Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-05-15
THE NIcKERSoN CASE.
Tho Sergeant 10 Restored hut the Practic
10 Condemned.

10 Condemned.
A meeting OF the Board of Aldermen
was held at $50 Saturday evening to hear
the charges preferred by Mayor Brown
against Sergeant James u. Nickerson.
All the members were present and the
Mayor presided. .
The crowd of spectators were present
and seemed to enjoy the proceedings.
The charges were violation of duty as
Sergeant OF the police force, by causing
On March 20 to be released and discharged
a certain prisoner from the police station
John Cullen-after said Cullen had been
arrested for disturbing a religious meet
ing, and before any complaint or arraign-
ment had been made; by neglecting and
refusing to make a search OF the whole
of the premises Of Owen Sullivan. when
having In his possession a warrant for said
search; also by causing to be released on
April 10, and discharged from the police
station, Owen Sullivan, after he had been
arrested for assault upon an officer while
the officer was In performance OF duty,
and before any complaint or arraignment
had been made.
Richard Martin, ESQ.,, appeared for the
prosecution and j. Osfield, Jr., for the de-
fence.
Mr.. Martin asked that all the witnesses
he requested TO leave the room, except the
one who was testifying. This was denied
Aldermen Adams, Davis and Winters
voting to allow the witnesses to remain
In the room, and Aldermen Miller and
O'Reilly voting against.
Judge Shove testified that he knew
nothing about the release of either Sulli-
van or Cullen.
John Erwin testified that he asked for
the release OF Owen Sullivan and went to
Clerk Blodgett about the matter.
Clerk Blodgett testified that he suthor-
lied Sergeant Nickerson to release Owen
Sullivan. but did not remember ordering
Cullen's release.
John p. Smith swore that he asked for
Cullen's release and Sergeant Nickerson
refused to let him go without orders from
the chief.
Officers Rockford, Murphy and Porritt
testified to being with Sergeant Nicker-
son at the raid at Sullivan's place. A
large crowd was there and while they
were getting out, pail of beer was spilled.
Sullivan was arrested.
Officer Orrin Slocum said he was at the
the station when Sullivan was released.
NickersonIsaid the Chief and Judge chad
been down."
Chief Perry said he did not authorize
Sullivan's release. He consented to the
release OF Cullen. II was customary to
| release prisoners by order of the court or
Mayor.
| ing Sullivan's release.
The raid was made by order of Mayor
Brown.
This closed the case for the prosecu-
| tion.
Sergeant Nickerson said he released
Sullivan by order of Clerk Blodgett, and
| Cullen by order of the Chief.
Captain Rhodes, Detective Haberlin ano
City Sergeant Wilson testified to the
custom of releasing prisoners and to
Nickerson's faithfulness.
After the arguments had been heard,
Alderman Davis moved that Sergeant
Nickerson be returned to duty without
loss OF pay and Alderman Winters sec
onded the motion.
1t was voted to 60 into executive
session.
Upon reassembling a resolution was
adopted which SAID in substance that
while Sergeant Nickerson had violated
the law In relation to the release of pris-
oners, in accordance with an old. estab-
iished custom, there had been no wilful
violation OF duty. rhe resolution also
ordered that this costum be stopped and
that copy of the resolution be posted In
the police station.
1t was voted to meet on Thursday eve-
ming at 8 O'Clock.