New-York tribune., 1883-03-12
TWO SUNDAY MURDERS.
A POLICE OFFICER SHOT AT ais DESK.

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Officer Patrick Casey shot Roundsman Richard
Comisky, at the Twelfth Precinct Police Sta
tion at East-ave. and Fourth-st. Hunter
Point at IL o'clock yesterday morning
The station was in charge of Comisky at that hour
and Officers jeremiah COnnors and Edward
O'Brien were on reserve with him. While the thre,
were conversing together Casey in citizens dress
entered and passed through the Office to room
| in the rear He took off his overcoat and laid
1t upon chair. aud few moments
afterward called Officer Connors to come and helr
him fx bis revolver. ConnOrs found Casey stand
ing by table, with the weapon in his hand, endea-
voring to push in the small rod which fastens the
barrel In position. Both being unable to remedy
tho difficulty, O'Irien went in and in few mo-
mrnts succeeded in making the revolver work.
Casey slipped tho weapon into the
left-hand pocket of his blue sack coat
and walked out into the Office whero Comisky sat
behind the desk looking out of the window.
Stepping up before the desk he asked Comisky why
he had dogged him around while he was at his post.
The roundsman replied that it was to make him
more faithful in the discharge of his duty. Casey
Immediately drew his revolver and said: "Then
I'm going to kin you"
| Before Comisky could make single
movement Casey fired directly at his
head. The bullet struck the officer about an inch
below the right eye aud he fell back IN his chair
dead. officer OBrien. who had stepped into the
room as the shot was fired. rushed forward and
wrenched the revolver from Casey's hand. Assisted
by Officer Connors he succeeded in forcing hun into
the back room.
While OBrien kept guard over the
prisoner Connors hurriedly summoned DR..
w. j. Burnett whose Office was close
by. But Comlsky had breathed his
last before the doctor arrived. The blood was
dripping slowly from tho wound. aud formed pool
beneath the chair in which the officer was seated.
Police Commissioner McGec. who lives near by, was
summoned, as was also Coroner Robinson, who
dered Casey TO be placed under arrest.
CASEY TAKEN TO THE COUNTY JAIL
The report that n had been shot
at tho Seventh Precinct Station ran
through Long Island City like wldhre
Assoon as the name Of the principals IN the murder
became known, the excitement became intense
Knots of men gathered at the corner Of the street
near the station and talked violently about taking
the prisoner by kforce and hanging him to lamp
post Commissioner McGee, at the request of sew
eral citizens, decided 10 have Casey taken
TO the County jail for safe keeping the cells in
;he station unfit for use. Tue order was exc
cuted with sucn rapldity that in hour after the
crime was committed the prisoner was behind the
strong bars and walls of tbs Jail.
On the way 10 the JAIL the Commissioner states
that Casey exhibited the most abject cowardice. To
one OF tho officers who accompanied him he
mob act hold of me-" Ho trembed
whenever two more perrons wers passed, and
seemed in constant fear lest some should fire
upon hun from behind fences or doors. In the af-
ternoon he sank into deep sleep. from which Sher-
III Fnrman was unable 10 rouse him for a long
time Casey's wife. who visited him later in the
day. was allowed n few minutes conversation with
hlm In the presence of keepers. The fact that
Comisky was dead was kept from Casey yes Jerday
tim might bo discovered. No reporters were adj
United to the cell of tho prisoner
NO REASONABLE MOTIVE GIVEN FOR THE DEED
To TRIBUNE reporter who visited Hunters Point
last evening Officer OBrine stated that Casey was
undoubtedly under the influence of hquor when he
committed the crime. He was not drunk enough 10
stagger about and 10 an ordinary observer would |
appear sober. O'Brien also said that Casey and |
Comisly had NOT been on speaking terms with |
each other for nearly a year None of the officers
were aware that ang quarrel of serious nature |
had taken place between them, and wholly |
unable to account for Casey ac. That Casey had |
for time been jealous of Comisky. because the
lat eT had been advanced more rapidly than hiul-
SELF was well known to most of tho police officers.
.'' do not know what Casey's motive was IN com
mlttng the decd.' said James ComIsky, a brother
of the murdered man. " They have not been on
speaking terms for some time. only know that
TO the house, and IN conversation 1 had
with him said that he, would get even
ever got a chance. thought at tho time that he
was only speaking In jesl, out, alas. l know now
that he earnest. IL seems TO me one OF the
coldcst- -blCoded murders that ever took place in
New-York"
The coffin containing the body stood In
a back room of the mouse occupied by Mr..
Comskys father, IN FOurih-st., when
a tribune reporter called last evening.
candeabrum. bearing sewn lighted tapers, |
was placed at the head O the coffin In the room
were assemble ell dozen or fifteen women. with tear
stained faces. In an adjoining room were "a number
Df men who were endeavoring to console the be-
reaved father and son. The face of the dead
man marked all with powder |
from tho murderer's pistol, showing how closely TO
Conisky ho must have stood when he tired.
THE HISTORY OF THE TWO MEN.
Cominsky thIrty-two years OF age lie was
appontedon the police force in 1877. He was ad-
vanced to the position of acting sergeant last sum-
ner, under the administration of Mayor DeBevose,
and was continued in that position, In addition to
his duties as roundsman. by the Board of Polics
appointed by Mayor Pctry. He was unmarried.
liIs father and brother are The only surviving mem
bers Of bis family.
IN cnviable reputation. On several occasions dur
ng the last five years he has, when heated
by liquor, made threats against rthe the lives
lgO he shot and seriously wounded Simon Flaherty,
% Kearney's cockpit at Jacksor-ave. and Dutch
& for a9eS b Ga would 5e SS the
20 an end at Hunters Point and he lose his occupa- ,
ion. A few weoxs ago Casey got INTO quarrel
With " Tom Clarlin, q we-known character in |
hunters Point, and drew his revolver to shoot him. {
Jut WAS prevented by his friends
II was reported last night that the cause of the
roublo between Casey and Comisky originated
asst summer at the time of the breaking up of tho
,ool and gambling places at Hunters Point.
;Omskv, IL II said, was pccuniarily interested in
ne or two of these concerns. Casey was angry be-
muse Comlsly had been placed in q position which ,
elded ham so much profit. in preference to himself
jasey is thirty y-one years of age of medium Q
lelght, thickset, and wears black
nOustache. Dr. w. j. Burnett, assisted by I
Dr. Hitchcock, made an examination of the body n
Il Comisky after his death, and found the but
ri In the left lobe of tine cerebelum, near the top of
he spinal column The revolver used by Casey '
Tas q Colt No. 80. The Coroners inquest will be I
eld on Thursday.