Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-06
Hoffo Jury

uVIIO July
I was a member Of the
Federal jury in the recent
Hoffa case wherein he was
indicted by a grand jury on
charges of conspiracy. brib-
cry and obstructing a con-
gressional inve zig alton.
Since the conclusion Of the
trial 1 have read the local
and various daily newspapers
and magazine accounts
concerning this case and
I am appalled, and dis
mayed at the sketchiness
and inaccuracies reported to
the public by the fourth
estate.
At the onset OF the trial
this jury was instructed by
the Honorable Burnita Shell
ton Matthews not to read.
listen on television or radio.
or discuss anything about
this case with any member of
the jury or with anyone else.
and I can truthfully say that
this was obeyed to the nth
letter. II any individual had
been in court he would have
observed that we were a seri-
Gus and attentive jury. care
fully listening to the facts
> presented by the Govern
ment and defense.
After the case was under
way for two weeks, the court
ordered the jury confined to
the courthouse for the dura-
ton Of the case, without dis
closing the reason. but every
member agreed that Judge
Matthews had every good
reason and authority to do
so. In fact. at the conclusion
Of the trial. 1t was the con-
seAsus Of the jury that it
was the best thing that could
have happened in view Of the
verdict reached. I'll wager
the President Of the United
States Is more accessible than
this jury was during this
period. Even while 1t slept
1t was attended by deputy
marshals. who incidentally
are the greatest" In fact,
we were so closely watched
that any newspapers or other
printed matter we read were
first censored and any al
lusions to the trial were ex-
cised.
] am sure that the Gov
eminent would have been
proud Of this Jury II 1t could
have heard 1t celebrating.
This case was very carefully
weighed in every respect,
every member being mindful
Of his Governments position
and a mans freedom beyond
a reasonable doubt.
Now, as to the frequent
references to the predomi-
nately Negro jury, I am one
OF the white jurors. We were
closely associated for one
month, and for two weeks we
lived, ate and did everything
together. Never once was
there a reference to color.
The Jurors behaved and acted
like Gods children, called
upon to perform a duty.
There was only a passing
comment about Joe Louis
presence in the courtroom.
Just as there was to many
prominent white spectators
present during the trial. It
is an insult to anyone's in
telligence, let alone to the
jury's. to say that he made a
good defense attorney. AS
for the various prominent
Negroes greeting Mr.. Hoffa
and shaking hands with him,
as reported In Drew Pearson's
recent column. this was never
done in the presence Of the
jury; not one member ever
saw this. I would like to
stress that no spectator, as
Mr.. Pearson should fully we'll
know. was permitted to leave
or move from the courtroom
until the jury filed out first.
! do not believe that anyone
or any jury, whether mixed.
all Negro, all white or blue
ribbon, who had listened to
the testimony and evidence
offered in the court every sin
gle day, who applied the law.
the judges instructions and
charge, and used the common
sense that he does in every
day living, could have brought
ip different verdict--a YER
dict which would have estab-
lished guilt beyond a reason
able doubt.
II. on the basis Of what this
jury heard as evidence, any
individual in Gods world
maintains that our verdict
was a miscarriage Of justice
/ would like to Join Robert