The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1895-11-17
Wash. B. Williams,
9th and D SITS. N. w.
TRIAL BOARDS FINDIN GS
Policeman Vermillion Fined $40
for Gross Neglect of Duty.
Private Geoghan Found Not Guilty Of
Intoxicution and Charges \ against
Curtis and Doyle Dismissed.

Three reports from the police trial board
were given out last night The Commits
sioners approved the findings.
Private William VermilIion of the Ninth
precinct, was found guilty of gross neg
lect of duty aud fined $50. The offense
was committed November l, when he
failed to patrol his beat between and .
am. He was asleep at the station. The
charge was made by Sergeant Wall of
the Ninth Tue trial was at the Sixth
precinct on November 9, before Capt.
Austin and Lieutenants Swindells and
Hefrner.
Mr.. yermillion pleaded guilty and said
be had been under a severe mental strain
and loss of sleep. He felt sick at the sta
ton, sat down and remained too long.
He urged in extenuation his previous good
record aud brought Sergeant Wall, DR..
hewitt Inspector Cross, Sergeant Barry
and Sergeant Pearson TO prove it.
Policeman John Geoghsn of the Eighth
precinct, was found not guilty OF intoXi-
cation. The charge was made November
/, by Lieutenant Pearson. Mr.. Geoghan,
he said, was under the influence at
Ninth and Z northwest, at p. NJ, DC
tober 20. Geoghan was off duty. The
witnesses were Policemen j. A. Williams,
the rirst precinct. The time, place and
board were the same as In the preceding
case. Lieutenant Pearson, OH oath, said
he knew nothing about the case personally,
but investigated and brought il up.
Mr. Williams testified that he saw
Geoghau nearly collide with boy on a
bicycle at Ninth and + al the time charged.
Policeman McCort, who was near by, re-
marked tEatGeoghau WIS drunk, and he
d Inn. hon ha L.aI
going up the street. He was-six feet away
as Geoghau passed. Geoghan staggered
and wavered twice. He didn't speak to
the boy or anyone else. The boy cried,
''rciip. look ont as ne got off his wheel
10 prevent the accident Mr.. W!iiitns
was acting sergeant at the time. McCort
and Byer gave similar testimony.
Mr. Geoghan swure that he slipped on a
banana recl Just as the other men were
looking at him. He had been on leave 10
have supper with MIR. George Drew al
Breitbarth's saloon with his friends. He
had only taken one glass OF porter. He was
not in the baTrUOm, nut upstairs. His testi
mony was supported by Mr.. Drew, who was
with him On the OCCASION: by George Brett
barth, Daniel +. McInDis, and James X
Eppley.
The charges against Privates William H
Curtis and r. L. Doyle, tried October 8
| officer, were dismissed.
The specifications were that both of the
officers named had ON several occasions
last summer used harsh, vulgar and dis
respectful language toward Henry Ger
hold and his wife, Rosa Gerhold, and that
Curtis was similarly offensive toward one
McGlacklen.
The trouble with Gerhuld grew out OF
Sunday visits by the officers to his house
with q warrant for the arrest of a black
boy, named Willie simms, and their in
sistence that another hoy, named Willie
johnson, whom Mr.. Gerhold had had iu
his employ for eight or nine years, was the
one sought. Curtis is alleged to have gone
into Gerhuld's house In citizens clothes and
''hollered" and, the witness said, "he went
! on at great rate" Later they served q
warrant on the complainant for fast drv
ing, and made him dress in the area. After
ward he stated, Curtis arrested him on the
| street, when he was quietly attending &c
| his business, and charged him with dis
| orderly conduct. Both these cases were
dismissed when tried in court. The Ian
guage about Mclaughlin or "McGlachlen'
was exceedingly vulgar.
The Officers succeeded In disproving the
charges however.