The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-05
ANOTHER POLICE OUTRAGE.


scANDALous SCENE IN FRONT OF THE OAK
STREET srATIoN-A WOMAN BEATEN BY A
BRUTAL OFFICER.
Frederick Ringcr is a newly appointed police officer,
detailed Tor duty in tho Fourth precinct He has on
several occasions been reprimandcd court for using
his club without necessity. Yesterday morning he
brought to the Tombs Hugh ODonnell, aged fourteen
years. Of No 434 Pearl strcet and the attors mother
Catherine oDonnelL Ringer charged the boy with
disordorly conduct aud tho mother with interfering
with the officer in the performance Of his duty. MrA
O'Donnell, whose character . sober. industrious
woman is vouched for by the residents Of
the locality IN which she lives. had her
head covered with bandages and tho front OF
her dress covered with blood Hcr is
in the last stages Of consumption When Justice Wan
dell took his seat on the bench Counsellor Cowan
who appeared for the prisoners drew the attention Of
the Justice to the case and said that the story OF his
clients convinced him that they had boon the victims
OF brutal outrage committed by the officer. When
the case called Ringer said the boy standing
with others In front OF his residence eleven
o'clock on Saturday night He ordered them 10 20
away, which they refused to do, saying they lived
there He pushed them with his club. O'Donnc ran
into the doorway called him names, wheroupon he
arrested the latter. He had taken him into
custody fhan Mrs. O'Donneli assaulted him and n
deavorcd tear his shield on. He arrested her Also
While in Chestnut street, opposite the station house
he was compelled rap for assistance and broke his
club in doing SO, whcreupon he was attacked BY mob
Being cross examined by Counsellor Cowan Ringer
first seemed DESTROYS OF avoiding the answering OF
any question which might njurc him. He was CON-
PEELED admit that he might have struck Mrs. oDon-
nell and her daughter tho head three four times
lie said he could toll who he dubbed but had
recollection of clubbing young man who offered 70
assist him 70 the station with the prisoners.
Mrs ODonnelf testified that she saw Ringer strike
her with the club; she said "Dont strike my boy,
he sick = Rnglcr dragged ths boy along and she ol
lowed; at Chestnut street the boy SAID, "What am
arrested for did not do anything;" Ringler gave
HIM push with the club, and Mrs. O'Donnell said,
Il want TO SEQ is my boy hurt" and kinger
struck her on the hand with his club. She showed
her hand, which swollen and backened, to the
Justice. When tho officer struck her, herself
on sne ssr N and her SeeenS and
into the gutter Amer that she remembered nothing
until she found herself III tho station house. and, with
son. taken to the hospital She assorted that
the oiccr's club not broken when no struck her.
aud that no one inierfered with assaulted him
counsellor Cowan and TESTIFIED that he offered 70 assist
Ringier, who then surrendered the boy INTO his Gus
tody when tho officer struck Mrs o'Donnell the Wit
..sroP CLUBBING THAT WOMAN;
take them in, when Ringier struck him In the
face, breaking his nose
Sarah O'Donnel, sixteen years old, testified In cor
roboration o her mothers testimony, aud said that
when Klnglor struck Mr. Iawler the club glanced OF
and struck her on the forehead. She showed Justice
Wandcl swelling on her temple caused by the blow.
Mr. Lawler being recalled testified that Captain
Williams rushed out Of the station house and pre-
vented Rnglcr from using the club any more
Mr. O'Brcn, residing the corner OF Oak and Pearl
Streets said that his attention was attracted by noise
in the street, and on looking out saw crowd and
RIngcr clubbing every indiscriminately Ho
characterized tho action OF the officer most In
human.
Counsellor Cowan informed his Honor that there
were halt dozen witnesses who could swear
to the same facts asked Tor the discharge OF his
clients. In his address the Court the counsellor
stated that II time citizens should ue protected
against the outraecs pcrpetrated by brutes wearing
police uniforms and clothed with little brief author
ity He asked Justice Wandel 10 remember that tho
little boy now rapidly on his way 10 the grave was
playing front Of his door, when Ringler came
up and pushed him with the club almost throwing HIM
into basement In any event there could be no ex-
cuse clubbing Mrs. ODonneI in front Of the station
house door. whore assistance could DO procured NJ =
seconds notice.
Justice wandcll discharged Mrs o'DonnclI and
her
Ringler, after the decision OF the Court had been
rendered wanted know what his duty was, and said
that the u Donnclis were "a hard crowln
Justice Wandel stcrny rebuked him for his un.
seemlv conduct, ana SAID that matter how humble
persons may be, they had rights which should be re-
spccted, and they ought to lind protection instead OF
outrage ut the hands Of officers OF the law.
Counsellor CowaD informed Judge Wandell that hc
would apply for warrant RingIcr's arrest to-day.