson pleaded guilty
before the trial began, and
charges against Esther Wright
were dropped. Both later appeared
as Government witnesses.
Pearl Woodward won a directed
verdict of acquittal at the con-
clusion of the Governments case,
and Letha Simpson, girl friend of
Catfish Turner hoe not hoa,, fr;ad