The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-25
JUSTICE IN 4 POLICE COURT!
a witness for n Prisoner In Essex Market
Threatened by Police Omcers.

Threatened by Police Omcers.
Herman =. Ohm, police officer, was a de-
PENDANT Yesterday in the Marine Court. having
been sued by Mrs. Catharine Lcdwith for dam
ages for an assault. The plaintiff is middle
nged Irish woman. the defendant u youthful
German Of not unpleasant inien.
On the 18th of September 1877. the neighbor-
hood Of Avenue b and Eighth street was filled
by multitude that had assembled to see the
funeral Of Father Mooney. Inspector Murray
marched to tho spot with a body OF police TO
keep tho streets clear. Officer Ohm. who was a
roundsman. was stationed near Seventh street
with twenty men. Mrs. Ledwth was one OF the
multitude in Officer 0hn's way. AS TO what
hnpprnrd when Mrs. Ledwith aud the officer
cam" into contact the Witnesses did not entirely
agree.
Mrs. Iedwith testified TINT the officer pushed
her rudely without provocatQn. and that upon
her demonstrating he struck her in the breast
with his clenched fist, Knocked her hat of.
pulled her hair down. tore her dress down the
hnck, and then took her into custody She re-
fused TO 80 to the police station with him. md
another officer took her to the station. Ohm fol-
lowing In the station sergeant Webb ordered
the officers to take her 10 the police court on
charge 81 drunGrnncss and disOrderly conduct.
fined her ten dollars and ordered her to give
bonds In 500 10 Keep III" peace. She was
locked IN until the next day.
On cross-cXamination Mrs. Lcdwith admitted
that She struck officer Ohm across the face with
paras,9l utter he had pushed her,
Mrs. Dnrby. n neighbOr of Mrs. Ledwith cor
roboratrd the latters testimony but admitted
on crosse aniinntion that Mrs. Lrdwth had
said OF another police officer. IN Officer Ohm's
hearing Loo; at that rod mouthed Mike"
II was also elected that Mrs. Ledwth had been
ordered To- mQv" on. and TINT she had said to the
much less Is policeman.
,Onlcer Ohm testified that Mrs. Ledwth was
obstructing the street and that he ordered her
TO move on; thnt she refused to go. and was
abusive; TINT she looked as though she had
been drinking. and that. in fact. she was
drunk. He pushed her rs gently as he could
with one hnnd. and thereupon she struck
him severely across his face with her
parasol, knocking his hat on Then he
arrested her. but upon her refusing to go with
him. inspector Murray. who had come to TIE
spot handed her over TO another officer, who
took her To the police station. Ohm followed
her, but did not have his hands on her. He
said that be had been on the police for" two
II this kind before. lie admitted that when
Mrs. Iedwith reached the police station. her
habit was torn; hut he added that 1t was owing
u her own resistance and violence.
Ca cross examination the officer admitted
That some time ago he accused two youths OF
having dubbed him. and that on trial In the
Special Sessions they Were acquitted. But he
thought that Mrs. Ledwth's appearance was
not owing TO excitement. He was certain that
sergt Webb testified that Mrs. Ledwith was.
Ia his opinion. drunk when taken into the sta
ton.
Plaintiffs Counsel-sergeant. you consider
yourself m expert in judging of drunkenness.
Have YOU eyer seen persons under great ex-
element! Have you ever seen persons suffer-
ing from congestion OF the brain?
Sergt. Webb--l have.
Pnintins COunscl-And have such persons
ever been locked W In the cells Of your station
on charges ot drunkenness. and been allowed
t. die there
Sersi. Wcbb-No. sir.
Plaintiffs Counscl-But you have heard Of
such thinFi h"ppening in other PRECINCTS
pinintirs Counsrl-Ihat will do.
lhspnetor Murray testified that from Mrs.
Ledwiths appearance. he thought she was
drunk.
Mrs. Ledwith. recalled. said that she had
never been drunk in her life, and had never
tasted liquor except for medicinal PURPOSES
ness IN the police court. and that Justice Smith
SAID 10 her that she ought TO stay at home when
not sober. and that she did not deny the charge [:
but the reason was that she did not know what
had been going on In the court room. She
stood In front Of railing some twenty feet
from the Justice. and on raised platform be-
lore her stood Il row of police officers. There
was some low talk with the Justice OF which
she dld not hear word and then she was lee
tured; sentenced, and locked up. Her neigh
room and tried 10 make herself heard. wishing
L. say that Mrs. Ledwith was not drunk but the
police officers III rentened TO lock her up too if
she did not hold her tongue.
Defendants Counsel objected TO this testl-
mony.
Plaintiffs counsel-It is perfectly proper. sir
wish 10 snow how Justice is administered in
these courts.
- Mrs; Darby md Mary Connolly corroborated
MRS. Lcdwths assertion that she WAS entirely
sober at tho time Of the arrest.
Tho case was submitted t. the Jury without n
summing w for either side. and without a
charge by tho court. They returned IA y,rdlct
Tor the plaintiff OF s25.