The sun., 1897-12-04
TWO CORoNERS INDICTED.
OoOMBS AND NASOS CHARGED WITH
GRAND LARCENY IN KINGS.

The Grand Jury Finds Them Guitty OF Present-
ting False Cinims TOR Hnaueats TheJ b'a SOS
Hole ana CoiiectinE Payment Shere"n
from the Csunty-1ny me More Trsubie-
Coroners Edward u. Coombs and george H.
Mason Of Brooklyn were jointly and separately
indicted yesterday by the Kings County Grand
Jury. They were jointly indicted for presenting
ON alleged false and fraudulent claim against
tho county for 2,l76 for inquests said To nave
been held in July last. The other indictments
charge the Coroners separately with grand
larceny In the first degree In having obtained
from the city u, ,OSS each on the alleged fraud
ulent claims. Tho Grand Jury also made this
presentment in regard to the Coroners' office.
That in opinion II ia the duty OF the proper an.
horties to present 10 subsequent Grand Jury euch
further proof as may be obtsinabe with reference TO
the ofice Of the Coroners OF Kings county anu we 10
further recommend that such proof and investigation
nee s M & TO and include the as sma rassnt
bents OF that ofice, and the Grand Jury OF the
That tho evidence now in the hands Of the District
Attorney, with reference to the ONCE OF the Corones
be Obtained by Sm be place 10 the hsnos OF the
proper authorities the end that action may be
ali city
and the county Of kn ns To se Ss
the public funds.
Coroners Coombs and Mason were in their office
Court. They were accompanied thther by their
counsel. former Assistant District Attorney
Frederick A. Crane. and sheriff William J. But
Ting. They were arraigned before Judge As
ginall. and when the Indictment was read Mr..
Crane said: I'VE plead not guilty, reservinR
the right, after an inspection OF the minutes or
the Grand Jury, to demur, to ask that the in
dictments he set aside. or to make such other
Mr.. Crane asked for an adjournment of
twenty days. but District Attorney Backus OBJ
iected. He, however, was willing TO grant the
defendants week time.
what 1t has taken the Grand Jury month to
dol"
Judge Aspinnl granted an adjournment of
ten days. Mr.. Crane received permission to in
tion of bail came up, District Attorney Backus
suggested that each man bo compelled to fur
nish bail In the sum of $4,000. This was not
objected to, and Sheriff Buttlng became the
$4,000.
The joint indictments cover 3o5 alleged In
quests said to have been held during July last,
OF which Coroner Coombs Is represented as hav-
The separate indictment against Coroner Coombs
specifies two instances of alleged fraudulent in.
quests reported, one on the body of Florence
Fuller, months old, OF 1873 Bridge street, who
died on July "a and tho other on that of vii.
liam 1. Milner 1ia years old, of 81 Third street.
who died on June 80.
In the indictment against Coroner Mason, the
specific charges are that he reported inquests on
the bodies Of Harriet r. s. Rowland. 4s years
old, Of l32 Rutledge street. who died ON July CO.
and William Porter, 81 years old. of 123 Oak
street, who died ON July 81.
The law provides that u statement shall be
filed with the Department of Health by the
Coroners. and 1t is alleged that the Coroners
quests were held. Both Coroners retire from
office at the close OF the year.