Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-04
U. 5. Considers
Seeking New
Hughes Trial
BY the Associated Press

The Justice Department said
today it is seriously considering
the possibility Of seeking a new
trial Of Paul H. Hughes on per-
jury charges.
1.-THE whole transcript will be
studied with that in view," a.
department spokesman said.
Hughes was freed yesterday
after a Federal court jury in
New York acquitted him on two
counts of a perjury indictment
and said it was "hopelessly dead
locked" on four other counts.
Hughes, 35-year-old Air Force
veteran. had been charged with
lying to a grand jury investigat-
ing Harvey Matusow, ex-Gov-
eminent witness who recanted
an abundance Of anti-Con-
munist testimony.
Offered Information
Government witnesses said
Hughes represented himself as
a disgruntled investigator for
Senator McMarthy, Republican
Of Wisconsin, and offered to fur
nish information unfavorable to-
Senator Mccarthy. Hughes, who
is from Alexandria, Va, insisted
he had been used as a tool in a
political plot against the Wis
consin Senator.
The Justice Department
spokesman said the case was re-
garded here as important and
would be studied by the depart
ment's Internal Security Divi-
sion.
Representatives Of the Wash
Iington Post and Times Herald
had testified they checked into
information offered by Hughes
and found it full of holes.
Prominent Men Involved
Among a number Of prominent
figures who said they were taken
lin by Hughes story were Clayton
Fritchey, deputy chairman Of
the Democratic National Com
|mittee. and Joseph L. Rauh. jr.,
chairman Of Americans for DEM
Iocratic Action.
Hughes commended they knew
his information was trumped up,
but encouraged him to 60 ahead.
AS he walked out Of the court
room after his acquittal yester-
day Hughes said he would '1ook |
up Senator Mccarthy" and
make an apology for any trou- |
BILE and embarrassment ! have |
caused him."
Mccarthy Halls Acquittal
Senator Mccarthy, after hear
DING the verdict, commented:
II am very happy that Hughes
was acquitted. He was just
"a small fry in q conspir-
!acy to smear and defame me. 1t
would have been bad justice If he ]
went to jail and the rest went
free" 4 ~
The Senator said the Justice
Department now should seriously !
consider further indictments"
Mr.. Rauh had this comment on
Senator McCarthy's statement: |
II am not surprised at Nc
Carthy's use Of the decision in
the Hughes case to attempt to
rehabilitate himself. Those Of us
who dealt with Hughes did so in
the best tradition Of defenders
of the bill Of rights"
Cites Checking Of Story
Mr.. Rauh said Hughes
brought to our attention al
Legations and purported proof"
of illegal activities by Senator |
Mccarthy at time when Nc |
Carthy threatened the very |
roots Of our civil liberties" |
Hughes story was carefully |
checked and ultimately found |
to be untrue" he said. Not one |
line Of the material was ever !
utilized in any way. shape or |
form. We refused to adopt Nc
Carthy's tactics even in fight
ing Mccarthy. Had the situa-
ton been in reverse. I have no /!
doubt Mccarthy would, as he |
did many times in the past. |
have made charges without |
bothering to check the anthem |
ITCHY Of the story"
Arn.v - N,afk