Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-24
TO ASK FOR SPECIFIC CHARGES.
Attorneys Who Are Taking Care of -# Officer Mansfeld's Case.

NfdSE.
 Attorneys J. J. O'Neill and Guilfoile, counsel for Special Officer Mansfield in1 the charges brought against him by Benjamin Sedgwick filed to-day with City Clerk Ryan motion that the complaint against Mansfield be made more specific. The latter, they claim, are too dense and general and leave the policeman no means of preparing defense. Certain acts and conduct is charged against him between the dates January 15 and April 1 period covering almost three months and not single day or date is mentioned from hrst to last. In a judicial hearing such as this will be- Mansfeld's counsel claim the complaint is very irregular and indefinite. It demands of the officer to explain. what he did and where he was, why he was there and why he did certain things whereas this is what those who are bringing the charges against him should be made do. As peoples ideas of wrong in the conduct or policeman are likely to differ very much, 1t is the duty of the complainant Tn this matter to give day and date for what he complains against in order that there shall be no misunderstand- ing
 Judge Peasley who represents the prosecution says to do this would be considerable trouble and make yolu- n1inous papers while Messrs O,Neill ana Gullfoile say that it is absolutely necessary that every date should be mentioned on which the officer is charged with misconduct. They do not like Judge Peasley's intimation that the board of safety ''may" white wash Mansfield, for that is a round about way of saying that the board. While believing Mansfield guilty. would yet declare him not guilty. This means, then. that the hearing of the complaint against Mansfield may not take place next Tuesday evening when the board of safety will hold its regular rnid-monthly meeting.
 FoiioW1ns Is a copy of the motion:
 me said Michael Mansfield moves mat certain charges presented to your honorable board by Benjamin sedg- wick, dated April 14. 1903. be amplifaa ana De made more specific in the fol lowing particulars:
 l. That charge a. be amplifiad .o as to show what crimes were commit- tea m his presence the time and place where they were committed. and inc names or a description of the persons oy whom they were committed.
 z. That charge 1 b. be amplified co as to state the time when and the place Where the said officer had reason to suspect persons of intending to commit crimes and the names nr dascrin+;or. !. of such persons
 5. That charge c. be amplified to show the time and place where he al- lowed crowds to congregate and neg lected to disperse them.
 4. That charge 1 q. be amplified so as to specify when. where and how f1e neglected to use his best endeavors to prevent crime, preserve the peace and maintain order.
 ,. That charge ? be made more spe- cific so as to show the time and the place the said officer stopped trolley cars, the names of the motormen he abused and oppressed and threatened. a $ alleged, and in what said abuse and threats consisted.
 6. That charge be ampif1ed so as to set forth the alleged vile and abusive language and the time and place said alleged abusive language was used and the names of the person or persons in whose presence said language was IIsed. MICHAEL MANSFIELD. By O'Nei1l and Guilfoile. his attorneys.