Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-04-12
THE DETECTIVES ACQUITTED.
Judge Wylie's Charge Continued from
the First Edition.


the court commented upon the avocation OF de-
tectiyes the necessity of their becoming acquainted
with and sometimes asSociating with criminals A
prejudice was often gotten up against detectives
because they were seen aSSociatng with criminal
IL detectives were to hold criminals at arms engtE
ana treat them with Scorn, his office as detectiS
would be without value to the community. Il
must be SUBTLE otherwise he cannot unravel the
Jlssensions among the criminals and IL
duce some. of them to tell on the others
people, and it is not fair to draw an inference
against these men because they are seen asSoclat-
ing with such men or known to be in correspond
ence with them. 1t was an important matter
condolences In each other. because when
they lose confidence in each other they
lose their power OF continuation It was the bust
ness OF detectives to cultivate criminals with that
view 1t seemed that Finder had told some stories
true to some extent OF McDevitt. His memory
was very defective. The truth was that he had
observed McDeyitt always was poor witness
Where man was placed In his position, proud OF
his reputation. with the consciousness that he had
been hurled from his position with these CHARGES OF
Hovan and Hebhard against him, 1T was calculated
10 excite the anger OF milder man than MleSian.
tie dld not think that any unfair inference should
De drawn from the manner OF his testimony.
FLINDERS INCONSISTENT STORIES.
AS to Finder, the stories he had told OF his pro-
ceedings in New York were inconsistent in some Of
their details. Comparing the account given to
Brooks with the account given to Thompson he did
not think Finder could be charged with having
been perfectly candid with either of them These
times men felt at liberty to tell untruthS. This
was to be- morally, very much condemned, and the
inconsistencies, or course affected his credit He
did not have the moral aspect belonging TO NC
Dewitt Still, he must be tried according 10 law.
court to be in the testimonv Of Hebhard rom M the
Sth street livery stable He referred to the attack
made upon Richards testimony by the testimony
OF Hackney. Mr. McDevitt had denied it entirely.
HOvan testified that the thieves had been here about
week. and that 1t had been their habit to have
horse and buggy at the corner of 18th and New
York avenue for a week. Why had they not gone
to the same stable this day? Why had 1t been
necessary for them on that day TO get McDevitt to
in weighing the discrepancies In the testimony.
HovAN's TESTIMONY DIsoREpITED.
He referred TO Hovan's testimony as to driving
away after the robbery with Miner driving at ran
dom until they struck the Bladensburg road, and
found an obscure place near Mt. Olivet cemetery,
where they buried the package. This hole was dug
with trOwel Hebhard and Fadely testified that
there was a trOWel in the buggy when it was re-
turned. 1t must have taken some time to have
gotten away from the bank, to hold the consulta-
ton at Franklin square, to drive leiSurely about
the city, and out to the Bladensburg road and bury
the package. Still they got back between two and
three o'clock. Hogan and Miner were the
only two men who could have found the
spot Where the money was buried. Finder
goes to New York and finds the thieves there. On
TUESDAY morning Finder gets back from New York
with the package All OF the thieves were In New
YORK. NOW Finder must have brought that pack
age from New \ DIRK Or have gotten such an accu-
rate description OF the place OF burial as to be
enabled TO find 1t. He did not think the latter sup
position possible. The package was in New York.
What does that prove? 1t proves that HOvan is
liar.
He referred to the promise Of immunity
held out to Hovan, and said 1t would be
disgrace to the administration OF JUS
tice, If any jury in this country could
found a verdict upon the testimony OF such a man.
The court, referring to Mr.. Thompson's in
terviews with Hovan in the PENNSYLVANIA
penitentiary, spoke OF Mr. Thompson as sour good
Citizen who Is always in pursuit OF some public in
terest, but sometimes, think, mistaken in his
zeal"
After reviewing again the testimony referring to
Finder, Judge Wylie finished at quarter TO two,
saying to the jury. "Gentlemen. those are my views
or the law. do not see that there Is much left for
you to do"
He made, however, some supplementary remarks,
Stating that he had 10 doubt that this prosecution
originated in an honest motive: that IL was COM
mendable public spirit, for the purpose OF protect
Ing the community. Zeal was an excellent thing
In the public service, but was apt to oyereap itself
unless accompanied by wisdom
he suggested the need OF a law to prevent the
paying OF rewards for the recovery OF stolen goods
unless the thieves are prosecuted.
Verdict Of Not Guilty.
The jury began to consult in their box, without
leaving their seats. One minute was all that was
required Foreman Hughes then stepped forward
and announced the verdict "not guilty."
The court was adjourned till Monday morning