Evening star., 1952-01-31
Nelson Defense
Hits 'Informers'
In Trial Windup
Coming Conspiracy
Case Expected to Go
To Jury Tomorrow
By w. H. Shippen

Nelson and IA co-defendant
pointed out In final argument
that the Government produced L
alleged accomplices whose testi
nony should be received will
caution" because they hat
worked for the syndicate.
This testimony was backed, &C
cording to defense counsel, by 1
mass of written documents which
make no reference to two defend
ants. Detective Sergt. Robert 6
Kirby of the homicide squad. ant
former Detective James E. Lowry
who retired five years ago.
Says Evidence Lacking.
Attorney Charles E. Ford chal.
lenged the Government to find ont
reference to Lowry in Nelson,
elaborate financial records. At
torney H. Clifford Alder then told
the jury the records disclosed
nothing with relation to Kirby's
alleged association with the syndi-
cate.
Mr.. Alder said the only wit
nesSes who said Kirby was seer
at gambling headquarters were
acconplices. He said even a
policeman has q right to make
his own friends during of hours
Moreover, Mr.. Alder declared, a
police officer "has every right to
60 to a social party" He was
referring to a Christmas party
given by the Nelson's for the staff
Of the syndicate at the Tea Topper
Tavern in Seat Pleasant, Md, in
1948.
The tavern is next door to the
principal headquarters of the
syndicate, in the basement Of the
Richardson home"
Photograph Identified.
A woman adding machine op-
orator previously had identified a
photograph taken at the party
which showed her in Kirby's en-
brace.
A plea In behalf Of "a young
mother" was made by Attorney
Edward Bennett Williams, who
represents the Nelson's daughter.
Mrs. Bertha MacWilliams. %, and
her husband. William K. Mac
Williams.
why was this young mother
indicted in this caSe?'ss asked Mr..
Williams. "It all boils down to
the fact that she didn't offer testi-
mony against her own mother and
father in the jury room"
How can you hold this mother
guilty when other women wit
nesses who admitted they had
worked in the numbers for years
were allowed to testify and go free
Of prosecution" Mr.. Williams
asked.
At no similar case in recent his.
tory here have former employees
of gamblers testified against their
bosses. The defense attorneys are
centering their attack on the mo-
tives which led the accomplices to
turn States evidence. They insist
that the Government must have
made some threat Of prosecution
or offered immunity to have per-
suaded so many employees to take
the stand for the prosecution.
Yesterday, the. gambling racket
was described to a District Court
jury as "a cancer sapping the
economic life of this community
for the profit of few" Later this
statement of Assistant United
States Attorney Alfred Hantmar
was fatty contradicted by Defense
Counsel r. Edward O'Connell, whit
declared:
'All that stuff about a cancer.
GUS growth is a lot of hokum anc
bunk!"
Points to Kirby, Lowry.
Mr.. Hartman outlined the Gov.
ernment's case from the begin
ming of the trial on January Il
and declared there was little
doubt that the rich syndicate en-
joyed the active assistance of 9
homicide squad sergeant and 6
retired precinct detective.
He was referring to Kirby, who
was suspended from the force
after his indictment on October
%, and Lowry. who resigned as q
detective in 1947.
Mr.. Hartman made only passing
reference to Inspector Albert I
Bullock, wso was acquitted by the
judge Tuesday for lack Of evidence
associating him with the conspir-
acy within three-year perioo
prior to the indictment.
Lowry began to act as a guard
Mr.. Hartman said, while still or
the police force. This occurred
after a syndicate messenger wa
robbed of $50 near the Seat Pleas
ant (Md0 headquarters OF the RIM
, in 1945, it was said.
Says Lowry Collected.
Lowry prevented another hold
up when the headquarters was a
North Beach, while he was on tn
police force or had just retired,
Mr.. Hartman continued. He salt
Lowry also collected bets.
when Lowry couldn't make II
Kirby would be there-we fin'
him spelling of Lowry in the op
eration," 1t was said.
Mr.. O'Connell's summation in
cluded q personal attack on As
sistant United States Attorne
John w. Fihelly.
He ridiculed the denial Of MI
FINELY. Mr.. Hartman an
Thomas Walden. another Assist
mt United States Attorney, tina
they had offered threats or in
sducements to employees Of the syn
dicate who turned States evi
deYce.
referring to the prosecutor
Who had been called to the stan
earlier by the defense, Mr.. O'Cor
nell declared:
aAll the witnesses, includin
these three, perjured themselv'
when they said no offers of in