The times., 1899-12-02

Sergeant Samuel A McNeely. Of The
Sixth precinct, who was recently suspend
ed from duty because Of an alleged accep-
Jance Of a bri5e from William Lee. a colored
billiard and pooIroom proprietor, was yes
terday given hearing before Trial O.Iicer
Pugh, Of the Police Department. to answer
charges preferred by Lieutenant Iaspe tor
Pearson and Acting Sergeant Duvall
McNeeIy entered a plea Of not guilty It
is understood that he viii present a sTong
defence and make certain disclosures which
VIII tend TO show that he was actUated TO
take the step he did because Of what is
termed his efforts TO prosecute suspected
YiOlaioTs of the law
During the trial proceedings a reference
was made to an alleged furnishing Of funds
by Lee 10 2 detective at headquarters for
the purpose Of immunity from prosecution,
but as the allegation was made by McNeely
10 Lee. il is said, and not c0rroborated by
Lee, no definite action has as yet been de-
cided on. II is said, however, that eXpla-
nations VIII be asked for in reference to
the matter. Because Of the illness of At
toTney Smith the examination OF witnesses
for the Government was not concluded.
Judge Pugh granted a postponement until
tomorrow in Difference to the request Of
Mr. Smith.
The charge against Sergeant McNeely is
that on the afternoon Of November p he
conducted himself IN a harsh and very dis
respectful manner to a superior officer;
that he refused 10 give TO Lieutenant IN
spector Pearson an envelope he had In his
possession when requested to 90 so: that
he threatened the inspector with bodily
harm if he attempted TO take the envelope
from him; that he ran away when the in
spectOr attempted 10 place him under ar
rest.
II is also charged that he made false
statements 10 Police Captain Austin when
questioned al headquarters about the en-
velope Lee is said TO have given him. which
contained two marked s. bills. The adGi-
tional charge Of entering into an arrange
ment 10 protect William II. Lee. not alone
IN a case now pending before the court, but
10 aid him further in the future, is made.
The first witness examined was Lieuten-
AMI Inspector Pearson, who testified that
he was detailed by Major Sylvester to go
10 Eleventh and East Capitol Streets on
November = 10 witness a meeting between
Sergeant McNeely and William Lee. color
ed. The inspector was told that an en-
velOpo CT package would be handed 10 Nc
Neely by Lee Witness saw the envelope
change hands. Later the witness accosted
Sergeant McNeely. who was much ex-
cited Witness demanded the envelope he
had seen change hands, whereupon Ser
geaut McNeely denied receiving the en-
TelCpe Lee then walked away. Witness
heard no conversation between McNeely
and Lee. but saw from . distance that
conversation was going on. When In
spector Pearson asked Sergeant McNeely
for the envelope the latter threatened to
shoot and then ran away. On cross eX-
animation witness stated that he had
known Sergeant McNeely for about eleven
years and had always found him faithful
and efficient as an officer.
Acting Sergeant Duyall, who witnessed
the meeting between Sergeant McNeely
and Lee. was sworn He said he was in
company with Inspector Pearson, and was
peeping around a corner. The inspector
said, Now he Is handing Mac the en-
velope: let US 90 up TO him" McNeely
was approached and asked for the envelope,
but denied having it, Later he put mis-
hand on his pistol pocket and said. DO
not molest me here" When searched
Sergeant Mc,Neely had in his possession
S79 among which were two marked s.
bills" Witness said he had known Ser
geant McNeely for nine years, and in that
time had always found him thoroughly
honest. Witness did not at any time hear
Sergeant McNeely say: I viii shoot" OF
make any threat TO shoot.
The next witness, Detective z. L. Phillips,
was present at headquarters when Acting
Sergeant Duvall served z warrant Of arrest
on Sergeant McNeely. He also saw Nc
Neely searched, and saw two marked s.
bills taken from the prisoner Witness
heard McNeely say: Il supposed the en-
veIope ] received contained a list Of names
-rr Tr
what I say" Witness said McNeely gave
up the SO willingly, and asked II his watch
and chain were wanted.
CAPTAIN Of Police Austin testified 10 tell
Ing McNeely that be could make q state
ment The statement was reported stem
ographicaliy by Chief Clerk J. a. Kemp
The detective said he had known Sergeant
McNeely for eleven years as q policeman,
and regarded him as an active man in the
discharge Of his duty.
The principal witness, William Lee, was
next called. He testified 20 meeting Ser
gesut AIcNeely and being told by him that
be would protect him lLee) for $3.50. Lee
said that McNeely told him to meet him at
Eleventh and East Capitol Streets, at 3
o'clock on the afternoon Of the 9th Wit
ness kept the engagement after reporting
the contemplated meeting 10 Major SylTes-
Ser. Lee said that Major Sylvester told
him 10 keep the engagement. but instead
q putting $50 liz The envelope, 10 place only
two s bills there He was also told by
Major Sylvester that he would detail
sfaceTs 10 witness the meeting and all that
trauspired between witness and Sergeant
NcNeely.
Witness did as directed. Lee said that he
also heard McNeely say Don't touch ne, %
but did not hear him say 'I'H shoot" Wit
ness saw g newspaper reporter and his
wife present at the meeting.
On cross examination, witness said Ser
Reant McNeely told him that q certain de-
tectlve had been given $IOo. but that he
(McNeeiy) wanted more. as be was no
cheap man. Witness was also told that be
would be guaranteed protection if be gave
up $50
At the conclusion OF Lees testimony, At
toruey Smith asked for an adjournment.
Trial Officer Pugh acquiesced and set the
time Tor the continuance at Il o'clock this
morning.
Sergeant McNeely viii be arraigned iu
the Police Court. earlier IN the morning to
answer 10 q charge OF violating section
bsS4 Of the Revised Statutes. In that he ac-
cepted a bribe.
Beers q proper age should take precedence
Helrleis beers are al ever SIX months old before