Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-07-22

would have arrested Wrenn then and
there. =,
The statement of ex-Sergeant Smith
was virtually the same as that OF the
lieutenant, except that witness ayerred
he knew the robbery was to be commit
ted several days in advance. de OBJ
tanned information to the effect that
Wrenn was to pay Browns fine and that
man named Davis, also III jail at the
time, was endeavoing to raise money on
a watch in order TO pay fine assessed
against him. The ex-sergeant knew the
history of both men, and was satisfied
lbey desired to regain their liberty in
order to commit other offenses. Brown
had an especially bad record, and the
fact that Wrenn was about to pay his
fine caused the ex-sergant to grow sus.
picious. When asked what he would
have done had Wrenn made the COMES
sion to him he did to Officer Lyles, Mr..
Smith said he would have arrested him
and asked him to produce the goods.
Mayor Simpson-"Sergeant, is it not
often necessary for officers to have
confidential relations with questionable
people in order to gain informationY"
The ex-Sergeant --"Yes sir.
Mr.. Graham-"You would have 70
have implicit confidence, however, in
such people before you trusted themY'
The ex.Sergeant-"Yes sir"
While the witness was on the stanq
some interchange of opinion took place
as to the conduct of Messrs. Lyles and
Arlington in refusing to impart import
ant information to their superior officer,
especially when he had proceeded to
Wrenn's premises and apprised them OF
his discovery. Mayor Simpson took the
ground that while officers were working
up a case they were not obliged to
divulge what they knew to any one, and
he quoted recent ruling of Judge Nicol
to substantiate his standpoint.
The ex-sergeant observed that he
always impaired information he received
to his superior officers.
Officer Allen, who was with the ex-
sergeant when Wrenn and Burnett were
arrested took the stand. His statement
was substantially the same as that of the
preceding witness.
Wrenn followed. His story varied
but little from that told in the Police
Court after his arrest. He acknowledged
having purchased the goods from Brown,
recited the circumstances in connection
with his arrest and had plausible an
swer for every question put to him in re-
gard to the many suspicious circum-
stances in connection with the case
against him; told how he aided Officer
Lyles by directing him where to go in
order 10 arrest Brown, and, in answer
to questions as to the location OF the
stolen goods at the time his premises
were being searched, replied that they
were in the space between the ceiling
and the roof of his house which the Of
fcers failed to explore. Wrenn also
told of buying shoes from other parties,
and suggested that officers Lyles and
Arlington remained about his place
most of the day after his confession in
order to arrest certain individuals from
whom he (Wrenn) had bought goods
Mr.. Lyles had told him to keep ''mum"
in regard to his confession. The wit
ness was asked how he accounted for the
fact that there were goods in the wagon
on the night of the arrest that were not
embraced among those stolen from
hington-Southern cars. His answer
to this query was unsatisfactory. He
denied positively the inainuation made
in the Corporation Court to the effect
that Officers Lyles and Arlington had
drank beer in his house, but declared
that the ex-sergeant and Officer Allen
had. and that recently the former had
been in Washington in company with
witness aud Burnett and that the ex-
sergeant had become so drunk that he
and Burnett had to place him aboard
of a train.
The two officers had their attention
called to these charges. They arose and
fatty denied the allegations, and later
Burnett was called. He said he never
saw the, ex-sergeant nor Officer Allen
drink. and that Wrenn had uttered
falsehood.
Mayor Simpson declared that Wrenn
had talked wildly and in an unreliable
manner, and called attention to the fact
that witness had not specified the day on
which he, Burnett and Smith were in
Washington.
Wrenn said that while in Jail attempts
had been made by officers to get him to
talk, but their efforts had been unayail'
ing.
: Burnett was the next witness. Hs
said he knew very little about the case
: His statement was brief and added moth
ing to what was already known.
Mr.. Lyles was recalled. He acknow-
T lodged that he gave no information t.
G the lieutenant, but that be was following
I precedents. He had confidencein Wrenn
L as the latter on one occasion had aided
in locating a horse thief.
: Mayor Simpson said he thought Mr.
Lyles had shown celebrity in his move
: ments. A few hours after he started oil
!, the case the stolen goods had been located
and the thief Brown arrested. Th'
e conduct of both officers had wrough
u no harm to any interest.
d Mr.. Graham said he had solved thu
e "ffteen puzzle" and other enigmas, bu
d the Alexandria police force was gordial
l. knot he could not understand.
ID Mr.. Lawler-"Theo officers should hav'
y arrested Wrenn."