View source for Scott Awaits Rover Memo in Morals Case, Evening Star (Article, April 1954)

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Scott Awaits Rover Memo in Morals Case

Judge Postpones Trial, But Suspect Then Pleads Guilty

By Charles G. Brooks

Municipal Court Judge Armond W. Scott today refused to hear a case involving soliciting for lewd and immoral purposes until after he has a chance to study a memorandum on morals cases now being prepared by the United States Attorney's office.

Forty-five minutes after Judge Scott continued the case until tomorrow, the defendant's attorney, Meredith C. Coffman, returned to the courtroom and pleaded Melvin L. Seese, 27, of Pittsburgh, guilty.

Judge Scott's refusal to hear the case case after United States Attorney Leo A. Rover and Municipal Court Judge Milton S. Kronheim, jr., exchanged sharp commentaries on the trials of suspected homosexuals here.

Objected to Complaint.

Judge Kronheim objected to Mr. Rover appearing at a recent meeting of the Board of Judges and complaining about low rate of morals convictions. The jurist said the action was improper.

Mr. Rover announced he was preparing a report reviewing appellate court decisions in morals cases and that he would send each judge a copy. Mr. Rover declared that certain judges had "innocently misconstrued or misread" the decisions.

Would Await Memorandum.

After being informed of the nature of the charge today, Judge Scott, however, declared that "I'm one judge who would like to have a chance to digest it" before trying this case "if the Government insists on going ahead with the trial."

Mr. Coffman objected, declaring his client is entitled to immediate trial.

Judge Scott overruled the attorney and asked Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Stevas if the memorandum would be ready by tomorrow. Mr. Stevas said he believed part of it would, although Mr. Rover later said it would be next week.

Continued Case.

"We will continue the case until tomorrow then," decided Judge Scott.

"That's over my objection, your honor," said Mr. Coffman.

"Yes, I thought you were going to say over your dead body."

Later, when Mr. Coffman pleaded Seese guilty, he asked Judge Scott to impose a light fine on his client.

Judge Scott, however, declared he would have a to impose a substantial fine, commenting that "these people are more to be pitied than censured, but something has got to be done."

The jurist fined Seese $250 or an alternative of 90 days in jail.

Morals Division Detective Louis Fochett arrested Seese near Twelfth street and Massachusetts avenue N.W. yesterday.