Evening star., 1898-10-27
Policeman Martin, Special Officer
Mills and IA COlOred Nan on Trial.

Policeman Martin of the second precinct
Special Policeman Joseph Miles of the
Riggs market and Turner Whitney colored
employed at Garfield Hospital, We're de-
PENDANTS in cross-fire assault case heard
in Judge kimball's court this afternoon.
Turner Whitney was charged with having
assaulted the special officer while both
officers were charged with having used
violence on him. The colored mans head
was badly battered, and his wounds were
covered with bandages.
Whitney's case was the first tried, and he
was represented by Attorney Hewlett. On
behalf of the government it was admitted
that the colOred man had served a term in
prison for felonious assault and had been
fined more than once for assaultfng police
men. About II o'clock night. two
weeks ago, the colored man was spoken to
by the son of Special Officer Miles. who
accused him of having attempted to steal
two baskets of grapes. Miles called his
father, who followed Whitney and placed
him under arrest for alleged profanity
The officer contended that the colored
man attempted to strike him and that he
also made an effort to use his knee on him.
knowing the mans character and having
heard Of alleged threats he had made
Miles said he tapped him on his head with
a small stick.
For the defense Whitney went on the
stand and denied that he had touched the
grapes. He admitted he had been arrested
a number Of times, but said nobody ever
knew him to steal. He denied that he had
ever threa tened the special officers life and
said that this arrest was the result of the
feeling Miles had against him because of
an old case. The case was submitted to the
jury without argument.
The officers were then put on trial. Fof
the prosecution a number of witnesses were
called, but only one of them said anything
about the blows inflicted by Miles. This
witness said that the colored man was only
talking when they were inflicted.
Among the witnesses called to tell of the
blow delivered by Martin were r. c. Doug
lass. F. L. Cardcza, Robert Douglass, Jo-
seph Van Fleet. Policeman Martin, Fred. B.
Haskins aud j. w. DonLely. They all
agreed that wEile the colored man was In
the custody of the Defendants ard was
protesting that Miles had dubbed him for
nothing, Martin told him to shut up or he
would use his club. Then Whitney dared
him to strike which he did, and then told
Whitney tha. was what he got for daring
him.
After recess Attorney Chase, for the de-
PENDANTS. called number of witnesses to
proye the alleged bad character of the pros
ecuting witness. Defendant Miles was ex-
amined. He saic that he struck the Coiored
man when the latter attempted to strike
him. He krew the mans character, and
did not intend to take any chances with
him.
ed Mr.. MulloWny
1.-TWO light taps" was his answer.
did you cut his head?'
mo, SIR"
He said that Officer Martins blow cut
the mans head.
Defendant Martin explained that the COL
ored man was profane and abusive. Whit
ney pushed against him twice. and defen-
can't said he told Whitney IL he did it again
he would hit him. He then raised his knee
and struck 6t fen6ant in the stomach. Then
he hit him.
Several other witnesses were examined
and the case submitted to the jury