The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-20
The Charge Of Unprofes ssionaI
Conduct Not Sustained.
A Heavy Suit for Damages Brought
by a Brakems-
District ana other Court Cases Heard
Today.

Chief Justice Matteson and his colleagues,
Judges stiness and Tillinghast, this morn
ing after about an hours hearing of testi-
mony offered by Mr.. Rich, attorney for
Eutache Roberts OF Lincoln, dismissed the
proceedings against Judge Thomas z. Lee. of
woonsoclSet, for unprofessional conduct
Judge Lee was not required TO produce any
testimony, as the court held the petitioner
had not made out prima facie case.
There was a large number of members OF
the bar in attendance at the hearing, and at
its conclusion many Of them expected the
court would have something to say to Mr..
Rich on account os the poor showing made by
him against the respondent the begin
ming of the proceedings, Attorney Charles A.
Wilson asked the court to strike out from the
complaint against Judge Lee the charge that
he had kept certain sums OF money obtained
from the complainant for Mary Lagasse, as
the latter was the only one that could make
complaint in that regard. The court granted
the motion, and this rather Limited the ex-
tent Of the complainant's testimony.
A number OF witnesses were examined, in
cluding Deputy Sheriff Cook, the complain
ant, his wife and his brother. The complain
ant testified to being arrested by Sheriff Cook
OiA oNig ~ AoSot ohu gums W SNNbS NS~ Va
fee. The latter told him the case against him
was a bad one, that he was charged with hav-
ing seduced one Mary Lagasse, and he would
have TO settle or go 10 jail. Roberts further
testified that he told Lee he had no money,
and finally agreed TO give Lee a mortgage on
some property owned by him in Blackstone.
and that mortgage on this property for 5000
was given. In cross examination, Roberts ad'
mitted that he had talked the matter over
with Lee several times, and had the benefit
OF counsel at the sale of the property, which
took place in the following November. he
had brought these proceedings against Judge
Lee because he wanted TO get some of his
money back. He also admitted that he never
talked with the Lagasse woman about whether
or not Judge Lee had paid her the money re-
allied from the sale Of his property, under q
foreclosure of the mortgage.
Some Of the witnesses claimed they could
not speak English, though residents OF the
Northern City told Attorney Wilson these
witnesses could do se,-At- the conclusion -oi
the testimony for the compliments, Mr.. vii
son said: "Your honors, is there anything
here that Judge Lee should be require d to
answer" 2" The court intimated that there was
not and then Mr.. Rich asked permission tc
address the court. This was granted, ana h,
argued that Roberts had been arrested. and
that no legal cause of action was stated in the
writ
In leply, the Chief Justice stated that al
the testimony showed there was considerabl,
time between the arrest and the foreclosur,
OF the mortgage, the charge Of intimidation
was not strong enough for any summary pro
aaadinus aud fhat IL thar. false
prisonment Mr.. Robert had his remedy, and
the court would dismiss the charges against
the res pondent.