Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-01
Defense Ready
AsU. 5. Rests
In Bride Trial
Prosecution Ends
After 4 Weeks Of
Poyoff Testimony
BY JACK JONAS

)
its bribery and conspiracy case
against two policemen and six
alleged gamblers.
Defense attorneys indicated
their side Of the story would take
little time to present to the jury
In U. s. District Court for the
District Of Columbia.
The defense first intended to
ask for a directed verdict Of
acquittal. but that move appeared
unlikely to succeed.
The Governments case ended
with the calling Of three minor
witnesses who testified to tech
meal details about locations,
license plates and Police Depart
ment organization.
10 Witnesses Called
Ten Government witnesses
we're called during the four
weeks of the trial so far. The
most lengthy testimony was from
Capt. Todd O. Thoman, jr.. who
was 16 days In the witness chair.
The official record Of the case
20 far covers nearly 5000 pages.
On trial are Capt. John B.
Monroe, suspended 18th pre-
cinct commander; Probationary
Detective George c. Prather.
suspended in the 18th pre-
cinct: Roger w. (Whitetop)
Simkins, SIS, colored: Albert H.
(Real Estate) Smith, IS; Charles
tGeechie Charley Anderson. 40,
colored; John Lefty Winston,
40, colored; Curtis NJ. lBozo)
Taylor, 80. colored, and Burnie
King. 20. colored.
Hear Top Officials
The jury yesterday heard from
some Of the city's top officials as
Government lawyers sought to
cement their case against the
eight men. accused in an elabo-
rate pay-off scheme to protect
the numbers racket here from
police interference.
United States Attorney Leo A..
Rover said it was he who de-
termined the length of the in
vestigation. which lasted from
November 2, 1853, until the
arrests September IA. 1854.
Gives Reasons
Giving his reasons between
numerous Interruptions by de-
Tense attorneys. Mr.. Rover de-
clared:
Because it was q case that
was going to require considerable
investigation and development.
It was case that had not
matured at that time. e. 1t
was a case from the very nature
of which other people were COM
ing into the case, in my judg-
ment. It was case into which
additional men were coming from
time to time. And so until there
was showed to me sufficient evil
dence that indicated a termina-
ton of this plan, ] kept the case
alive"
Defense Attorney Joseph Sit
nick protested that Mr., Rover
was making q speech"
Attorney John Burnett told
Judge Burnita s. Matthews that
as United States attorney, Mr..
Rover should know better than
to say some of the things he is
saying from the witness stand"
Mistrial Asked
Attorney Myron G. Enrich
asked Judge Matthews to de-
clare a mistrial on the basis Of
Mr.. Rover's testimony. The other
seven defense attorneys said
they wanted the same thing.
Judge Matthews turned down
all the motions and objections.
The defense has commended the
case lasted as long as 1t did
because the police department
was trying to trap the accused
into violating the law.
Earlier. Deputy Police Chief
Clarence H. Lutz. head Of the
Morals Division, which includes
the gambling squad, told Of his
part in the investigation.
He said that, after Capt.
Thoman first advised him
that bride attempts were being
made, he assigned Capt. John B.
Layton, head OF the Gambling
Squad, to investigate. After
that, he said, Capt. Thoman
turned over to him from time to
time sheafs Of money. Deputy
Chief Lutz said he recorded the
serial numbers each time, then
sent the money to the police
property clerk.
Capt. Thonnan testified that
more than $4,000 in bride money
passed through his hands.
Murray Testifies Briefly :.
Police Chief Robert ". Murray,
in a brief appearance as a wit
ness yesterday. said the reason
the investigation lasted as long
as it did was .'for corroborative
evidence and to find out who was
involved" n.
Witnesses who may yet be
called by the Government In
clude Inspector Lorraine r.
johnson, who took part In the
arrests last September; q repre-
sentative of TRAFFIC Director
George E. Keneipp, expected to
testify about automobile license
numbers; Assistant United States
Attorney Oliver Gasch and a
representative of the District
surveyors Office.