New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-27
SUSPENDED FOR HIS SHOT.
POLICEMAN HANNIGAN TO BE TRIED AND
TO ANSWER TO THE GRAND JURY.
CHIEF McULLAcH DOES NOT THINK THE POLICE
MAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IMME-
DIATELY THE BOY HAD TOLD HIS
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES MOSS AND
ANDREWS ARE INDIGNANT

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES MOSS AND
ANDREWS ARE INDIGNANT
BECAUSE HE WASN'T.
Policeman John j. Hannigan, who shot the boy.
Charles L. Mentally in the leg while chasing him
for playing football on Thanksgiving Day. has been
suspended from duty without pay pending trial
on charges by the Commissioners Of Police. This
action taken yesterday by Chief McCullagh
after he had read the report submitted by Captain
Creeden OF the East One-hundred- a nd -fourth-st.
station, who Is Hannigan's ander. The Chief
said afterward that Hannigan was not arrested
at the time OF the shooting. like any other citizen
because Of the statement made by him to his
captain.
According to the Captains report Of the case.
Hannigan said he did not shoot with tho intention
OF hitting the boy. but because he wanted to at
tract the attention OF another policeman. He
pulled his pistol with this intention and Just az he
was IN the act OF pulling the trigger his foot
slipped and tho bullet. which he had Intended
10 20 high in tho air. took another course ana
struck Mentally on the leg. According TO the Cap
taln's report. Hannigan says he blew his whistle,
but It had effect. and then he drew his re-
vover The report said that the wound on tho
boys leg was go slight that he did not know he
was wounded until after no had been taken to the
police station.
When Chief McCullagh was asked II the police
man should not have been arrested Immediately ne
said that under the circumstances he Thought not
but 1t would be better to suspend him and place him
on trial. so that It could be properly determined IL
the policeman had been guilty Of a criminal action.
"If II Is found on investigation that such Is the
case" said the Chief then It Will DO plenty OF time
to place him under arrest and let the law take us
course"
President Moss and Commissioner Andrews do not
agree with the Chief. Mr.. Andrews said yesterday
that the police had been instructed time and again
fheir
escaping thieves and in self-deience. and he con-
sdered that when Hannigan pulled his pistoi ana
fired 1t he committed a criminal act and should
have been arrested at the time. the same as any
body else 49,, ,r,.,
nigan." ne said should have been arrested at the
very time that he shot the boy AS iar az Ga
for for his isS act ."'''
Charges have been preferred against the police
man and no will be placed on trial next week In
the mean time he Will not draw any pay. In 40
the result OF tho bsS ssYe 10 IN ,ns
his act before tho Grand Jury. ,,.
him 1" in S court Before Magistrate crane when Po
liceman Hanniga1 brought forward his complain IAN
told tRer tales and n. Mss.a n at once die
charged the boy. telling him. however, that he had
Sad W G !" TSen MDS SENIOR made
plant against the policeman and the case was
believe your story Ofc.r aid MaSsiraic
Crane hnay eg, yours wa. an 'nTTcuiaos Hc
when his life is endangered. is in his pocket In
this you certainly had no right 10 draw IL
Ii WAS entirely unnecessary 10 fire In the air. and
you certainly had no right 10 fire nj the boy. Tho
police here 10 protect lie and property. and
not to put life in danger You In serious
scrape. and am sorry. but I'll have 10 entertain
a complaint against you"
The father wanted the Magistrate TO take an
other complaint against Hannigan for striking lis
eight-year-od daughter Nellie. but the Magistrate
advised him TO keep still. adding that ne didn't
believe any Intentional assault had been com
mited. Hannigan was held in $50 bail. which he
furnished. for the Grand Jury.