Evening star., 1960-01-01
Sheriff Probes
TearGassiingof
Rowdy Youths
BY JAMES B. ROWLAND
star STAN Writer

Prince George County Sher-
III J. Lee Ball has asked for q
complete written report on cir
cumstances surrounding use of
tear gas to queIl flve rowdy
teen-age prisoners.
Meanwhile, one of the youths
today remained on the critical
list at Prince Georges General
Hospital suffering from a sore
throat and "gas poisoning"
The boy, John N. Coakley,
jr., 1S, of Bladensburg, has
been in an oxygen tent, as has
Robert Magill. 18, Of Bladens-
burg, who is listed in fair
condition.
Coakley escaped one, and he
and Magill made an attempt
to fee the Jail three weeks ago.
The hospital also listed as
fair the condition of two other
boys, John @. Pyles. l8, Of
Maryland Park. and Lawrence
Scarboro, I8, Of Baltimore. The
NTH boy, James Pugh, le, or
Carmody Hills, remained in the
jail with a sore throat.
Sheriff Ball said he is not
sure when he will receive the
full report on Mondays Incl
dent in which a tear gas gre
made Of 25-35 seconds duration
was opened to quiet the boys.
Cold Water Bath Fails
They had flooded their second
floor cell block, screamed ours.
es, and banged the cell door
before being taken down to a
small drunk cell. Stripped Of
their clothes, the boys were
given a cold water hose bath,
Sheriff Ball said.
When this failed to quiet
the youths, the sheriff said he
authorized two guards and four
deputies to use tear gas. A
container was obtained from
the county police substation a
block away and placed in the
hallway outside the drunk cell,
Members Of the Upper Marl-
boro Volunteer Fire Depart
ment, called to clear the fumes,
said there was no outside ven
tilation for the small cell. They
entered the area with gas
masks and said the five youths
were not removed from the
cell for about Is or 20 minutes
The boys became violently i'll
according to Sheriff Ball. He
said they were given back their
clothes and returned to the
cell block.
Put Fan to Work
Firemen said they worked an
hour with q smoke ejector fan
to clear the area around the
drunk cell and other parts OF
the building.
Other prisoners were moi
noticably affected By the fumes
A spokesman for the sheriff's
office said the four deputies
learned how to handle tear gas
while in the armed services. Nc
further training is given depu.
ties In such weapons.
Tear gas has been used in.
side buildings without person,
becoming sick from fumes, ac-
cording to Geofrey Oberdick
area manager for Federal Lab
oratories Inc. The firm supplies
tear gas to the county police
He said tear gas alarms are
used in banks and jewelry
stores to ward on would bt
hold-up men and that no one
becomes violently sick when ar
alarm is discharged acciden.
tally.
Mr.. Oberdick said the effect
of the gas on the eyes, nose and
skin depends entirely on how
big a dose a person receives. He
emphasized he was not familiar
with the jail episode. but die
say skin irritation is provoked
If the body is wet, or even Il
perSpiration is present.
Nationwide Use
The gas is used in prisons
throughout the country to stor
riots and quiet violent prison.
erS. Mr.. Oberdick said.
Sheriff Ball said a chest
X-ray made of Coakley in No.
vember showed his condition tc
be clear and normal" The
check was made when it was
learned the youth had been ir
contact with a tuberculosi.
carrier.
1t was during this X-raJ
check that Coakley escaped. He
was recaptured the following
night He and Magill tried to eS.
cape the jail December IL after
seizing a guard. Another jailel
called police, who thwartec
their fight.
Herbert w. Reichelt, presi.
dent Of the county commits.
sioners, said his board has NJ
plans to investigate Monday!
incident. He said the sheriff il
an elected official and in charge
of the Jail.