Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-10-29

Altman &c Sheryl q. S0kolik.
%. a Tilted sutton" today faces
q murder charge In connection
with the staying Of his rival DUR
ing an argument over the girl in
the unfinished Kerby Hin sub
division OF Indian Head highway
i'm Prince Georges County on
Thursday night.
Police said Sokolik yesterday
admitted. in a written statement.
that he shot william s. Birkett.
22-year-old carpenter, who lived
at A Forester street S.W., after
the pair had gone to the lonely
area near Oxon Hin High School
Ito settle their differences over the
20-year-old Forestville MIDI gin.
The girl was identified as
Lois Robey, who lives q few
doors away from the victims
lstepmother on Humphrey drive
IN Forestville Today Miss Rohey
told The star she wouldn't dis
|cuss the case,
seek Murder Weapon
Meanwhile. Prince Georges
County police were attempting
to make arrangements with
either the District police or the
Navy, to obtain . diver to comb
the door Of the Potomac, near
Memorial Bridge, for the murder
weapon, q .38-caliher revolver.
SokOlik,s confession concluded
rapid developments during q II
hour investigation. which began
when Mr.. Birkett's body was
found at about tbs pm, lying
face down in the middle Of an
Iunpayed road by a ouse-hunting
HilicreSt Heights couple.
Mr.. Birkett, a Forestville ma
tive and former student at Mary
land Park High School, had been
shot three times-through the
right temple. in the back and
left chest.
Detective Sergt. Emmett F. G..
Gray said an apparent motive
for the Staying. quickly estah-
|lished through talks with the girl
and the victims relatives. led
police to the arrest Of Sokolik
at his room In D residence In the
|2lo0 block, Of Minnesota avenue
Sc. about seven hours after the
body was found.
The tall. slender airman, de-
scribed only as q; guard at q
top security Government in-
stallation in Washington. re-
manned composed throughout
lengthy questioning by Detective
1t. Earl J.. Huber. who arrested
the suspect in cooperation with
District detectives and Thomas
j. Weeks. an agent Of the Mill
|tary Once Of Special Investiga-
lions. 4
Police said Sokolik at first de-
MED the Staying, but finally adj
Imitted he remembered firing at
least two shots witha .3e-caliber
revolver into Mr.. Birkett after
the carpenter lunged at him dur
ing q scufie In the argument
over the girl.
Report ON Revelations
III. Huber said sokolik, whose
home Is In Arlington, Iowa. gave
this account Of events leading
lup to the shooting:
Sokolik dated the Fprestville
Igirl from last November to last
August. when she ended the
Friendship because Mr.. Birkett,
whom she formerly dated. had
received his discharge from the
Air Force and returned home.
Last Saturday Sokolik was
cruising the Forestville area
when he noticed Mr.. Birkett's
car in front Of the girls home.
He waited and followed Mr..
Birkett to his. apartment. shared
with a brother. e. Arnold Birkett.
On Thursday night he drove
again to the apartment and
waited until Mr.. Birkett left to
keep a date with the girl.
AS Mr.. Birkett got into his
car Sokolik slipped into the front
seat with him. He had q revolv-
Ter he had purchased from a mail
order house tucked under his
belt He showed Mr.. Birkett the
lgun and told him he wanted to
talk about the girl.
Mr.. Birkett drove out South
Capitol street onto Indian Head
highway and parked the car IN
IF