The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-10-27
HUNTS BRUTAL DEED
The Biting Ex-Police mans
Fate in the Hands of
a Jury,
HIS PLEA ISSELF DEFENCE
Judge Hudspeth Locked Up the
Jurors-Work Of an Un-
goyernable Temper.

Former Policeman John Hunt was
placed on trial in the General Sessions
Court lust after recess yesterday for
MAYHEM. and the case occupied the at
tent:on of the Court up to recess today
Hunts lawyers, ex-Judge norman ana
William H.. Speer, put up a strong nght
for him, and Assistant Prosecutor MOO
nan made out a remarkably strong case
for the State. Hunt is a man of I'M
governable temper, and when that tenn
per is inflamed by stimulants he seems
to have no control over himself. He has
been in serious trouble several lines and
was dismissed from the police force twice
but was reinstated through the influence
of his brothers, James and William. 1t
was also their influence that got him out
of other scrapes. Hunt became impressed
with the notion recently that Detectives
Michael Doyle and William Dalton were
carrying tales about him to, his brothers
and he determined upon revenge.
On the evening of September 10 he went
to the First precinct police station IN com,
pany with James Quinn. Hun had told
Quinn, who was out of employment, that
he might be able to get him a JOB. Hunt
took Quinn into Captain Farrier,s office
and asked the Captain to give Quinn a
letter TO Clayland Tilden, who is freight
agent for the Pennsylvania railroad
Company. Captain Farrier told him that
letters were not of much account, but
that he would see Mr.. Tilden personally.
That was satisfactory and Hunt took
Quinn up stairs to Police Headquarters,
saying that he wanted to see someoody
up there. Detective Clos was on duty.
Hunt asked him if Chief Murphy was
there. Clos replied that he was not and
that he probably would not be there that
Doyle was in. Clos said he was not, but
that it was his night on and he was liable
to arrive at any moment. defective cos
told Hunt, and Quinn that they might
wait in the detectives room and they
vent in there and sat down. Doyle ar,
rived a few minutes later ana Cos tolo
him that there was a party IN the room
who wanted to see him.. Doyle went INTO
not know, and Hunt.
do you want to see me?' asked Doyle;
Yes, | do" replied Hunt. You ama
Dalton have been talking to Jim about
me" ~
Seeing that Hunt was excited n APP
parently looking for trouble, Doyle oroer-
ed him to leave the room. >,
EFF YOU have any trouble with Dalton
he said; you must settle 1T with ham- l
don't want you to bother me" /,
With tina Hunt jumped at Doyle ana
struck him a powerful blow in the face;
Then he grabbed Doyle by the coiiar amn
around the body and pressing him up
close began to butt him WIN nus heh his
teeth and bit off a portion OIL II. Doyle
called for Clos and the later ran in from
the front room and pulled Hunt on. me
telephone bell began to ring and CLOS went
to answer ita Hunt made another spring
at DOYLE, but the detective had pulled MS
billy, or black jack, out by ohat ume,
and he met Hunts onslaught with several
blows on the head, knocking him down;
All the fight was taken out of Hunt, and
he covered his head with his arms TO
save himself. Policemen O'keefe n
Iosev went upstairs from the patroimenS
waiting room in the station house, and
placed Hunt under arrest. Inc lore
going is the story as 1t was told py tne
Witnesses for the State yesterday after
noon. -
would be shown that Hunt acted in self
defence, and that he was justlfled because
DOYLE had made threats that he would 90
Hunt up with his black jack If he gave
him any provocation.
Doyle was the aggressor. He aid that
as soon as Doyle entered the room ne
called him names and made an attack on
him. He had no recollection Whatever o.
having bitten a piece of Doyle's ear OH:
Assistant Prosecutor Noonan suggested
that if Hunts story was true, Doyle
must nave bitten his own ear off in pur-
suance of his determination to in1ure
Hunt.
About five O'Clock the case was adj
iourned until this morning. Judge Hubs
peth, in order to prevent any possible eff
fort to tamper with the jury, ordered
them locked up for the night and they
were taken to the Hotel Washington.
James Quinn, the man who was with
Hunt, testified this morning that when
Doyle entered the room Hunt accused
him of talking to Jim about him. Doyle
ordered Hunt to leave the room. Then the
two men clinched, but the witness could
not tell which one struck the first blow.
Counsel summed up before recess and the
case was given to the jury in the after