Evening star., 1952-03-11
CityHeads toGet
Bullock S Story
10 Grand Jury
Access to Testimony
Of Other Witnesses
Denied by Court
By james J. Cullinone

The. damaging" testimony
given in secret by Inspector Albert
!. Bullock before the grand jury
that indicted him on gambling
conspiracy charges was ordered
turned over to the District Com
missioners today.
Judge James r. Kirkland In
District Court ordered the grand
jury records opened over the pro-
tests of the veteran police officer.
ruling that Ito do otherwise would
be an abuse of discretion ard IN
furious to public interest"
The Commissioners had asked
the court for the jury records. con-
tending the information contained
therein was vital in the investiga-
ton now underway to determine
il policemen linked with the
Charles E. Nelson gambling ring
had been derelict in their duty
and brought discredit on the po-
lice department.
Other Testimony Excluded.
Judge Kirkland ruled that the
city heads could have access only
to the testimony given the grand
jury by Inspector Bullock him.
self and that other witnesses be-
fore the jury shall retain theft
veil Of secrecy"
At hearings on the Commission
ers' petition for the records last
week. Assistant Corporation Coun-
Isel Oliver Gasch told Judge Kirk
land the action was taken after q
special committee of the Bar AS
sociation learned from the District
Attorneys Office that the inspect
ors own testimony was "damag-
ing"
Judge Kirkland made it clear
in his opinion that the deciding
factor in his decision to open the
jury records was Inspector Bull
locks failure to make full dis
closure Of his testimony to Mai.
Robert v. Murray, chief of police.
After Inspector Bullock received
10 directed verdict of acquittal at
his gambling conspiracy trial last
January. Maj. Murray restored
him to duty and ordered him to
submit statement fully explain
ing all Of the circumstances that
had led to his indictment.
Statements Given Under Oath.
Later, Inspector Bullock was
called to Mat. Murray's Office and
signed another QUESTIONABLE deal
ing with the Nelson gambling
syndicate. In both statements,
given under oath. Inspector Bull
lock denied he had any af1iliation
or connection with the Nelson or.
ganization.
Although the inspector signed
q jurat as to the truth and full
disclosure Of the answers in the
questions" Judge Kirkland said.
"he testified at the hearings Of
this cause that his answers may
have been incomplete
Failure of a high-ranking Of
f1cef to submit completely to a
Superior's order Is a direct re-
buke to public interest. Where
public interest is superior to the
purpose of the secrecy of grand
jury testimony. the latter protec-
ton will be disregarded and the
minutes divulged within limits
prescribed by law. .
ITO do otherwise would be an
abuse Of discretion and injurious
to the public interest"
Didn't Testify at Trial.
Inspector Bullock did not take
the stand at his trial with IA CO.
defendants and the only inkling
Of the nature of the testimony he
may have given the grand jury
comes from his sworn statements
to Maj. Murray that he had no
connection with the Nelson organ
ization. All Of his co-defendants,
including Nelson and his wife, for
mer Homicide Squad Detective
Robert Kirby and James Lowry,
a former policeman, were con-
victed.
At last weeks hearings, AS
Sistant United States Attorney
John w. Fihelly told Judge Kirk
land that all of the Governments
competent testimony was offered
at the trial. The only thing lack
ing, he indicated. was the testi-
mony of Inspector Bullock before
the grand jury. Had the inspector
taken the stand, this testimony
could have been brought out.
Judge Kirkland said Inspector
Bullock stood in position far
different from that of a private
citizen to cloak his grand jury
testimony with continued secrecy.
The right to an Office or em-
ployment with the Government or
(See BULLOCK. Page A-2l