New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-17

DETECTIVE SHOOTS a MAN.
VICTIM WHO HAD BROUGHT ON
STRUGGLE BY SEEING BADGE,
WILL -SELF-DEFENCE,
SAYS OFFICER.

James McMullin. twenty-nine years old, was
shot and fatally wounded by Timothy Desmond
a detective attached to the Fifth-ave. police
station, Brooklyn. in the house of McMullin's $
brother-in-law, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Martin Flanagan. Benson-ave. and Bay Seven
teenth-st.. Brooklyn. yesterday at 1 a. m.
1t is said that Desmond had been drinking
some in celebration of the return of Captain
Lawson to the command of the Ftfth-ave. pre-
cinct. When he reached his home, at No. 63
Bay Seventeenth-st., he saw a man sitting on
the stoop of the house across the street.
IT is owned by Mr.. Flanagan. who. when he
moved uptown for the winter. asked Desmond to
keep his eye on It," The detective says he did
not know that Mr.. Flanagan had asked his
brother-in-law to occupy the house for the win
ter. McMuin had moved in only a few days
before with his wife and two small children. Ac-
cording to Desmond's story, McMullin had been
drinking; at any rate, he was sitting on the
porch, and 1t was cold night.
Desmond walked to him and asked him
what he was doing there
IT'S none of your business" replied McMuIlin.
WHAT do you want. anyway"
Well I'm a detective and here's my badge"
responded Desmond he pulled back his coat.
II want that badge" said McMullin, and he
reached over and tore it from the detectives
coat. He put the badge in his pocket. and the
detective drew his club and grappled with the
man. McMulln rushed into his house when his
wife opened the door. Desmond followed him
into the kitchen.
Give me that badge I'll blow your head
off? the detective is alleged to have said as he
took out his revolver. He then closed in on
McMuIlin who, being a light man, was soon
borne to the floor.
Mrs McMulln says that after attending to
her babies. who crying. she had just
started to come downstairs. when pistol shot
rang out She ran quickly to the kitchen. and
says she saw the detective standing the
body of McMullin with a smoking revolver in
his hand Her husband lying unconscious,
a stream of blood flowing from his left temple.
GO now; you have done your worst. You
have shot my husband!" cried the woman.
We'll, l am going to have my badge, and will
not leave the house until get it," replied Des-
mond.
Mrs McMullin drew the badge from her hus-
bands pocket and threw it at the detective.
Desmond went to the Bath Beach station and
told Captain Leary that he had shot man.
He was locked up.
Last night il was said at the Norwegian Hos
pitai that McMullin was still unconscious No
hopes are entertained for his recovery.
Desmond, who is fifty years DID, has been a
detective on the Brooklyn force for many years.
Formerly he attached to the Central Detec-
tive Bureau. When he was arraigned in the
Coney Island court yesterday he pleaded not
guilty 10 a charge OF felonious assault and was
remanded to the Raymond Street Jail without
bail.
Desmond refused to talk TO reporters, but had
a long conversation with Captain Lawson. He
told the captain that while he was struggling
with McMullin the latter called TO his wife to
get his revolver. Desmond says he believed he
shooting in seIf-defence.