Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1952-12-26


Of years, was broken last week
(Catfish) Turner, along with
New York suppliers, were four
the District court.
The conviction. after 1871 hours
Of jury elaboration, brought a
dramatic end to a trial which has
been in progress for five weeks
The decision brought TO a climax
the largest dope conspiracy case
ever tried in the District OF Col
umbia.
These seven top figures who
supplied Washington addicts with
q million dollars worth of heroin
capsules a year ago were found
guilty on all six counts in the in
dictment.
They will remain In Jail until
their sentences have been an
nounced by Judge David A. Pine.
Under the law. each could receive
up to 20 years in prison.
Found guilty along with Turner
were Lawrence Carrado and
Richard Manfredonia, white sup
pliers from New York. said to
have fed the ring bulk heroin in
80 ounce lots.
"Catfish's" top heutenants also
found guilty were Joseph peter
Rahbit) Smith. Eddie (Meathead)
Atkins, and Leon James. The
Jury found Allan (INrk) williams
guilty Of buying large quantities
Of dope from "CatfIsh", but asked
IenIency for him because he was
said not TO have been in the In
mar circle.
Two small fry operators, War
rem Williams and Zone Eye) Sam
Palmer. were acquitted by the
lury.
The members OF the dope ring
were indicted by the grand jury
after their operation had bsen ex-
posed by a senate crime inveSti-
eating committee, headed by Sen
Estes Kefauver, several months
ago. Four Of the major witnesses
In the trial were former members
OF the gang
Among these witnesses was
Paul Robins who had once served
a. Catfish" Turner'S executive
assistant" He testified that his
business was to pick up stuff
from Carrado or Manfredonia or
the "Boas' Harry Tantilla, a fu-
Kitive in the case. and deliver II
70 James Atkins, Smith and Turk
Williams.
The gang held monthly bust
ness meetings at Turner'S house.
he said. and discussed prices and
the quality Of their dope and paid
their $50 monthly protection fee
70 be passed on to Lieut.. II. II.
Camper, suspended head Of the
narcotics squad, he testified.
He said ne had the terrible"
dope habit and had been persuad-
ed by his grandmother to sing.
Two other states witnesses and
former dope peddlers were Her
bert (Buckiejaws) johnson and
his girl friend. Nellie Leach. Both
were important witnesses in the
Kefauver hearings.
Nellie and Bucklejaws were ar
rested last November after having
paid police protection. Nellie said
she was so disturbed about the
shake-d0wn that she became an
Informer after being released
from Jail.
Claiming that he had been put
Co the spot by NeHle's singing"
BunkIe laws said there was no
thlng else for him 60 do hut "Join
the chorus" Because he already
had . long criminal record, ~
said ~ could not stand any per-
lury charges
Robinson. johnson and Miss
Leach all pleaded guilty IN dope
on seperate charges and are now
awaiting their sentences. Because
Of threats having been made upon
johnson and Miss Leach, the two
are constantly under police guard.
II u recalled that when
''BuckIejaws" johnson was testi-
fyinR before the senate committee
. caIl IL said 10 have been made
10 the chief counsel urging him %
take sBucklstawS'' off the stand
because ne was about 10 Be shot
Quietly the witness was dismissed
from the stand without the spec
tators ever realizing what had
happened
The fourth witness IN the dope
trial was Esther Wright who told
TIE jury that she had become an
ADDICT after going % live with
Peter Rabbit and mixing dOpe for
him and placing n IN capsules for
retail sales
sAs tipped off federal agents
after having o brawi with her
hover. sbs vas made . oo-dsfsnd-
ent IN TIE case but won . dianis-
M and became . presenting wit
nema
Defense lawyers referred 10