The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-18

POLICE TRIALS.
,roprn No. or rHr rouRrH pREcrNcT-.

THE MODEL MEN or THE FOURTH PRECINCT
CAPTAIN WILLIAMS AND HIS MAN NJ BRIDE
The full Board OF Police commissioners held
court yesterday atteruoou from one until I'VE
O'Clock. After u NUMBER OF minor cases had oeeA
disposed or, the case or Albert Smith against
Officer Mcbride, OF the Fourth precinct, was
called The charge against this oficer was verJ
serious one-yiz., that on the evening OF the Atm
OF June, while the complainant, Who Is o respect
able carman, was peaceaDly conversiso with soma
friends near MS residence the corGc-~ or South
and Roosevelt Streets Mcbride, VINO was pAtroit.
Ing the nelgnuorhood, came up ana ordered tina
party TO dispense Mr.. Smith not complying Win
this order with sutncient alacrity 10 suit the
policeman, the latter struck him on the aead
with his CLUB two or three times INJECTING severe,
but not dangerous wounds. On the case being
called the complainant failed TO respond, and a
was adjourned for one week.
CAPTAIN WILLIAMS CASE.
The court room was densely packed and much
interest was manifested by the spectators when
the case OF Fitzgerald Captain Will
Jams, or the Fourth precinct, was called. rns
complainant, who is q young man residing at Mo-
2s OAK street, was present, surrounded by mum.
bef OF friends and relatives. Counsellor FeMowsao
peared to protect his character from any as
saulis that Captain Williams might make upon ~
and Nj. Mclean, the COUNSEL OF the Board, con-
cations set lorta that on the afternoon OF the 81
OF February. 1875, the defendant arrested the
complainant with malicious intent and Wltnoue
legal cause, detalniug MIN In the station house .
snort time and then permltttng him 10 ceparts
meeting Fitzgerald IN the street stand
lag peaceaby, talking with some companions,
struck Elm twice on tue body Win an umDreli4]
aud threatened TO put Dail through him that =
lew nights subsequently, one OF the olncers Oh
captain Williams command arrested the COM
plaInant on a warranC charging him with Scking
IN door belonging TO one Timothy Drlscoll,
which warrant tne oincer SAID, was IN the pos
session OF Captain Williams at the station house
Wnen Fitzgerald asked Captain Williams TO ailow
him TO the warrant the latter, IN threatening
language, ordered hlm TO be taken TO the cells
and refused to snow the Warrant; all OF WHICH,
the complainant asserts, was ON the part Oh sne
DONE THROUGH MALICE.
After the reading Of the charge the aedendans
portion OF 1t relating 70 milce. On the other
spec.ncations ne stated he was ready for trial:
Inc complainant was the first person called, and
stated substantially as lollows:-
My name is Jonn O. Fitzgerald; am eighteen
years old and my business Is that or q CLERK; on
the afternoon OF May !. while stanoing with Two
TRENDS on New Chambers street, was APP
proacned by Captain Williams, wno after oroer-
ing away, struck me with an umbrella ne nelo
III his nand; demonstrated, and he made mo.
ton as II to draw pistol, saying. III you don't
go, III put ban through you;" thereupon
started TO leave, wnen he endeavored 10 KICK me,
but he was not successful l was committing 10
onence at the time; was arrested on the nignt
or May Il, by orficer Foley, OF the Fourth pre-.
c.ncl, VINO stated 10 me that warrant Tor my
arrest was la me hands OF captain Williams, at
the station house; the offence with when ne saio
saioon-was not committed by me; when
reached the station house Captain Williams was
THAT'S THE BuY.n
Iasked to be SHOWN the warrant and ne told me
TO ''snut up,n immediately Afterwards locking me
IN the cell and fused 20 let me see 1t.
Captain Williams cross-examined the complain
ant out failed 10 elicit any thing at variance with
mis- previous statements. lie endeavored 70 create
an uufAvoraoIe opinion Of the boys character ~
asking the question, 'Dld ! not stop you on sns
az a
search you as suspicious person ~ An mag.
nant and emphatic DENIAL was quickly gwen ~
Fitzgerald, which was not controverted Dy Inc
John Enrght, a boy OF nrteen years, testified
that on the night OF May 20 tine time wnen Drls.
call's 100. was brOKen) he was IN the company or
Fitzgerald from seven TO eleven O'Clock, AZ .Lisn
latter time EtZQerald entered his mouse for the
Eight During That time Fitzgerald did not com-
NIT the alleged offence.
when Captain Williams struck Fitzgerald vita mis-
umbrella; out the blow, he stated, was not ylo.
Aesrlng any threats Of shooting made 81 tue Cap
tam
plalnants and Captain Williams called about
dozen witnesses, several OF whom were omcers,
youag men that frequently caused trouble 10 the
police. None OF the witnesses testified against
the general good character OF Fitzgerald, other
tnan that ne nad thrown stones, &c.
Onicer Van Buskirk, formerly detective In tae
Fourth ward one OF Captain Williams Witnesses,
admitted on cross examination tnat ne had known
Fitzgerald Tor long time ana nad never regaraea
hiu az q suspicious uau No
ever seen MIN q wrong act
Timothy DriscOn testified that he suspected
Fitzgerald oil having broken In MS door, out could
not swear that ne did II. Acting on ms best DO.
lef he swore out tha warrant above mentioned.
Oficer Palmer OF the TomDs Police Court, test.
fed tnat being unable TO ina FL zgerald ne turned
tie warrant Tor ais arrest over 10 Captain VIII
Hams.
Captain Williams. on taking the stand, swore
that. noticing Fitzgerald actlng IN a suspicious
manner the 1st Of February, he caused ms
arrest; out, subsequently, ascertanng that ne
was not known to q suspicious person. ois-
cnateed aim. lie denied striking Fitzgerald with
his umbrella, anu positively swore tuat ne made
no threat OF shooting. lie also denied having re-
fused 10 snow the warrant IN sne station mousse,
asserting that ne snowea IL 10 the prisoner before
locking uim up.
Inc Commissioners reserved their decision.
WILLIAMS ACCUSED AGAIN.
The case OF owen L. CLARK VS.. Captain Will
Jams was next called. CLARK stated IA MS ain-
davlt that Williams assaulted him Ia 'front.' OIL hlt
employers store ut No. AZ Vesey street, afew
weeks ago. catching HIM by the throat ana vlu
lenty shaking hini, hs offence being tnAt one "
his companions SAID. IN the presence OF Nlulams,
referring 10 the latter, 1here aces tue Aldermanh
CLARK falling 10 answer wnen his name was called
Captain Williams, under GA \, denied the charges
against him. rAis case was also referred 10 rue
Board.