Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-08
REMARKABLE CRITICISM
Prosecutor Pugh Upholds the Police in
Unjusifahe Arrests.
Attempts to Critfcfse the Court
Judge TaylOTs Bignified Rebuke
The Newton Case Reviewed.

Yesterday afternoon in the Poir.o Court
In the case of Mrs Minnie Bergman,
charged with keeping her bar at aOo3 18th
street open on Sunday, Policeman Gela-
bert concluded his evidence after The Stars
report closed. He told of his conduct while
In the fourth precinct, and informed the
court Of his reasons also saying he had
taken the pledge
Ia" Lawyer Shillington made an argument
for his client, dwelling upon the evidence
or Policeman Gelabert, and referring to the
evidence given to break down his testi-
mony. He frequently reminded the jury Of
Gelaberts own evidence concerning the
part ne took in the raid on Frank Halls
saloon. which did not take place, and asked
the jury TO disregard his testimony: Dur
ing the course of his argument he said he
thought the fact that Mrs. Bergmanns EN-
p1oyes were in the place cleaning up after
saturday nights business should not be
held against her. 90 -.
Mr.. Pugh, for the District, made an earn
est appeal to the jury. He said it was a
sad spectacle to see officers come into court
and swear against their brother officers, as
had been done in both courts in one day.
ana he thought that some action by per-
sons other than the judges was necessary.
In his argument he endeavored to rob the
case OF any sympathy for the woman, the
result OF the attack on Officer Celia bert, and
claimed a conviction on the evidence given
for the defense The law, he argued, pro-
rIdes that the place must be closed and 1t
certainly was not closed when these people
cmpioyeS or not, were in the place on Sun
day.
Judge Mills sustained Mr.. Pugh's Idea of
the INV. and Mrs. Bergman was convicted
Cctisel gave notice OF a motion for a
new trial
Policeman Herbert. who was mentioned
as the Old oiiicer who enticed Officer Celia
bert II TO drinking place, and started him
on the wrong track. derie the statement of
Geli tert.
The transaction in connection with the
raid which did not take place will be fur
tner Investigated. Although the evidence in
court showed what was dore, and that
some of Gelaberts superior officers were
aware of it. Maj. Moore knew nothing of 1t
Until he read the account of the trial in
yesterdays Star.
remarkable Criticism.
The efficiency of the police force came up
in Judge Taylor's court this morning when
Prosecuting Attorney Pugh openly stated
that the police were dissa tisfed with the
courts disposition of some of the cases
He said that the court, of course, was not
so well acquainted with the regular visitors
and the fact that many of them had been
discharged not only dissatisfied them but
discouraged them. MI. Pugh concluded his
few remarks by saying that there had been
IL great many c0inpssllntS maze. ana ne
Vugh) thought there had been a great
amount OF leniency shown by the court
The remarks were made when Lawyer
William L. LaSelle waS on trial On a charge
of vaSrancy. He was in court yesterday on
a similar charge. thefresult OF drunkenness
and Mr.. fuSn suggested a ten days sen
tence. But the victim of alcohol made
III oInises. ard the court reiea sed him. He
went from court. and soCn got drunk and
was picked up on the Bl1densburg road
where he was in danger of being run over
ard killed. Policemen Kenny and Steara
arrested him. 90
In answer to Mr.. Pughs remarks Judge
Taylor said he was going to do his duty
when cases are brought into court for trial
ana the police have no right to criticisC tn.
courts action. ...
Il am sworn to dispose of the cases to the
best OF my ability. the judge said IAN 4
that / intend to do. | am going TO conduct
the court to the best interest of the Dis
tfict and the tax payers, no matter how
some officers exhibit great zeal in the cases;
they bring here, and fully one-haif of them
merit dismissal There are entirely too
many arrests made"
Vigorous Step.
Lawyer Walter made an earnest plea fer
the liberty of his client, whom he called
General Lasselle, and said that a work
i house sentence was no punishment to him.
Then" said Mr.. Pugh, the courts had
better be abolished. But even il il is no
punishme mt he is kept off the streets
MI. Pugh complained that the court should
have sent LGsSelle down yesterday, when
he was in court
Judge Taylor thought that such WAS prob
ably the case, but he cid not do it,
Then, in further answer to MIR. Pugh's