Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-11
IN THE POLICE COURT.
Policemen Criticised By Attorney
 Lawlor in Court To-Day.

Attorney James Lawlor caused a small sensation in the police court this morning by denouncing certain methods of members of the police de- partment. The methods to which he referred was the practice of officers in taking the stand and stating that such a prisoner had admitted his guilt to them. Attorney Lawlor said in part: "This practice of officers testifying that the prisoner told them that he was guilty is becoming mo- notOnous in this town. 1t seems from the evidence of the officers that in nearly every criminal case lately the officers have secured admissions of guilt from the prisoners. These al- legged admissions have become so frequent that they should be viewed with suspicion. They should be giv- en little weight These remarks were called forth by the fact that Detective Kennaugh had testified in the case of Joseph Loiseau, charged with stealing harness, that Lois seau admitted to him yesterday that he stole the harness. A few minutes before Loisseau had testified that he did not take the harness and knew nothing about 1t.
 William Santana, who lives at 281 South Leonard street in the same house with Loisseau, stated that a harness was stolen from his barn on June 26. Michael Derouin of Dub lin street testified that he bought the harness in question from Joe Loiseau for $4. Detective Kennaugh's testi- mony was to the effect that the ac- cused admitted his guilt to himself and Detective Keegan. Loiseau took the stand and denied any knowledge of the harness. He was sentenced to 15 days in Jail and fined ST and costs.
 F. J. Donahue was charged with violating a city ordinance in reshin- gling a frame building less than ten feet from another frame structure. The house which 1t was claimed that Mir Donahue had reshingled is locat- ed at 791 East Main street. A. l. Chatf1eld, the building inspector, tes- tified that about year ago MT Don ahue asked permission to reshingle the house and was refused but he was given verbal permission to re- pair certain spots through which the aTin leaked through into the tene- ments. Since then he has reshingled nearly the entire roof. It is not patching but new work. One part of the building is feet and the other part 9 feet from the adjoining house. Deputy Building Inspector F. B.. Smiths testimony was practically of the same nature. MT Donahue testi- fled that only few shingles had been laid during the past week, that he has been engaged in repairing the roof since he received permission to do so year ago. His legs trouble him and he can't do much work at times Patrick Cosgrove, a carpen- ter, and F. J. Wood, the coal dealer, testified that the roof had been patch ed In different places. Sentence was suspended. Attorney James Lawlor conducted Donahue's case
 Michael Lane, who was placed in charge of the probation officer only a few days ago, was again before the court having been arrested by Officer Mullings for drunkenness. Though he made a good plea for another chance he was sentenced to 30 days in jail and when he gets out he will have 30 days to pay the fine imposed 1 for his offense about week ago.
 John McGowan was lying stiff on the sidewalk on South Main street near Meadow street this morning at 2:O5 o'clock, when he was aroused by Officer Mullings. He was fined $5
 and costs and placed on probation for
 30 days.
 The case of John Kelly, charged l with breach Of the peace in assault ing his wife, was continued until to morrow morning on request of the ac l cused's counsel, Attorney McGrath.