Evening star., 1953-10-30
Trial Of Policeman
Accused by MOtOrist
Is Delayed 10 Monday

A Prince Georges County po-
lice private is scheduled to go
to court Monday to answer
charges of assault with a dan
gerous weapon.
Meanwhile, the officer, Pvt.
E. w. Rupert, has been suspend
ed until the case is disposed of.
The officer originally was
scheduled to come to trial this
morning in HyattSville Police
Court, but the University Of
Maryland student who lodged
the charge asked more time to
obtain witnesses.
In Civilian Clothes.
The student, Walter H. Heeley,
jr., %, of the 1900 block of
Drexel road, College Park. was
arrested by the policeman who
at the time was in civilian
clothes and riding in an un-
marked car.
The case is the second in the
county questioning the propriety
of arrests under such circum-
stances.
Trial Magistrate Nita S. Hin
man Crane is expected to rule
on the other case in Upper Marl-
boro today. The American Au-
tomobile Association and Attor-
ney John S. White of Prince
Georges have asked Judge Crane
to declare the practice illegal.
Bullet Hits Car.
Pvt. Rupert, attached to the
Hyattsville station, is charged
with firing three shots from his
service revolver while chasing a
car driven by Mr.. Heeley. Two
bullets were fired into the air.
The third hit the cars trunk.
No one was injured.
Mr.. Heeley obtained q war;
rant in Upper Marlboro, a few
hours before a jury in Circuit
Court acquitted him of speeding
but found him guilty of running
through a red light. Judge
Charles c. Marbury imposed a
$25 fine.
The case had its inception just
before midnight last May "a.
Pvt. Rupert. in civilian clothes
and riding with his family in his
own car, tried to stop Mr.. Heeley
when the latter allegedly disre-
garded a stop light at New
Hampshire avenue and the East
West highway.
Pvt. Rupert testified yesterday
that he drove alongside Mr.. Hee-
ley'S car twice as it sped down
Ager road and Lancer drive. at
times going SIS to so miles an
hour in 30-mile zone. The Of
ficer said he switched on the
dome light of his car and held
his badge out the window in an
effort to convince Mr.. Heeley he
was a police officer.
The policeman said he fol-
lowed Mr.. Heeley'S car, saw it
pass another red light and finally
arrested Mr.. Heeley outside his
home.
Pvt. Rupert said he fired the
shots on Ager road. He used his
pistol. he testified. because he
believed the car he was chasing
was a stolen vehicle.
Appealed $50 Fine.
Charges of reckless driving.
crossing a double white line,
speeding and passing red light
were lodged against Mr.. Heeley.
In HyattSville Police Court he was
cleared of the first two accusa-
ton but was convicted of the
others and fined a total Of $50
He appealed to the Circuit Court.
Mr.. Heeley testified yesterday
that he did not stop because he
thought Pvt. Rupert was an
angry motorist trying to halt
him to avenge some fancied
grievance. He said he heard two
shots but believed at the time
that the noise was caused by
backf1res from passing vehicles.
While his appeal was pending.
Heeley and his father, who
lives at the Drexel road address,
filed complaints with the county
police department and the
county commissioners.
When no action was taken,
the HeeleyS told reporters, they
decided to lodge the charge
against Pvt. Rupert "as a mat
ter Of justice"