Evening star., 1952-12-05
Call on Carper
AS Witness for
Turner Quashed
Judge Pine Acts
To Avoid Hinderinq
Trial of Lieutenant

District Judge David A. Pine
today quashed a summons order
ing Police 1t. H. H. Carper to tes-
tify as a defense witness in the
Randolph (Catfish) Turner mar
coticS conspiracy trial. The de-
Tense then rested its case.
Through Attorney Myron Ehr-
Itch, the policeman argued that
the subpoena, obtained by Attor-
ney James j. Laughlin, hurt 1t.
Carper's chances of obtaining a
fair trial.
The suspended former head Of
the police narcotics squad based
his reluctance to take the stand
on two points:
/. He currently is under indict-
ment with his principle aide, Sergt.
William Taylor. Both are charged
with bribery and conspiracy to
violate the narcotic laws.
2. He has before the court a
motion for change of venue for
removal of his case, scheduled to
go to trial December Is, to another
jurisdiction.
Cites Indictment Charge.
Mr.. Ehrlich said count 10 in
the Indictment accuses 1t. Carper
of accepting a $500 bribe from
Turner. reputed head of the Dis
trict's largest dope syndicate. The
lawyer also pointed out that pub
licity attendant with Carper's ap-
lpearance on the stand in the Tur-
ner trial would further hinder the
lpoliceman's chances of getting a
fair and impartial trial here if the
venue change is denied
After Mr.. Ehrlich's plea, Mr..
Laughlin agreed that under the
he should withdraw
the summons and Judge Pine eX-
cused 1t Carper.
Carper was called by Mr.. Laugh-
lin in an attempt to refute testi-
mony by Herbert Buckle Jaws)
johnson and others tying the de-
PENDANTS into a large dope ring
headed by Turner.
Earlier, Johnson told Judge
Pine and the jury he had
worked for Turner and was pres
lent on two occasions when Carper
accepted money from him. In one
instance, johnson said, Turner
threw a large sum of money on
the bed and Carper picked it up
before leaving his home.
Relationship Effort Cited.
Yesterday. Turner, who took
the stand in his own defense,
testified that johnson told him
Of an effort "to get" former Chief
of Police Robert j. Barrett and
former District Commissioner
John Russell Young.
Turner testified in the U. S.
District Court for the District Of
Columbia that he spoke with
Johnson last March. The lat
ter had just finished testimony
before the Senate Crime Commit
tee investigating District rackets.
The conversation. he said, re-
vealed that "they were out to get
Barrett and John Russell Young
and that Bucklejaws was going
to be all right.
"They all knew about Odessa
Odessa Madre, convicted dope
peddler paying Barrett $4,000
month. Buck was talking about
Barrett crossing Odessa. She Was
going to get even and tell it aIl.
There was something about tPo-
lice Lt) Shimon trying to get
Odessa to tell it all before the
grand jury"
Denies Operations.
Turner denied that he ever had
anything to do with narcotics or
the million dollar dope ring he is
suspected of heading.
Under stiff questioning, he de-
MED paying off Carper or assist
ing fund collection to pay of
any police officer.
However, Turner did admit on the
stand that he had gambled with
Harry Tantillo. suspected chief of
a New York City narcotics dis
Itribution ring, who is still fuga-
tive. He confirmed testimony by
another defendant, Louis Carrado.
that the latter, accompanied by
Richard Manfredonia, also under
trial. and Tantillo visited his
Washington home.
Earlier, johnson told the court
that during the visit the men dis
cussed the price of heroin,
Turner said he had gambled
, steadily for the past 10 years and
: that, for the most part. he made
his living at it. After his indict-
,, ment last March, he continued,
he began selling window frames.
The other defendants include
y Warren Williams. Joseph OPeter
Rabbit Smith, Sam (One-Eye)
Palmser. Eddie (Meathead) At
: kins. and Allan (Turk) Williams.
The nine men are among IA