The New York herald., 1869-04-30

Verdict OF the Coroner's Jury-Ofnccr Hem
nc-sey nnd ERRan Held.

Verdict OF the Coroner's Jury-Ofnccr Hem
ncssey and ERRan Held.
The inguest before Coroner whitehill touching the
circumstances attending the death Of the late James
Iiaggerty, wealthy resident OF Brooklyn, was con-
cludcd at late hour on Wednesday night The
deceased. II will be remembered, was arrested on
charge OF ntoxication on the evening OF tho 18th
instant by olcer fIennessey, OF the Fortythird pre-
clnct and was placed In a cell IN the Butler street
station house. where he was found dead the follow
ing morning. The investigation occupied the at
tention OF the Coroner and District Attorney
for several days. during which time large number
OF witnesses were examined, and the testimony
showed that the deceased had been thrust out OF the
liquor saloon kept by Dennis N. Eagan corner OF
smith Union streets, aud fell upon the back Of
his head that subsequently he was taken into Gus
tody by the police onlcer In question. who as al
legged, tapped him on the head three times" with ms
club.
the testimony ~ detail, aud Tue following veruict
rendered.
That the deceased. James Haggerty, came to his
travasated blood, caused by rupture OF the menin
gea vessels veins or membranes OF the brain.
through violence received upon the head nj the
hands OF Dennis NJ. Eagan and John Hcunessy. And
the Jury further find that Captain Rhodes, Ia not
snn s oa e =, case a
IN permitting the blood TO be removed from the cell
and directing the blood TO be washed from the body
ble Indifference and was guilty OF gross neglect OF
duty In thus removing evidence OF personal vio-
ence: that In not instituting an immediate aud
thorough investigation into all tue facts con-
pcctcd with the cause OF death as well IA to
wnat occurred inside and outside the station
house, captain Rhodes manifested an utter disregard
OF hrs Imperative duty; that sergeant Ferry dd not
make careful an examination OF the condition OF
the deceased when brought 10 the station house as
he should have done, the deceased being In help
less condition vt the tlme that sergeant Meeks, in
not examining the condition Of the deceased when
he saw him IN the position he did during the night
and not sending for hysician. one being near tue
station. when he examined MIN al twenty minutes
past four O'Clock he having doubts as to whether he
was dead not, appears by hrs questions TO
Captain Rhodes was guilty OF inexcusabe neglect
of hs plain duty: that ofllcer ConDors violated
his duty In not reporting the fact that he
saw blood ON the back part OF the head Of
deceased when taken To the station house. Tie
Jury refrain from expressing an opinion to
the degree Of criminal neglect, II any, the parties
connected with the station house. and not included
missions ana omissions. The Jury, however. IN con
cltision, regret TO lie compelled 10 say that the
evidence establishes the TACT that prisoners are fire.
quentiy treated with the greatest brutality and in
humanity while In the station house without the
slightest excuse OF necessity. Persons guilty Of no
beaten by the officers whose duty 1t Ia TO protect
them, and are then thrown IN the cells "a II they
were the Ncst OF brtites, with nothing but the bare
moor 10 lie upon, while others taken the station
house In an insenslbe and dying condition, with
evidence of violence upon tlcm are laid upon the
bare stones or thrown In the cells Ike dogs, anu
thus. In many instances left TO die without med cal
heads with clubs. the brutality practised IN the sa
ton house, as revealed In this investigation. ae
dlsgracefui in the extreme, and should he s'opU"t
at once.