National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-09-16
THE snEuAN-coLEMAN CASE.

Coiored Citizens Revive the Homicide
The Grand Jury to Hear the Evil
dence.
In the caseof David Fitzgerald, committed
to jail by the coroner to await the action OF the
grand jury on the charge Of killing Edward
Shields, bail has been taken in 5000, Law
renee Hickey and Patrick d. O'Connell be.
coming surety, aud Fitzgerald released from
custody. The assistant district attorney CON
scutcd to the release, stating that tho tcsti.
mony before the coroner indicated a doubtful
case Of manslaughter at most, but tho case
seemed bailable one. Steps have been taken
toward the prosecution of Police Officer sho.
han on the charge of murder OF Addison Cole
man. lie was arrested ON warrant issued by
United States Commissioner G.. S. Bundy aud
brought before Justice Cox at his residence
late last Monday evening and released on g 1000
bail MIR George Russell becoming his surety.
Assistant aud District Attorney Coylp in n
communication to Justice Cox states that In
this case the "coroncr's Jury found that the
shooting was accidental but that had Il been
intentional the officer would have been jlstl.
fled in his act The case seems to turn merely
upon the question of legality of the original
arrest, and cannot see how anything mora
serious than verdict of mnnslaughtcr con re-
suit. Under these circumstances and Mr.
shechGn having waived an examination, the
case seems proper one for bull and I
think 5000 would be fair sum NJ which to
fix bail"
The warrant was issued upon tho AFFIDAVIT
of James Lucas, colOrcd, and Commissioner
Uundy says that from the mans conversation
and statements he judged that ne had been
sent TO him from the district Attorney office.
Upon inquiry ut the latter office Assistant
District Attorney Taggart stated that the man
had not been sent from there, and they knew
nothing about IL until after return was made to
the warrant. lie further stated that some two
weeks since Colorod man came into his Office
snying that he desired some information as tho
case was being Investigated; that he was one
of the committee which would meet that night,
and he wished to make u report TO them. lIc
told the man that the preliminary examination
by the coroner was always regarded as suf-
icient inquiry into matter for the purpose OF
holding or releasing party. Where the citl.
zens took up and entered upon m investiga-
tion and ascertained facts sufficient to warrant
judicial inquiry they make the fact known to
The district attorney and the witnesses woull
be sent before the grand jury for that body to
decide whether or not there was PROB.
able cause sufficient TO justify the find.
ing OF IN indictment Where cltizsns
knew Of acrimc having been committed, and
who the party was that committed II, they
could GO and swear 70 II and procure war
rant. The getting out OF u warrant was the
high privilege enjoyed by every American
citizen. The district attorney could not pre-
vent one being taken out, and had no right to
order citizen to obtain one. His office h I'd a
regular mode of procedure, and that did not
interfere with the rights of the citizen, In
this instance the Office hud not directed the
man TO get warrant unless the district attor-
ney had done so, which he did not think prob.
able. If the man obtained the warrant 1t had
been done OF his own volition.
II would seem from this that Lucas and his
committee have acted upon their own rcspon-
stbility in reviving the case and bringing II to
the consideration of the grand jury.