The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-08-24
POLICEMEN TRIED.
Commissioners are Deter
mined That Discipline
Shall Be Main
tanned.
MULCOx IS INDICATED
Heavy Penalties Upon Delln-
quent Members Of the
Force.

sioners held last night in the First Grim
inal rolrt room was the trial of several
officers against whom charges had been
preferred.
Policeman Thomas J. Dooley, whose
case of assault and battery on Insurance
Agent Murphy. a few weeks ago, winch
caused SO much excitement during phe
current week, was a~rraigned before the
Board. The testimony given was practi-
callv the same as was given before Police
Justice Potts in the First Criminal Court
last Tuesday morning. The same VIII
nesses testified in the case for the state
Dooley had no witnesses. Those summon
ed by Inspector Archibald were Mrs.
Alexander, Mrs. Sullivan, Mrs. Walsh,
Mrs. Pray and Mrs. Breslin. Roundsman
Engle of the Seventh street station house
also testified against Dooley.
Chief of Police Murphy. who was not
present at the hearing before Justice
potts. testified as follows:-"On the day
Mr.. Murphy made his complaint to me
I mmo Dooley to my office. I told
him a serious charge had been made
against him, but the complainant fMur-
phy) failed to identify him Dooley) as
the man who committed the assault
The Chief also te~staied:-.I offered to
send for the people residing in the house
when Dooley interrupted me and con-
fessed that ne was the man who had
committed the assault. Murphy had two
Jumps on the back Of his head which were
not inflicted by q INST blow. Dooley told
me he did not nit Murphy with a club,
so I came 20 the conclusion that those in
5uries had been inflicted by some one else.
Policeman Dcoley told me the same story
as he told in court when arraignedsfor
trial.
.fWhy did you not arrest this man when
he assaulted your, remarked President
MeGill, addressing the accused officer.
Il was not dressed and was on my va
cation, and 1 thought Murphy had got
enough answered Dooley.
Counsellor Manning, who was one of
Dooley's lawyers, commended that as Do
ley was on his vacation at the time the
assault was committed that the Board
had no jurisdiction in the case nor
happened in his own house. When an
officer IS off on leave, or home sick, he
is not considered as on duty" concluded
Mr.. Manning.
in vacation times men are only ex-
cused from regular duty, not from their
full obligation said Chief Murphy.
Lawyer Manning then asked the Board
ITO take cognizance of the fact that the
rase against Dooley had been disposed Of
IN the criminal courts and the charges
against him dismissed.
Surely" continued Mr.. Manning, you
would not again place Dooley in jeopardy,
contrary to law"
President McGin informed Mr.. Man
ming that Dooley was not being tried on
charges of assault and battery, but only
"conduct unbecoming an officer" Mr..
Manning made an earnest appeal for
Dooley's acquittal. Dooley was. however.
found guilty and was sentenced TO a fine
of fifteen days pay. In sentencing Dooley
President MeGill said in part:-'tThere is
a great difference physically between
Dooley and Murphy, and if the latter had
violated the law Dooley should nave ar
rested him.
Policeman Michael Gaynor, of the
Gregory street station, was arrafgned on
two charges. the first with being absent
rorty-eight hours without leave, and the
second with having assaulted Maggie Gil
len, OF No. 173 West street. New York, in
Flcke's saloon. at No. Is Montgomery
street The latter charge was dismissed.
Inc Gillen woman, who was denounced
ny Chief Murphy as being of bad char
aeter, did not appear. Policeman Gaynor
pieaded guilty to the first charge, but did
NOT ofTer any explanation. In sentencing
FoEceman Gaynor to pay a fine of fifteen
Gays pay. on-the first charge. President
McGill said
you have been a good officer. You
have a fair record. These facts have
been taken into consideration. The Board
insists on having discipline in the depart
ment You had no right to absent your
sell without leave. or without being able
70 give a good excuse for your action.
The penalty in your case is inflicted to
impress these facts upon your mind
Policeman Charles Reinecke. of the
Gregory street station, was charged with
being off post from 11:20 O'Clock to 1t.55
O'Clock on the night of August 8. Relnecke
pleaded guilty and offered sickness as an
excuse. His statement was corroborated
by Roundsman higgins and John Murray.
Waterman at the City Hall. The charges
against Reinecke were dismissed.
Policeman George Won Vechten. of the
Gregory street station. was charged with
being twenty-five minutes late in answer
ing roll call. He pleaded guilty and was
sentenced to pay a fine of five days nav.
President McGill told Van vechten that
II was becoming quite fashionable for
him to come before the Board on minor
charges. and that sort of business must
stop.
Policeman Frank Monohan, of the
Seventh street station, was tried on two
charges. INSTRUMENTATION and neglect of
duty. Monohan failed to report vacant
houses on his post after Captain Kelly
had ordered him to do so. When sergeant
0'Brien called Monohan to account, he
said Monohan used abusive language to
him. Monohan found fault with Sergeant
O'Brien for taking him out of bed to
answer such a trivial charge" h
charge of neglect of duty was laid over
until the next meeting, as Captain Kelly,
is out Of town on his vacation. Monohan
pleaded not guilty of INSTRUMENTATION,
but admitted having spoken to the Ser
geant as he had testified. Monohan said
he had a right to express his mind and
he intended to exercise that right.
Sergeant O'Brien remarked, during the
hearing. that Monohan had committed a
similar offense about two years ago.
Monohan excitedly exclaimed. addressing
Sergeant OsBrien. you're trying to preju-
dice this case by bringing up happenings
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