Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-31
Untried Prosecutors
Hampering Justice,
Judge Tells Rover
By ChorIes G. Brooks


The Municipal Court should be
stated with more experienced
assistant United States attor-
neys to improve the administra-
ton of justice. Chief Judge
Leonard P. Walsh of the court
declared last night.
The jurist's opinion came, it
was learned, after United States
Attorney Leo A. Rover went to a
meeting of Police Court judges
to ask what his Office could do
to increase the very low per-
centage of convictions in in
decent assault cases and cases
of soliciting for lewd and i'm
moral purposes.
Apparently greatly alarmed
over the percentage of convic-
tions in these cases-under 40
per cent-Mr. Rover asked
meeting of the judges. more than
a week ago, what techniques or
procedures in his Office could be
altered to present the cases
better.
Not Optimistic.
Judge Walsh, however, indi-
Gated that very little could be
done under the present circum-
stances.
The jurist said last night he
told Mr.. Rover it would be more
than helpful if more expert
enced men were assigned to the
prosecutors Office at Municipal
Court.
Don't get me wrong" the
Judge cautioned. II like them
all. but that isn't the problem.
The assistants assigned here
are usually just starting out in
aw. They are inexperienced.
Il suggested that some of
them get their initial experience
in the U. S. District Court for
the District of Columbia and
then come to the Police Court.
Mr.. Rover replied that would
not be feasible"
Good Word for Wood.
But, Judge Walsh said, I'VE
certainly could use some more
men like Kenneth Wood lin
charge of the Police Court divi-
sion of the United States at
torney's Office -
He said he already had heard
that the assistant in charge
when Mr.. Wood is gone is about
to be transferred to the Federal
Court.
AS soon as they are broken in,
they are transferred" the jurist
said.
Speaking again of the indecent
assault and soliciting cases,
Judge Walsh pointed out that
one reason the conviction rate is
low is that the Appellate Courts
have built "a wall of protection"
around the defendants.
The trial Judge is obliged TO
give a great deal of consideration
to the testimony of the defendant
and his character witnesses.
Great Responsibility.
Its a great responsibility to
sit on the bench and listen to
those cases." Judge Walsh said.
Why not give US experienced
men to present those cases?"
Judge Walsh emphasized it is
just as important to an individ-
ual defendant when he gets 20
days in the lower court as it is
to an individual who gets two
years in Federal Court.
Meanwhile, Police Morals Di-
vision detectives say they ''feel
embarrassed to make these ar
rests"
One detective. with an excel
lent police record, pointed out
a recent case thrown out of Mu-
nicipal Court by a directed YER
dict. He would not be quoted
by name in order to protect him
self.
The defendant, the officer
said, was arrested shortly after
ward for molesting a 12-year-
old schoolboy, but the charge
was dropped for want of prose-
cution. The parents, the detec-
tive continued, feared the pub
licity.
I'm getting out" the detec-
tive said, lust as soon as I save
enough money to invest in
small restaurant
Its not worth it"