Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-27
POLICEMAN AND FIREMAN
Two Unworthy Members in the Police
Court
Omcer Michael Colbert and His
Men Lectured and Fined.

There was a member Of the police de-
partment and also member Of the fire de-
partment in the Police Court today for vio-
lations of law and both men were convict
ed and fined. The case Of Policeman Mich
ael Colbert Of the third precinct was
heard In Judge KmbalPs court, the charge
against him being profanity. while John
Davidson, the fireman. was tried before
Judge Miller for assaulting a milk dealer.
The former case attracted a large crowd
of policemen and other spectators. and
Prosecuting Attorney Pugh made speech,
In which he arraigned the policeman in
severest terms
Il am here to do my duty" said Mr..
Pugh, land I'm going to do it, whether the
defendant be policeman or whether he be
a citizen"
Mrs. Annie Craven, a respectable look
ing colored woman, who lives at 623 New
Hampshire avenue. was in court to prose-
cute the man in blue clothes and brass but
tons. She was in the employ of Mr.. Will
liam Mckinney at the time the policeman
committed the offense, and there was no
one In court to say q word against her
character, other than the policeman on
trial.
According to her statement and the ad-
mission of the officer. he borrowed or OBJ
tanned from her 81. She lived on his beat,
IS
'And this STAT, mem of he officer" argued
Mr.. Pugh, lis an intimation that it was
hush money"
He Made Threats.
Mrs. Craven's testimony showed that the
policeman did not intend to pay back the
moLey, and so she went to his lieutenant
This higher official advised him to pay the
money, which he did, but very reluctantly.
Then the policeman began INDUCING in
threats to get even
I'm going to vag her." was one threat
stated by a witness. and I'm going to lock
her up the first time see her on the street."
was another
After sending word to the woman Colbert
called in person and INDUCED in some lam
guage for which he had arrested others,
and Mrs. Craven, feeling offended at his
conduct, Swore out the warrant
The policeman admitted the transa ction
about the dollar, but made general denial
Of everything else said against him.
Then he Aaid the woman was not a re-
spectacle onS He gave as his reason for
calling upon Aer that she had been logging
his partners footsteps about the beat, and
taking friendly interest in his partner He
had called to bring about an end of the
trouble and save his partner. If possible.
The Penalty.
Other witnesses gave evidence and the
court heard arguments. Lawyer Sillers, for
the officer. argued his side of the case
claiming an acquittal, and then the court
heard what the prosecuting attorney had
to say.
1.-The officers statement that he borrowed
81 from a prostitute" argued counsel
''makes the case much worse than 1 had
even anticipated, but the proof shows that
she is a respectable woman. He borrowed
the money in August. and the woman had
got hoa l ayrar. cir Is,
vas forced to go to the lieutenant, and
then he paid her.
Mr. Pugh referred to the officers state
ment about his partner and also his claim
that she had violated the law, and said
that, o. examination, he had utterly failed
to show single violation.
Judge kimball said that the conduct of
the officer was ineXcusable. He concluded
from Coltert's statement that his Col
bert's) partner had acted badly, and 1t ap-
peared as If Colbert was trying to make
his partner jealous.
Il have notified policemen more than
once" said the judge. of the consequences
of their violating the law, and have told
tfem that the penalty in their cases would
be double. This is not to be an exception,
and fine of $40 is imposed.
Fireman Fined.
John Davidson, the fireman, is a 11em-
Der of No. company. lie has not been a
member Of the department very long and
his conduct in this case will probably result
in his being brought before the board.
Dairyman Hollidge made complaint that
Davidson had helped himself to milk from
his wagon, and not only did he refuse to
pay for it, but he assaulted him UHolIidge)
for just asking for payment.
Il understand just how this happened,
remarked the court. you had been drink
ing and thought you would sober up on
milk
Yes, 1 had been drinking" admitted
the fireman, and a fine of $40 was imposed.