JUSTICE CONSIDERS
TO
Stephen J, O'Brien's Counsel Points Out State's
Lack of Evidence
CASE HAS BEEN GIVEN
SEVEN CONTINUANCES
SEATTLE, Nov. 7—(UP)—Justice
William Hoar today had the oft-
postponed graft case against Stephen J. O'Brien, Tacoma attorney,
under advisement. The judge said
after the brief hearing yesterday
he "was inclined to agree" with
O'Brien's attorney's motion for dismissal for lack of evidence.
O'Brien was charged with accepting $70 from a "John Doe"
McWade on a promise to influence
Seattle officials to permit operation of illegal slot machines.
The state presented four witnesses. The motion for dismissal
was made when the state said
McWade could not be located.
Justice Hoar said he believed
there was sufficient evidence to require O'Brien to explain what
the money was paid for, but that
the state's case was not very
strong.
The case has been postponed
seven times-