Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-02
Bentley Is Fighting
For His Life After
Shooting at Capitol
CONTINUED From FIRST Page

Democrats, and Ben F. Jensen,
Republican, of Iowa. were all in
satisfactory condition today.
While authorities began tight
eing the screws OH what had
been haphazard security at the
Capitol, others moved quickly to
punish the zealotS who stunned
the Nation with the most fragrant
defiance of law and order in its
legislatures history.
Trio Trapped at Door,.
Three of them, one a woman
who proudly announced q mar
tyr-like leadership Of the fan
taStic scheme, were trapped at
the door Of the gallery as they
tried to flee from quickly
aroused throng. Almost crushed
in the speedy retaliation, they
soon admitted they had pulled
the triggers Of four automatic
pistols about 80 times in q mis-
guided espousal Of independence
for Puerto Rico.
The fourth fanatic was picked
up at the Greyhound bus sta
ton hopefully buying a ticket
for New York. He denied being
involved in the shooting.
The woman, Mrs. Lolita Le-
bron, 34-year-old Divorce and
mother Of two, acted as spokes-
man just as she had led the GAL
lery outburst with shouts Of
Freedom for Puerto Rico" and
the waving of a Puerto Rican
flag as she fired her gun.
Laid rlOt in New York.
She told how they had Matched
q plot February 22-Washing-
toms Birthday-in New York to
slip into a session of Congress
and fire their gunS-aimlessly-
just fire them as good members
Of the Puerto Rican National
independence Party who would
willingly die to give their coun-
try freedom.
The Puerto Ricans revealed
the shooting was planned to
occur at the opening of the
10th Inter-American Conference
today at Caracas, Venezuela, to
attract attention to their de-
mandS for independence.
Mrs. Lebron. who said she
worked in a factory on sewing
machines" was arraigned at II
pm. yesterday with the other
three before United States Com
missioner Cyril S. Lawrence.
She and the others We're held
in 100000 bond each on charges
of assault with intent to kill.
United States Attorney Leo A.
Rover announced the case would
be presented to the grand jury
tomorrow by John Conliff. in
charge Of the Offices criminal
division. Mr.. Rover said it was
likely the presentation may be
completed in one day and the
Jury report later this week.
Three Men Arrested.
Those charged with her were
Rafael Concel Miranda, Is; An
dres Figueroa Cordero. 30. and
Irving Flores, alias Rodriguez,
81, all of New York City. TWAS
Flores who was captured in the
tight Gordon thrown around the
city and at transportation ter
minalS by police.
The charges we're presented by
Mr.. Rover. who recalled he was
on the other side of the fence
defense attorney-for Oscar Col
lazo. another member of the die
hard independence party who
was tried in the assassination
attempt on President Truman in
November, 1850.
All four were cited on five
counts. once for each of the
wounded representatives. Cor
dero shook his head negatively
when asked if he could speak
English. and Mrs. Lebron ex-
planned his plight to him.
The woman responded affirma-
lively as to whether she wanted
an attorney, and the hearing
was continued until 10 am.
March 10 to give them time to
find counsel. All were remanded
to the District jail.
Ask Bond of $4,000.
Mr.. Rover. who asked that
$4,000 bond be set on each count,
said the defendants faced pos
sible sentences of IS years each
based on the maximum possible
for five counts.
Police Chief Robert v. Muir
ray. who said all but Flores con-
fessed, said the four gave the
impression of martyism.
This became obvious even be-
fore they began talking to FBI
men, Secret Service and others
who joined in the about in
veStigation.
Note in Purse.
In the wild struggle with the
would-be assassins after the
shooting. Doorkeeper Tom Ken
manner, seized Mrs. Lebron's
purse. In it was note:
Before God and the world
my blood claims for the indie
pendence Of Puerto Rico. My
life I give for the freedom of my
country. This is a cry for vic
tory in our struggle for independ-,
ence which for more than half
a century has tried to conquer
the land that belongs to Puerto
Rico.
II state forever that the United
States of America are betraying
the sacred principles of man.
kind in their continuous sub
jugation Of my country, violat-
ing their rights to be a free ma
ton and a free people in their
barbarouS torture of our apostle