The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-23
D00NAN
MAKES A
DENIAL
Declares He Did Not Obstruet
Deputy Sheriff Co|Vln During
Street Railway Strike.

Peter Doonan, indicted for obstructmg
an officer at Pawtucket during the car
strike. was put on trial before a jury IN
Judge Wnbur's court today Doonan was
defended by John J. Fitzgerald and
James H. Higgins.
Deputy Sheriff Colvin claims that on
June 7th. while about his duties in main
tanning order under the supervision OF
High Sheriff Hunter c. White. he was
given a warrant to serve on one Connor.
who was charged with obstructing a car
track.
About p m. on that day Colvin says
he served the warrant and Immediately
Doonan jumped on him and pushed, MIN
calling on the crowd to close in. Two
special deputies named McCue and Cor
man prevented the crowds interfering
and Doonan was taken to the police sta
ton.
Colvin was certain there was no police
man about at the time
on cross examination Mr. Colvtn said
ne was sure he had a warrant on his
person. and that the warrant was not at
the police station when Connor was ar
rested.
The alleged, obstructing took place on
Deputy Sheriff Winslow, who was with
Colvin at the time OF the arrest, said
that during the eight days he was in
Pawtucket he never saw a policeman do
anything.
Special Deputies McCue and German
corroborated Deputy Colvin's statements.
German said he saw Doonan shake his
fist at Colvin and throw his arms around
Connor.
James III. Higgins In his opening state
ment for the defendant said large
number OF witnesses would prove that
Doonan did not obstruct Mr.. Colvtn. AS
10 the plea OF guilty entered In the dis
uict court at Pawtucket Mr.. Higgins
said Doonan first pleaded not guilty, but
on representations made by the police
that there would be no further trouble IL
he pleaded guilty he did so.
John -GenHeF testified he had lived In
Pawtucket u years. He was unloading
beer on Main street when arrested. Con-
nor claimed he was arrested by Deputy
Sheriff Johnson and when he, witness,
asked Johnson IL he had warrant he re-
piled yes at the police station According
TO witness Doonan never was nearer than
four feet OF deputy until he was ar
rested.
Doonan did nothing save say. Where
are you going. Jack?" then according TO
witness Deputy Sheriff Johnson said,
did not touch the officer.
This witness gave the court and his
own counsel much trouble. He wished to
argue the case with counsel. prosecutor
and court he went along.
Judge Wilbur finally became so dis
pleased at the mans actions that he sug-
gested to Mr.. Fitzgerald that he De WITH
drawn.
Mr.. Fitzgerald said he would not have
introduced the witness. had. he known
he would act in an Objectionable manner
The court assured Mr.. Fitzgerald IT was
aware OF that.
was unused to courts. and was probably
excited because there was a case pend
ing against himself. Mr.. Fitzgerald then
gave the witness some terse instructions
Connor did better for while, but the
attorney general cut short his cross-ex-
animation at the suggestion or the court.
Connor was sure officer Flynn was on
hand when the trouble occurred.
Doonan the defendant, testified he had
resided I'm Pawtucket some l3 years. and
that on the afternoon OF June Z, as he
he saw the sheriff taking connor away;
and said. Where are you going, jack
When he said this Deputies McCue and
he did not push or strike Colvin, and said
he did not ask the crowd 70 join in the
resistance 10 the arrest OF Connor.
Witness said he saw Onlcer Flynn go
with the whole crowd TO the police sta
ton. Witness declared that after plead
ing not guilty 10 the charge. OF oostruct-
ing an officer he was told by Detecuye
would get off light" Another thing that
induced him TO change his plea, was his
Doonan admitted on cross-exainination
that he had pleaded nolo, and been SEN
fenced on charge OF obtaining money
been been accused Of horse stealing. He in.
sisted upon denying the commission or
the offence he was on trial for.