The sun., 1894-08-17
CAPT. PRICE ExPLAINs,
Hut Justice voorhis Stin Insists that HI.
Criticism IL just.


Criticism IL just.
Justice voorhis yesterday administered an
other rebuke to Capt. Price of the West Thirty
seventh street station In connection with his
management of the case Of Joseph NORM of o61
West Thirtieth street, who Is accused OF stab
bing and killing Charles Morris on the night OF
Aug. 4. The Justice had criticised the Captain
on Wednesday, and sent for him to appear in
the jefferson Market Court yesterday. Capt.
Price took seat beside the Justice. and when
the case was called the latter turned to him and
said:
II criticised your conduct yesterday. Capt.
Price. in regard to what you have done in this
matter. and l sent for you in order that you
might make some explanation
"Your criticism is unjust, Justice voorhis."
was the Captains reply.
IF you had been here yesterday you would
not say that. When Policeman Lewis brought
up the case everything needed from the stand
point Of the Police Department was lacking.
The papers of the ante-mortem examination
were not here. the Coroner was not here and
James Ford, who, it is claimed. saw the stab
bing. was not here. Near the scene of the affray
a bloody knife, still wet, found, but tho
owner OF it, who and where is he? Neither were
there any detectives from your precinct here, as
is usual in such cases. The wife and mother OF
for them what might otherwise have done. Do
you not think. therefore, that am justified In
my criticism of you, Capt. Price"
your criticism is entirely unjust was on sick
leave at the time OF the occurrence. and knew
house. then questioned Patrolman Lewis and
found he had done all ! considered necessary in
tectiSes have ali they can do. When they work
at night l cannot make them work all day. l
think It unjust to ssS the Least to Grcse me
The Captain was very earnest throughout his
speech, and clearly showed his resentment Of the
Now, let me further explain the case" Jus
tice Voorhis continued. The two men in this
an alteration and clnched, and then one fails
to the sidewalk. crying out that he is stabbed.
Soth were re tdkgh p s1 une s and Mnrris stTees
sent to the New York Hospital while NORM was
locked up. The next morning there was no
doctors certificate as TO the wounded mans con-
% ousy hurt. H W. Norm was released in 1000 bail.
Two days later learned that Morris was more
seriously hurt than was at first supposed. Norm
was rearrested and committed without bail.
Then received certitcate TO the effect that
release OF NORM on $1,000 bail, but forty five
hours later Morris died. His alleged assailant
was again committed without bail. The bloody
knife has. AS yet. no owner, and do not see that
any effort has been made to hnd one. The case
competent man. is not the one 10 take care OF
such q case. IL IS customary, when a murder is
committed, Tor the captain anu tne detectives
OF the precinct TO go out and investigate but, as
/ say, you left the case TO Lewis, a patrolman."
Then Police Justice NoOrhis leaned back In
his chair and regarded the police Officer mar
rOwly.
Lawyer Grossman of the firm OF Friend &
House who is counsel for NORM. then leaned
across the desk and said to Capt. Price:
- know that Justice voorhis will endorse me
when say we both have great respect for your
efficiency as police Captain"
Yes" replied the Justice, Il would neither
criticise Capt Prices good looks nor his good
manners"
"Oh, I'm used TO tafy. Justice" said the Cap
tam. THE proof OF your respect Is that you did
not make me Captain when you were MEM
ber OF the Board OF Police Commissioners"
The Justice smiled. and the discussion ended.
Then James Francis Ford was called as a wit
ness He said that he knew absolutely nothing
of the case, having been several blocks away
when IL took place. Justice Voorhis looked first
at the policeman, then at the witness, and shook
his head sadly The police end OF the case
again failed when the ante-mortem statement
of Morris submitted as evidence. Justice
VoOrhis looked over the paper and said:
This statement cannot be admitted. IL was
made six days before the man died, and at a
time wheu he states he did not think he was
going 20 die. This is not "A correct ante-mortem
statement"
The Justice threw down his pen In despair.
" | can do nothing more with the case he said,
"than let It go to the Grand Jury