Evening star., 1952-12-06
Narcotics Trial S
Death Threat
Record Played
Defense Contends
Stutic Drowned
Conversation

What was supposed to be a re-
corded death threat, complete
with soft background music, was
replayed yesterday in the office
of United States Attorney Charles
NJ Irelan.
The decision to play the re-
cording was made by District
Judge David A. Pine, presiding in
the Randolph (Catf1sh) Turner
narcotics conspiracy trial. to cor
roborate testimony by two in
formers that Turner had threat
ened their lives if they testified
against him.
Principals in the futuristic
drama that employed Lilliputian
one-way broadcasting set were
Turner, Nellie Leach and her boy
friend, Herbert Buckle jaws
johnson, all colored.
Johnson and the woman. ad-
mitted dope peddlers, met Turner
in the Turf Club in the 1900 block
U street NV. a night spot. to
attempt to learn for the prosecu-
tion what they could about
Turner, said to be head OF the
Districts biggest dope syndicate
Carried Hidden Sets.
They came equipped with a
Smith device a small trans
mltting set. Johnson said he had
one hidden inside his coat and
Nellie testified she had hers in
her cloth purse.
The seven defense lawyers and
three prosecutors. with Judge
Pine, listened to the playback.
About the only thing agreed upon
was that a juke-box version OF
blue Tango" and an unidentified
song by Crooner Johnny Ray,
were faithfully recorded.
The heart of the matter, a quote
by johnson and Nellie Leach that
Turner said. If you testify you
will get the same thing Arnold
Schuster got was lost in static.
defense lawyers contended.
MI. Schuster was shot to death
March 8 for telling police the
whereabouts of gangSter Willie
(the Actor Sutton.
Mr.. Irelan's assistant, Thomas
A. Walden, jr., had testified a.
sound truck, manned by Federal
Narcotics Agents Thomas Andrew
and James Gross, was parked
outside the club. receiving the
message sent by the amazing de-
vice.
Continuous Music.
Under examination, Mr. Wad-
den said the record would back up
statements by johnson and Leach
that the threat on their lives had
taken place on the night of March
IA, in the night club.
Nellie Leach. had admitted that
a juke box was playing almost
constantly while she was seated
at a table talking to Turner and
johnson.
However. second recording,
made in Mr.. Waddens Office i'm
mediately after the two returned
from the Turf Club, was cut. This
recorded testimony was almost
word for word the same as that
both gave on the stand at the
outset of trial, nearly four weeks
ago.
lhe record was played at de-
Tense request m an effort to reout
the damaging testimony given by
Bucklejaws and his girl friend.
Defense Rests.
Trial for the nine defendants is
expected to end. probably, Tues
day. The defense rested yes
terday, after being unsuccessful,
in their efforts to get Esther
Wright, girl friend of Joseph
(Peter Rabbit) Smith, a defendant,
to testify for the defense.
She already had appeared as a
prosecution witness.
On trial with Turner and Smith
are Richard Manfredonia and
Lawrence Carrado. both of New
York City; Sam (One-Eye) Pal
mer, Warren Williams, Allan
(Turk) Williams, Eddie Atkins
and Leon James.
Earlier in the day, Judge Pine |
granted a motion quashing sub
poena directing Police 1t. H. H.
Carper to appear as a defense wit
ness.
The former head of the Mar
cotics Squad was excused because
he, himself is facing trial on
charges of taking a bribe from
Turner and conspiracy to violate
the narcotics laws. Pending be-
fore the court is a motion by
Carper for a change of venue of
his trial. set for December Is.