The New York herald., 1877-09-14
CAPTAIN M'DONNELL'S SUIT.

DAMAGES WHICH INCREASED THOUSAND
FoLD-A MODEL JUSTICE.
There came up TOR trial In the Marine Court before
Judge Sinnott and jury, yesterday, somewhat
usual CASE brought by Charles Hart against Charles
Mcdonnell police captain OF tho Eighth precinct The
suit was to 81 600 damages ior having illegally
broken into houses Nos ll0 aud lis Greene street,
breaking the locks inurng tho premises aud by his acts
causing the removal OF tenants Of tho plaintiff from the
premises and thus causing loss to the amount sought
to BE- recovered In action. Tho OF Captain
Mcdonnell was that he did break into The housss
tho night OF the 2lst Of January charged In the
complaint but he admitted that on tho night OF the
llth OF tho same month he did enter tho premises;
that he entered them for the purpose OF arrcsng
two womon, VINO In his view had been soliciting men
for improper purposes and that In doing he
ing within the line OF his duty. Tho plaintiff being OK.
amincd In his own BEHALF said he saw tho Cap tain
breaking IN that he broke In number Of doors aud
windows which he (plaintit) had to have
repaired and that he lost IN rents, tho tenant.
having moved out IN consequences Of the Captains
acts He further testified that i've Of six times pre-
viously the Captain had committed several slmas
ncts the promises His business, he said.
was ,nas o. saloon keeper, nosry pueU and ren.
to other parties. Hc was asked II the two houses
communicated HIS answer was that thoy did not
until Captain Mcdonnell made them communicate by
breaking down the !encc.
Captain Mcdonnell, on being sworn, testified in his
Eighth precinct he received information that the
houses In question wcro iewd places OF the worst
character aud he mado raids on thom several tfnes
lie was accustomed TO send out officers In clzens'
drcss with Instructions u solicited 10 arrest the par
ties Several arrests were made la that way On the
alteEnoon of the 18th Of January 1876 whie ON beat
citizens clothes, he solicited BY woman iron
Of the buildings. Hc responded by ascending the
stoop, and just tho door opened ne
seized tho woman by the arm aud told hei
he arrested her. She Immediately closed the door
against HIM, jan,mng his arm between the door ant
tbaa aid md M CS0
by another hc was crowded out He then got assist
ance and entered the houses made OF the
Two women He denied breaking or injuring any
thing and said the plaintiff had admitted that dollar
and half would repair al tho damages.
Mira wilson, d lady Of color living In adjoining
house. confirmed the Captain story as to hts having
solicited his atemps TO enter the house and his
repulse Oillcer Charles Bliss testified to being
called upon by the Captain to assist IN entering ths
house, but being too tat to climb up to and enter
window, Officer Farley, lighter weight, was called n
and performed the service. flo tBssl broke doors
and saw mono broken. Oncer Farley testified that Ia
entered tho premises under orders from Captain Nc.
DonncIl, but broke nothing 10 The premises Another
witness who lived In tho house testified TO the fact
that he injury dopo to the premises, ana ~
this point The case was adjourned 10 this morning
During hts opening 10 the jury Mr. Mclean, counsel to
the Police Commissioners created somewhat OF sen.
saton by the remark that tho police could hope TO do
but little Ia supprcssng houses of prostitution In this
city who u police justice could DO iound who would
visit them drink wine there ana then ask the girls u
m Or H.