Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-11
LIEUT.. BOTELER's CASE.
The Board That Tried Him Recommend That
the Charges he Dismissed.


and presented to Maj. Moore. who recommended
that trial take place on the 9Th of March be-
fore the regular trial committee. The trial
took place as recommended, Commissioners
Robert and Ross being present. The recon-
mendation of the board, which the Commits
sioners received this morning, was that the
charges be dismissed, as the finding was that
the officer was not guilty.
THE TESTIMONY.
Inspector Pearson when placed upon the
stand stated that he went around to the station
house on the evening Of the Goth with Sergt.
Daley who came around to his house and re-
quested him to go around to see the condition
of Lieut. Boteler. He says he found the lieu
tenant in his Office smoking cigar and thatfrom
his appearance he had been drinking intoxicat-
ing liquor. He said he talked a little thick
and did not seem to be in his natural condi-
tion, but that he transacted all his business he
had with him intelligently and answered all
questions. On ncross-examination the inspector
says he remained there about ten minutes but
could not upon a casual observation, as the
lieutenant sat in the chair. notice that he was
under the influence Of liquor.
Sergeant DAILY testified that on the day men
toned, at 6:l0 O'Clock, Lieut.. Boteler came
In from the rear portion of the station house
and when he first noticed him he was talking
was directed to him as he staggered past the
sergeant's room until he came to the lieuten-
ants room when Stationkeeper Frank called
his attention to him. Just then the lieutenant
staggered against the door and the door
went back, and the reaction of strik-
ing the door threw him forward
The lieutenant caught at his desk and steadied
himself On cross-examination he said he was
not near enough to smell any liquor upon his
breath, but that from his appearance he
judged he was under the influence of liquor.
In answer to a question whether or not it was
possible for the cool weather to have flushed
his cheeks Sergeant Daley said no it was his
opinion 1t was caused by liquor.
JUDGED HE WAS INTOXICATED.
Stationkeeper Frank testified that he was in
the station on the afternoon in question and
heard some one come through the station from
the rear and later recognized Lieut.. Boteler
who staggered up against the door. He called
the attention Of the sergeant and nightkeeper
to the fact and remarked at the same time that
it was a bad thing for the lieutenant to come
into the station house in that condition as he
ought to show an example to his officers On
cross-examinaton he said that he Judged that
he was intoxicated from his appearance and
the manner in which he entered the room.
Station Keeper Hutton testified that he did
not see the lieutenant when he came in, but
heard the noise and looked up. The lieutenant
WAS WhiklfS very last from the Dack way and
stumbled near the door and struck the door
He says he went into his room and STAYED there
Later he walked through the Office to the tele-
phone and answered it and then went
back into his room. On crOss-eXamination
he said that he did not see anything
unusual in the leutenants appearance
and that no one tolG him that the lieutenant
was in an intoxicated condition. There was
nothing unusual in his condition that he could
see that would have attracted attention. The
conversation through the telephone. he said
was clear and distinct and not like a man under
the influence OF liquor. The prosecution closed
with this witness.
THE LIEUTENANT's STATEMENT.
Lieut.. Boteler was then called to the stand.
He stated in substance that on the afternoon
in question he left the station with Private
Nicholson on horseback to visit the county on
business connected with the department II
was the first time he had been in the saddle
for six months. After describing the route he
took and reasons for going that way. he said
that when he arrived at DIR. Hammond's 9
hospital on 14th street he took out his
watch and remarked to the officer that they
could not possibly get to the station by 6
o'clock unless they went in a lope. and he did
not see any necessity for doing that. He said
that just before he got to the station he saw
the relief coming out He stopped in the alley-
way and went into the stable and put his horse
away and then went into the station to his
room, and while on his way he stumbled over
large mat and fell against his door
and rebounded against the desk and
caught himself. Then, he says. he took
seat and smoked a cigar until Inspector
Pearson came around and then had
a conversation with him about an officer whom
the officer wanted detailed He then goes
minutely into his actions while in the station
and then states that he went home. As for
drinking, he says he never saw ANYTHING to
drink and never even smelt it and never touched
drop OF whisky that day or for.y-eight hours
previous to that dav. On cross-examination he