The Savannah morning news., 1903-10-26
IS HOLDING HIS OWN
CONDITION OF OFFICER COLLINS
REMAINS UNCHANGED.
IN PATROLMAN'S BEHALF
ATTORNEYS WHO SUGGESTED
QUESTIONS MAKE A STATEMENT.

TvvisEs a oliver, Representing the
Onicer on Trial, Suggested the
Questions That Collins Was to
Put to Greene at the InVestigR-
tion-For This Reason Mr.. Oliver
Thought Ii Proper to Make IA Pub
lie ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS That 1t
Was important to show Why
Greene Was in NciEhbOrhOOd.
There has been no change in the con-
diton of Patrolman c. A. Collins, who
was shot by Henry G. Greene in the
Mayors office Friday afternoon.
As each day passes without a change
for the worse the chances for the Off
GERS recovery grow stronger. The at
tending physicians and the friends OF
the wounded patrolman are very much
encouraged at his condition.
For the reason that Collins has not
been able to make any statement since
the shooting, and because his attor-
neys, Twiggs 81 oliver had suggested
the questions that he was to ask
Greene during the examination before
Mayor Myers, Mr.. Oliver has made
statement to show why the patrolman
asked the question that preceded the
shooting. The statement made by Mr..
Oliver is as follows
Mr.. divers Statement.
In consequence of a misrepresentation
on the part of some of our best citi-
gems with reference to the motive
which actuated Policeman Collins in
propoundng the questions which pre-
ceded the unfortunate tragedy in the
Mayors Office, and in view of the fact
that his condition precludes the pos
sibility of his making a statement
in his own defense, we feel that
sense of professional duty to him as
our client demands from us state
ment of his contention, so that the
public may form a just estimate of
his position.
The questions propounded were
advised by us, and they were, in our
view, necessary and pertinent. In ask
ing them Mr.. Collins acted strictly
under legal adviceJ The contentious Of
Greene and Collins were as follows:
The former insisted that he had not
loitered around the home of Mrs. Col
lins-the lady whose husband was out
of the city that on the contrary he
friends who were visitors in the Ten
derlon. He contended that his mis-
sion was lawful and that he was ar
rested without the slightest cause, and
while he was casually and temporarily
on the street. Policeman Collins on the
contrary stood prepared to show by
Mrs. Collins that Mr.. Greene had been
lettering about her house for about
four hours, from 10 o'clock until ,,
the time of his arrest. He was also
prepared to prove by another RESPONSE
BILE person that Mr.. Greene was in the
neighborhood for hours before the ar
rest. AS motive is the handspring in
human conduct he sought to show the
motive which could account for Mr.
Greene's conduct and which, when
proven, would, in connection with the
testimony of Mrs. Collins and the
other witness, dlsprove conclusively
the contention of Mr.. Greene. This mo-
tive Mr.. Collins was attempting to
bring out, by the question he had just
propounded, when he was shot. At
that very moment his witnesses were
waiting in an adjoining room to dis
prove Mr.. Greene's contention.
Under Orders of Superior.
Policeman Collins further claim is
that he was ordered by his superior
officer to arrest d person who. it had
been teleDhoned to the barracks, had
been proving for hours in a suspicious
manner about the house of a worthy
and respectable lady. The telephone
message further stated that her hus-
band was out of the city, and that she
was frightened by the conduct of this
unknown person. This lady descr bed
the person to Collins. pointed out the
person and when arrested, this person
proved to be man whose name. when
later ascertained, was Greene. At the
time of the arrest the mans name and
the mans identity were unknown, both
to the lady calling for protection and
to the officer making the arrest. lust
before the arrest the man had been
taken before the lady. ana when con-
fronted by her. neither his name nor an
explanation of his conduct We're given.
Then ii was, and for these reasons he
started with Greene to the barracks
He further claims that while on the
way with Greene to the sergeant's Of
nee, where Greene would be accorded
the privilege of making an expiana-
ton to the sergeant, Greene INDUCED in
violent abuse. cursed him in the vilest
words and then violently assaulted him.
He was incarcerated not only because
OF the suspicious circumstances which
made the arrest necessary, but also be-
cause of the violent curses and abuse
and the unprovoked assault upon an
officer while in the discharge of his
duty. 1t win. therefore, be seen that
IT is Mr.. Collins contention that even
II in the original arrest Mr.. Greene
had been the victim of a mistake, his
subsequent conduct while under arrest
authorized his being locked up. When
this was done Mr.. Collins reported to
the sergeant, and his duty ended. He
relies upon the rules and regulations of
the police department for his juztiica-
ton. He contends that those regula-
tions not only authorized all he did but
required it.
1t should also be understood by the
public that the lady who called upon
the police for protection is in no way
related to Policeman Collins.