Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-08
BEFORE THE TRIAL BOARD
Sergeant Daley Appears in Answer to
Gessford's Charges.
Ohtecr sutton Enumerated Yesterday
A Witness Makes n Scene and
Gets in Trouble.

wind that blows nobody good. He has been
complained against twice by Sam. Gassen-
heimer of the Hotel Lawrence during the
past month, and the second case was tried
yesterday. Not only the officer exoEer-
ated. but he had the pleasure of hearing his
superior officers tell the members of the
trial board that he Is lone of the finest on
the force. This case already stated, was
brought by Gassenh elmer. and not by a
member of the police force. The evidence
in the case developed a singular condition
Of affairs. The charge was that the officer
figured i'm affair in Nettie Russcirs house
in the Division" when the woman is alleg-
ed to have attempted suicide. She, however,
attributes that illness to nervousness, and
says she took no poison.
In this connection John Tralnmell. a nap
who had to sever his connection with the
police force because of charges against him,
played an important part, and he admitted
that he had been at GaSsenheimer'S place
many times. Then he told of Policeman
Suttons alleged confession concerning his
presence in the house of Nettie Russell at
the time mentioned.
The testimony Of Gassenheimer interested
the trial board. because he had to admit
his reasons for bringing the policeman be-
fore the board. In his direct evidence he
said he h Ad been moved in the matter be-
cause it was his duty as good citizen, but
when Lawyer Siliers, for the defendant,
cross-examined him, he admitted that Po-
liceman Sutton had arrested him eight times
for alleged violation s of the law. Seven of
these We're for violations of the liquor law
and one for a dangerous assault. He said
he is now under a suspension of sentence
in the assault case, and there is one liquor
case lending against him.
Before he left the room he made use of
language to the effect that he could get
other witnesses from Rum Row against
the officer. Incidentally he remarked that If
acquitted officer
latter would continue his persecution of
liquor dealers, but member of the board
made the remark that persons who do not
violate the law cannot be prosecuted.
a colored boy of doubtful moral character
and a colored woman employed as chamber
maid were the only witnesses who said that
the officer was in the house on the night in
question, and the boy said that the officer
was in the house from O'Clock in the even
ing until in the morning, and that he sent
witness for DIR. Johnson.
The police record was here produced, and
it showed that the officer went on duty that
night at midnight. Dr. Johnson said that he
did not see the officer when he responded to
the call
Then Gassenheimer had Nettie Russell
called and she denied that there any
truth in the charge against the officer. She
only knew the officer by sight, and denied
that she had ever given him watch. Nettie
then informed the trial board that a man
whose name she did not know had told her
that if the trial board convicted Sutton she
could get anything she wanted-money or
anything else.
The officer denied the charge. and at
tributed the action of Gassenheimer to his
(the officer's) prosecutions of him.
Lieut.. Amiss Night Inspector Pearson and
Sergeants Moore and Shilling gave evidence
as to the officers reputation, and they said
he was one of the best officers in the pre-
cinct.
The trial board will recommend the &C
quittal of the officer.
The Daley Case.
Sergeant Daley's case was not reached
yesterday as the hearing of Officer Sutton
case was not finished until o'clock in the
eve ming. This morning. however, SerSt.
Daley was hand promptly at 10 o'clock
with his witnesses Lieut. Gessford, who
preferred the charge, was also there with
his witnesses, and the hearing was COM
mcnCed The chief witness against Sergt.
Daley was r. G. DILL newspaper reporter,
who wrote an interview with Sergt. Daley
concerning Lieut. Gessford.
Dill met Sergt. Daley in the toilet room
and called him TO account for the publica-
tion of an article in a morning paper, and
Stalking his hand in the officers face, said:
'If You say what l wrote is not true you're
a liar"
tinued his TRADE against the officer. The
latter placed him under arrest and turned
him over to the officer on duty.
Later the reporter was told that he was
not under arrest, and was called before the
board as a witness.
Just what he said about the interview is
known only to those in the room, for the
trial was held with closed doors.
The trial proceeded, but the result will
not be known for some days, as the findings
of the board will have to be passed upon by
the Commissioners after being reviewed by
Major Moore.
There was a vacancy caused last night by
the resignation Of Policeman Eaton. The
officer was before the trial board recently
on charge of resting on door step while
on duty, and as the officer had obtained
position in Baltimore he thought he had
better not wait to hear the result of his