The New York herald., 1872-09-20
THE P0L1CEMAN's LOCUST.

An Old Man Charged with n Deadly As-
sault Upon q Police Oficer--EIis Prompt
Acquittal by the Jury-VVarning to Po-
licemen Who Abuse Their Authority
Judge Bedford to tho Police COmnis-
si0ncrs. a
case OF more than ordinary Importance came
up In the General Sessions yesterday before City
Judge Bedford, In which not only the entire police
force OF the Metropolitan district are interested,
but the citizens Of New York and Brooklyn; for the
verdict OF the jury was direct and unequivocal
condemnation Of police oficer, who, 1t seemed,
transcribed his authority by wanton and un-
necessary assault upon peaceable citizen.
An aged and apparently an inOfrcnsive man
named william Dunn was charged with perpetrat-
ing felonious assault with an axe upon Patrick
Gnley OF the Eleventh precint, on the night OF the
18th Of August, in Drydock street, near the house
of the accused. tfn" L,I
THE OFFICERS ACCOUNT
OF the anair was that while on post citizen com.
planned that Dunn was annoying his men and
would not let them work; that he spoke to him
and he DUNN told him he was going home and
went into his house; that soon after he came out
with teacup in his hand and asked him tthe OIL.
cer) to have drink; that he the oficer) told him
II he did not go in he would slick" him, and pro.
ceeded up the street, followed by Dunn, whereupon
o little boy shouted, HE has got an axe - Dunn
made dow at the 0f1Cor, hm In the hand.
which caused 1t to bleed prOfusely; he held on to
Dunn until three officers came to his assistance.
ss.ExAMrNATrON
Cinlcy said that "iaddy the Horse" was o nick.
name Which he had, and positively stated that
there was not blow struck by him on any part OF
the body OF Dunn. ls g .uIf.
Onlcer Saul also swore that Dunn was not
wounded tl 'lff
THE TESTIMONY OF THE DEFENDANT
and his witnesses presented different picture.
Dunn stated that he had worked in the iron busi-
for Vnara alnA f.nf vntfh
occurrence, which was very warm, he had returned
from High Bridge with his children and was sitting
ing his pipe, when he remarked to two boys who
were ON wagon, There ere, Is Paddy the Horse and
that the officer heard the words, which were nos
used to wound his feelings for lie crossed the
street In great excitement and said, "Damn your
SOUL will put that club down your throat and
break your skull f" Dunn apologized, whereupO1
Gnley struck him upon the arm, rendering II
powerless, and hit hlm on the legs. He crawled
into the house aud soon after a shutter fell
down or glass door, Ginley showed his hand
Dunn opened the door the officer struck him over
the eye, inicting severe wound, the traces OF
which & he exhibited h to the Jury; Dunn staggered
strike him with It, The other officers came up aud
tore his shirt sleeve. Dunns wounds were dressed
was dressed. The accused produced the shirs
which he wore on the night in question, which was
exhibited to the jury, and appeared to be
STIFF WITH GORE,
and Dunn said the blood on 1t came from the beat
Ing which the Ofiicer administered. The defendants
evidence was confirmed by William Bonner who
said that the officer cubbed Dunn brutally, and q
Mrs. Mulnoland swore that the prisoner was sit
ting at his own door Ito use her expresson) 'as
quiet as nature,r when the oficer threatened to
put his club down his throat. The most important
piece OF evidence however in favor OF the prisoner
was the testimony of '-ablfsl
-n.f elf DR.. MEALS, t-
who saw Dunn shortly after he was taken to tho
Tombs. The doctor said the old man was fearfully
beaten; his back legs, arms and head were COW
cred with bruises and there scar over his eye.
NJ IL hrtn hnt ,ffun To-
Dunn followed by Assistant District Attorney
Stewart, who claimed conviction.
dence, and the jury after few moments deIibera-
ton, rendered verdict OF not guilty This deci
sion na al % ms. w the hsry OF
After the rendition Of the verdict Judge Bedford
ordered 0nlcer Giney to the bar and addressed
him as folows:--"The jury having acquitted the
prisoner In this case necessarily believed his story
and discredited your testimony This IL q most i'm
privileges OF noceman. but also the rights Of the
private citizen. While have always, In my onl-
cal capacity stood by the Metropolitan Police as
trustworthy, Yet have always deemed il equally
my duty to take the part OF private citizen when
ever the proof showed he was wrOnged by p0ce-
man in the abuse Of his authority. Iieel called
upon In behalf Of the Police Department, as well
IN sn S 81 to s
iieye that they Win act promptly ia accordance
After the adjournment OF the Court Judge Bed.
ford addre ssed the following to the Board Of
Police Commissioners rrrff Z,
CrrY CoUSrY OF NEW YoRk, }
CouRr or GENERAL SESSIONS OF THE PEAcE,
f..r. CLERKS OFFICE, Sept 10 1871 }
To rHr HoS iHs Board OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS or
Gnsrtrszs-on the trial OF an indictment against
William Dunn, for assault aud battery with intent TO
Xiii who was acquitted by the IL appeared from tho
esilmony that officer Patrick Ginley Of the Eleventh
precinct who the complainant against DUNN,
guilty unnecessary violence towards Dunn ~ striking
him with his club, causing the assault by Dunn
planned by the officer think II calls for an inyestga
tion by your Commission Of the conduct Of the oicer
'"-' CUNNING g. BEDFORD, CITY Judge.
Witnesscs-william Dunn, Is DrvdOck street; DR..
Eealis, City Prison, as to the wounds on Dunn.
No doubt the Commissioners win act upon the re-
quest OF Judge Bedford and another lesson taughe
the police that there Is a. limit to their authority
which they must recognize.
The body Of an unknown man was yesterday
found noatng in the river OF Hoboksn BY John
Kidy, Of the canal boat Curtis Parks, and towed
into the dock at Pier 4, East River. Deceased had
on blue nannel shirt, black pants and shoes. The
remains were sent to the M0rgue, and COr0nel