The New York herald., 1877-03-02
THE CLUB AGAIN.

OUTRAGEOUS AND uNwARRANrED ASSAULT ON
DRUNKEN MAN ny A POLICE oFFIcEE--IHE
POLICEMAN A PRISONER.
Shortly before six o'clock Wednesday night last
there occurred Bayard another OF police
brutality that stamps its hero TT companion for
the noted Sergeant Thompson, of tho Fourth precinct
whose exploits with the club have been detailed at
length in the columns Of the HERALD. The pugnacious
officer this timc4 Patrolman Mchae Sullivan OF the
Fourteenth precinct. and his victim John 'Bren
a machnist, living at No. S5 Baxter street. The
latter was considerably the worse for liquor. As
he staggered up Bayard street at the time mentioned
Ocer sullivan was patrolling his post and stopped
watch the drunken O'Bren came along and
presently stumbled against the officer, who graspcd
him by the collar and pushed him several feet ahead
aiming blow al him with his club. Revived some
what by the ofcers vigor, tho man made dash for
neghboring alley the officer following and before long
catching him and striking him blow on the head with
his baton. Tho drunken man, dazed from the ELECTS
OF tho blow, caught the officers arm, and the
policeman again struck him the head,
knocked him down aud dragged him into the
street. Then the officer raped ior assistance, and
pending the arrival OF omcer Hnton, VINO came 10 re-
sponse to the alarm, amused himself by giving Inc
PROSTATE man few more knocks on he head. The
by this time attracted the attention OF sew
era who stopped and watched The subsequent
proceedings Tho drunken man, bleeding freely,
sought by few Intellectual struggles TO regain his feet
eu ns rspos Blows su uu"p him he people cried out 10
him 20 stop lar the sake of heaven but, thoroughly
warmed 10 his WORK the officer disregarded all appeals
EVEN A POLICEMAN SHOCKED
In few moments and while sullivan was st beat
ing his almos, UNCONSCIOUS prisoner. omocr ha.on
arrived the scene, and even eoned the spectators
in begging the officer TO dessl, sayng;--
ssDon't strike him any more, Suilvani wo ooth Can
take MIN TO the station house
up and joined Hatton in begging for Gods sakc not TO
Kill his brother al will, said he 'heip you TO take
him along with you but sullivan ordered him away.
After some further talk tho olcer ceased MS ciuboing
and by the aid OF his brother officer TOOK the man 20
the station hoase Hero he preferred charge OF
assault and battery against him. and tue prisoner was
locked up .
placed at tho bar and Officer Sullivan nmbly mounted
the stand and that while walking down Bayard
street bo encountered the prisoner who was much IN
toxcatcd: he told O'Bren TO move along. whercupon
the latter made attempt to strike him. AZ TINS
Sullivan caught him by the collar and, while endcavor-
ipg TO take MIN to station house, O'Brien struck
him in the face, and he compelled TO use ms cluD
and then rap tor ass stance.
This was all the officers testimony anu tho from
bling prisoner at the bar stood Ia fair way oil re-
caiving a six months sentence 70 the Islnhu whcn
Judge Kbreth looked up and noticed the bruised and
battered condition OF his head.
'.Step up here OBricn, said the Judge, 'and give
me your version of the assault"
OPENING ThE EYES JUSTICE.
In a few brie sentences, uttered as If tho speaker
was conscious they could make no indentation In the
officers testimony OBrien told his story TO the effect
that he was somewhat under the influence Of liquor
when the officer arrested him. lie did not remember
any attempt his part to strike tho oniccr ana MS
next recollection the bathing OF his wounds,
which consisted of two gashes IN the head and numer
Gus bruises on the body.
Somewhat Interested in the apparent candor OF the
the magistrate began to crossquestion inc oucer
sullivan went glbly enough along ut nrst, but the
questions becoming unexpectedly pointed he became
confused and gave not lew csntradictory answers.
II will adjourn this until two O'Clock this alter
noon - said Judge Kilbreth, and, in the meantime
both the prisoner and the officer will have an oppor.
tunity to produce witnesses.
UNLOCKED TESTIMONY.
When tho case was called in the afternoon Mr. John
d. Shea Il produce merchant, dong business IN wash
Ingon Market took the stand and swore that be was
accidental witness to the assault and came 10 court
voluntarily for the purpose OF seeing justice Done
He told the story OF the assault substantially Us
gwen above. -
Felix Mccarthy, of No. 55 Eldridge street, and Mrs:
Moore OF No. 102 Bayard street, fully corroborated
the evidence OF MIR. Shea.
Officer Hattou made weak effort to save his COL
the prisoner but the officer not having been present
at tho morning examination unaware that sullivan
had disowncd all attempt on tho part oil O'Bren's
brother 10 rescue him. His evidence, therefore, was
OF not much value to Sullivan
TURNED
After heoripg all tho testimony Judge Kbreth
promptly discharged O'Brien and ordered warrant
made out for the OF Oncer sullivan His order
was quickly obeyed, and In five minutes the lat" pros
ccutor found himself transformed, buttons, baton
and sh ield and all, into O common prisoner.
81 will hold you in $500 bail TO answer at General
Sessions" said Judge Kilbreth to the officer Captain
AIaire volunteered TO be responsible Tor his appear
ance until morning. when he would produce ball. and
the magistrate accepted the offer
In conversing on tho subject subsequently 70
HERALD reporter Judge klbreth expressed himself
satisfied that the in question was one OF unwar
ranled brutality.