The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-26
POLICE COURT FIGHT
THE LIE PASSES AND BEN THORN
TGN KNOCKS A MAN DOWN.
The Final elimination of Some Fiery
Words Which Were n Part of
the CIeggett Trial.

Nettie Cleggett. who is charged with
the murder of her infant child was given
a preliminary hearing before Judge Stubs.
in Police Court, yesterday morning. George
Henry, who was arrested at the same time
upon a charge of immortality, also
given a hearing. Thomas Hanna appeared
in behalf of the couple. Detective Ben
Thornton is the prosecutions chief witness.
Incidental to the examination, yesterday,
Mr.. Hanna and the court INDUCED in a
sharp bit of repartee, and Thornton knocked
Henry down, for which he was arrested
1t was one of the liveliest times Police
Court has known since Judge Stubs took
Detective Thornton began by recting the
incidents of the arrests and the circuin-
called him to step and said he was to re-
late only facts and not repeat hearsay evil
dence. Thornton replied that he would act
at the order of the court but he was not
subject to the orders of any attorney.
II arrested Mrs. Cleggett at No. 80 North
had s lived at No q Roanoke Street ts whe ee
/ made the arrest / told her to tell me the
whole truth, and asked her if it true
that she had smothered her child. She hest
tated-"
Don't wander in your. testimony" di-
rected Mr. Hanna warninsly and with some
show of evaporation, for he had previous
ly warned Thornton to eliminate all hear
say testimony and repeat only the CONVEX
sation held with the defendant. Again
Thornton began to testify, but Mr.. Hanna
jumped to his feet and stopped him with
the remark:
Tell only what you know
II will, if you will keep STILL" answered
Thornton angrily.
testimony, which was obtained with many
objections from Mr.. Hanna, was to the
effect that Henry and Mrs. Cleggett had
lived at No. 81 Roanoke street, where on
Dec. Y, female child was born, which
died Dec. rs. To Thornton, the mother adj
mitted having smothered 1t. Upon the in
PRODUCTION of the last bit of testimony Mr.
Hanna entered emphatic objections. Judge
Stubs told him to be quiet, as the trial
was merely preliminary, and the court
wanted to hear all the evidence. without
stopping to debate upon its Importance.
Judge stubbs ordered Mrs. Cleggett to take
the stand.
II object" said Mr.. Hanna. springing to
TAKE fhe stand" repeated the court, ig-
noring Mr.. Hanna's objection.
Don't you do it" demanded Mr.. Hanna,
There was fire in the Judges eye, as he
turned and said rather sharply to the at
torney:
Governor, take your seat Do you under
stand?"
IF the court so orders, replied Mr. Han
ma, as he took his seat Mrs. Cleggett took
the witness stand and the court asked her:
Were you and Henry married while you
lived together on Roanoke street?''
Don't you answer that" cried Mr. Han
ma, forgetting the recent order of the court
and jumping to his feet.
Mr.. Hanna, | wish you would keep quiet
and take your seat, said the court. Mr.
Hanna entered a strong objection to the
way he was being treated and said all he
asked was fair treatment for himself and
client. Judge Stubs stopped all discussion
by sending Mrs. Cleggett to the grand jury.
Henry placed on trial. and. chiefly
upon the testimony Of detective Thornton,
was fined $l00 and sentenced to the work
house for $50 days. AS the prisoner was be-
inf led back To the coop. he passed detec-
tive Thornton and addressed him something,
like the following:
Thornton. YOU lied about me. and you
know you did
.This is no place for an argument" re-
piled Thornton.
Henry answered with even more insulting