Evening star., 1952-07-17
Murray 10 See West
On Legal Questions
Wolf Case Presented

Wolf Case Presented
Police Chief Robert v. Murray
said today he will confer with
Corporation Counsel Vernon West
on the legal questions raised by
the special trial board in the
case Of 1t. Jacob Wolf.
1t. Wolf. chief Of the auto squad
until his transfer yesterday. was
cleared by the civilian trial board
Of auto gray market charges.
Cites Lack Of Evidence.
At the same time, however, the
board made it clear that its de-
cision was based on lack of evi-
dence. 1t went so far as to say
that If all the evidence relating
to 1t. VOLTS alleged 10 car trans
actions had been obtained and
presented to the board "a differ
ent recommendation might rea-
sonably and conceivably have
been reached"
The board coupled that with a
recommendation that some Dis
trict department should be made
responsible for investigating and
getting evidence to be submitted
to the trial board on charges pre-
ferred against policemen.
Chief Murray took the view that
1t was up to the prosecutor pre-
senting the case to the trial board
to request police to run down ad-
ditional evidence If he wanted it.
He pointed out that method is fol-
lowed in court cases, after the
original evidence has been OBJ
tanned.
He added that in the past, police
have gotten enough evidence for
presentation to trial boards to re-
suit In numerous dimissals from
the force.
West States Views.
Mr.. West said the police were
supposed to make the investiga-
tions. AS a rule, he said, his Of
flee takes the evidence given to it,
although sometimes police are
asked for more information.
Mr.. West said he favored Com
missioner F. Joseph Donohue's
proposal for an investigative staff
attached to the Commissioners
that would handle Investigations
within the various District de-
partmentS.
Chief Murray said he also
wanted to discuss with Mr.. West
the effects of the Wolf trial
boards decision to bar the officers
testimony before the Senate Dis
trict Crime Committee. It was
his admission there that he had
made profit on his car sales that
resulted in charges being placed
against him.
Other Cases Pending.
At least two other cases are
now pending because Of testimony
before the crime committee-the
cases Of Inspectors Albert I. Bull
lock and Beverly Beach. Both have
been suspended and their cases
are now under study in the cor
poration counsel's Office.
Chief Murray wants to know
If their Capitol testimony will be
ruled out should they be brought
before q trial board.
Mr.. West, on that score, said
he did not know how much evi-
dence police have on these cases
outside Of what showed up in the
crime committee hearings.
He said the trial boards ruling
set a precedent but was not bind
ing. In court, he said. one Judge
can take one view of the law and
another judge will view the law
differently. The same, he said,
Is true Of trial boards.
Wolf Is Transferred.
The trial boards recon-
mendation against disciplinary
action in the Wolf case came at
noon yesterday. A short time
later, Chief Murray transferred
1t. Wolf to the pawn inspectors
office as officer in charge and re-
placed him with 1t. Michael j.
Mahaney, who had headed the
pawn Office.
II now feel" said Chief Murray.
shat in the best interest of all
concerned and in fairness to 1t.
Wolf q change Of assignment is
now desirable"