Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-16
ARRAIGNED On CHARGES.
Policeman A. w. sStevent0n Before
Trial omcor Sinclair.

Trial 0mcor Sinclair.
Policeman A. W. 0eventon Of the sixth
precinct had hearing today before Acting
Trial Officer A. Leftwick Sinclair, charged
| with conduct unbecoming an officer and
| neglect of duty. It was alleged that the
officer on or about 11:3O pm, August 8.
| used profane language to Edward j.
| Whalen; also that while on duty the same
evening he entered Ia Chinese restaurant
| on ~ street. where he partook Of refresh
| ments. Mr.. Steventon denied both charges.
The first witness was Maggie Mclean,
otherwise known as Maggie OBrien, who is
now serving a term IN the workhouse for
vagrancy She stated that she was in the
restaurant mentioned and that when the
officer entered he approached the table
where she was sitting and took seat near
her. Steyenton, she alleged, began a con-
versation with the witness by asking how
Edward j. Whalen, friend Of the witness,
| made living. The witness replied that
she did not know, and then, she asserted,
the officer launched into a volley of abuse
and profanity.
In reply to questions from Mr.. Steventon,
the woman admitted having served several
terms In prison for assault disorderly con-
duct and vagrancy. The record Of her ar
rests was read by Mr.. Steventon. and Mag
gle said she did not know whether it was
correct or not. Mr.. Steventon said he
would admit that the list not complete.
because the witness had been arrested at
least twenty-five other times, but he had
not had the opportunity to ascertain the
dates.
Questioned by Mr. Sinclair, the Mclean
woman said that when Steventon entered
the restaurant he began a conversation
with her In very friendly manner. He
talked so much, she declared. that she els
remembered most Of what he did say
Edward j. Whalen. who gave his occupa-
said he resided on Pennsylvania avenue be-
tween I'd and AZ streets northwest, testified
that when he entered the restaurant. the
evening above mentioned, he found Officer
Steventon there. Without any provocation
the officer cursed him in terrible manner
and also threatened to "vag" him.
Cross-examined by Mr. Steventon, Whalen
admitted having been sent to the work
mouse for six months. He further admitted
having been arrested for perjury. and
charged with petit larceny, but asserted he
was innocent in every instance.
In reply to questions by Mr.. Sinclair,
Whalen said that Officer Steventon acted so
strangely as to give him the impression that
the policeman was crazy. Steventon even
went SO far as to threaten to beat the wit
ness with his billy. He then went out, he
said, and got Mr.. Kelly to come back to
the restaurant so that If the witness
should be killed by Steventon there would
be testimony regarding the occurrence.
John F. Kelly, jr., special police officer,
son of Lieut.. Kelly of the sixth precinct
said he went into the restaurant referred
to at the request of Whalen. He remained
there five minutes, but did not hear any
words spoken either by SteVenton or Whal-
Officer Steventon, who acted as his own
counsel. asked that the case be thrown out
of court. He could prove, he said, by cred
ible witnesses that Maggie Mclean or
OBrten and Whalen were not worthy of
belief; also that he had perfect right to
be In the restaurant at the time stated.
Mr.. Sinclair reviewed the testimony at
some length, stating that he did not be-
lieve either O'Rren or Whalen, and dis
missed the charges against Mr.. Steventon.
Major Sylvester received the record Of
the case and promptly dismissed the charge
against the officer. The major found that
there was no justification for the allega-
ton.