The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-07-08
MURRAY DROPPED
Police Commissioners Dis
miss Him Despite Mr..
Speer's Eloquence.
ACCUSED bid NOT APPEAR
No Decision Rendered in the
Assault Case.

down stairs and get some air, to
with it.p was the expression used py
Policeman James Murray. of the Oakland
avenue station, as he left the meeting OF
the Board of Police Commissioners last
wednesday night, before whom he was
cates to appear as the defendant in the
alleged Baker assault case. Ut was uhe
uttering of this expression that caused
his dismissal from the police force al
the adjourned meeting of the Board heio
last night. and not the alleged commission
Of tie henious crime The Commissioners
refused to allow the accused policeman
more time TO prepare his defence. The
notice OF the second charge was served
to Murray at 1870 O'Clock Thursday
morning by Detective Keenan, of the Oak
land avenue station, who under oath tes-
tihed:-
Il found Murray at his home lying on
sofa. He appeared excited and nervous,
but spoke. to me and shock my hand. +"
Counsellor William Speer asked the
Board for few days more time in order
to prepare the defence. but the Board
ignored the request and ordered the hear
ing to go on Murray was not present to
hear uhe charges read. but ais name was
called BY tie clerk.
Counsellor Speer again requested that
the accused policeman be given more time
but Ne 1as sgain refused. Ccunseiior
Speer rea1lllsdes the 8oard that forty
eight hours bad not elapsed since the
summons hsd been served.
(sezzlntg ssstoaer afess4si remarked that
+ Corperarson Cctisissi Blair had decided in
a preyso.ss case that tweuty-rour hours
was ample s;aia Tor such a notice to be
se9ved Il lis aecilsed officer fails to ap-
pear j chs end 81 shat .llne then it is
left fer the Commissioners to dispose of
the case as tileg see 81.
srhe supreme Court" remarked Coun-
sSesior Speaz. in recent case decided
tnas Fwsaty -four hours was not enough.
ask sor an extension Of time. It seems
% $50 aat 4 can 10 TO harm TO the
Eoaad ard il san be done. I now put my
request j mofson.'
I4ss sssara IS not going 10 sit here to
G opssls isl.saHsd by amy pc.iee officer
scEltinIes President McGill. III we con-
scut ta that The department would lose
ali discipline. You said before that you
tlid not know tne nature of the charge
aided President AirGlil, addressing his
conversation 10 Counselor Speer, and in
tilnating that the counselor did not know
what ne was talking about.
Counselor Speer took UP the remark
and said:--
g. appear here tonight as the counsel
for Policeman Murray, Ind I don't think
] am obliged to stand here and be in
suited. l am a reputable lawyer, and 1
expect better treatment / do not want to
get into any discord with the Commits
sioners. however, but 1 insist that one
Ta4rse fe 1cyl, how r1n4
had time enough 10 prepare our defense
We have policemen in this department
who are willing to swear as to the express
sion used by Murray as he left the room
at the last meeting. I am in earnest
about this request and I want time to
prepare the case Murray's condition is
such as will not permit his presence be-
fore the Board tonight
President McGill ignored the counselor's
request and called Inspector Archibald to
the stand, who testified that all he heard
Murray say was. II am going down
stairs; 20 h. with it,
Counselor Speer asked the Inspector II
he was sure Murray said 'it," and not
"them.'
The Inspector answered in the aflrma-
tive
President AlcGlll said the fact that vile
language was used by Murray was
breach of the rules of the department
"He appeared sick when he made the
remark, did he not asked Counselor
speer, of Inspector Archibald.
Yes
Sergeant Cummings of the Oakland av-
enue station testified that Murray used
the word "it7 in his expression and not
the word sttf1enl.',