The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-04-05
WASLYNCH "FIXED?'
Failed to Appear at the
Tombs to Prosecute a
New York Detective.
HIS LAWYERS CHARGE
Says Supt. Smith Tried to Per-
suade the Jerseyman Not to
Appear Against Sheridan.

New YORK, April 5, 1S94-There was an
unusually large crowd in the Tombs Police
Court this morning, the predominant ele-
ment being habitues of pool rooms, race
track touts and friends of Captain O'Con-
nor's Ward Detective George Sheridan who
is under arrest for brutally clubbing John
J. Lynch of Jersey City, in Harry Payton's
pool room in the Merchants Hotel Cort-
landt street. Tuesday evening.
Sheridan was practically not under arrest
until this morning. The warrant charging
aggravated assault was issued by Justice
Taintor, in the police court, yesterday after
bell, of the Court Squad, to serve. The
Roundsman found the detective at
the Church Street police station at
six o'clock and executed service
by simply telling Sheridan to
appear in court this morning. Why inn
munity from arrest should be extended to
Sheridan, in view of the fact that he is
charged with serious offence, and war
rant had been issued for his arrest, Rounds.
man Campbell refused to explain further
than that Sheridan was public official, and
there was no fear of his running away.
LYNCH FAILED TO APPEAR.
The complainant, Lynch, failed to appear
when the case was called
HE will be here,p said w. Lane O'Neill,
counsel for Lynch. "He was with me at ten
o'clock last night, your Honor, and I sup
pose he slept little late"
Joe Moss, of Howe & Hummeps office,
stated that Mr.. Howe had been retained to
defend Sheridan, but was engaged in an
other court this morning.
II have been instructed to ask for an adj
journment," continued Mr.. Moss, ssuntH to-
morrow, as Mr.. Howe desires to give his
personal attention to the case"
Lawyer O'Neill consented to an adjourn
ment, but insisted that Sheridan should be
be placed under bail The prisoner was,
however, paroled in the custody of Captain
O'CoDnor, who was not present. A half
dozen witnesses to the assault were present
ready to testify to the truth of Lynch's
allegations that the assault was brutal and
unprovoked. They were much disappointed
at the complainant's on-appearance.
Lawyer O'Neill promised that Lynch
would appear tomorrow and that in the
event of his failure to do so, steps would be
taken to compel him to be present.
CHRISTIE SMITH INTERESTED.
"He told me last night said Mr.. O'Neill,
ssthat Chief of Police Smith Of Jersey City
had called on him yesterday and tried to
persuade him to drop the matter Other
witnesses residing in Jersey City also re-
ceived visits from Chief Smith, but the Su-
perintendentis opportunities failed of eff
feet.
There is suspicion that Lynch, who
practically has monopoly of the milk bust
ness in Jersey City, has either been intimi-
dated by the police or else been fixed" by
the friends of the accused detective. The
police could make it exceedingly unpleasant
for him if they desired, and for that reason
it is strongly suspected he has concluded to
drop the prosecution.
Should he fail to appear tomorrow, Lawyer
O'Neill will proceed to have him punished.
The case will not end there, for there are
two others who felt the heavy end of Sheri-
dams club who will swear out complaints,
and will prosecute the action To the end
There is also a civil action for $4,000
damages brought against Sheridan by Lynch
and others may be commenced.
Whatever the result of the court proceed
ings, the probabilities are that Detective
Sheridan will lose his buttons, for Superin-
tendent Byrnes is investigating the affair.
Capt. O'Connor, too, will have to explain
to Supt. Byrnes why he allowed a pool room
to run openly in his precinct, and why
Sheridan, who had been seen there many
times, was allowed to serve as police detec-
tive and bouncer for Mr.. Poynton's estab-
lishnlent.