Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-07-22
POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
Cases Against Officers Postponed to a
Future Meeting.

charges preferred by VIM. II. Trayers
against Lieutenant Smith and examina-
ton Of certain structures made by Com
monwealth's Attorney Brent and Attor-
ney Moncure during the trial of Henry
Wrenn in the Corporation Court for
purchasing goods knowing them to have
been stolen.
The case of Lieutenant Smith was
postponed until future time, as mate
rial witnesses were absent from the city.
The imputations against Officers Lyles
and Arlington were then investigated.
Officer Arlington is confined to his home,
but Officer Lyles was present.
There was some discussion as to the
propriety of proceeding with the case
when the board was called to order from
! the fact that at that time but two wit
nesses we're present-Mr. Brent and
Wrenn.
Mayor Simpson desired to proceed
with the investigation.
Mr.. Fisher objected, as material wit
nesses were absent, as well as Officer
Arlington, against whom, with Officer
Lvles, charges of dereliction of duty had
been made.
Mr.. Graham asked if it would be the
proper course to proceed under such cir
cumstances.
Mayor Simpson said itvould, as there
we're no charges against the officers; it
was simply criticism of their conduct
which had been made in the Police Court
and the Corporation Court
llr. Fisher urged postponement un-
til all the parties to the case were pres
ent, and Mr.. Lawler agreed with him.
Mr.. Hill, in reply to the Mayors OBJ
servations, said the investigation con-
cerned the official action OF certain Of
fcers on a certain occasion.
Mayor Simpson said we're the officers
to be tried on charges it would be neces-
sary to send the accused written notifica-
tons and day be fixed for the hearing
in order that the parties interested could
have an opportunity to procure counsel.
The witnesses, however, finally APP
peared and, on motion of Mr.. Hill, the
case was proceeded with.
Mr.. Brent was first called and asked
upon what ground he based certain criti-
cisms of Messrs. Lyles and AIRING
ton in connection with the case of Henry
Wrenn, recently tried in the Corpora
ton Court for purchasing goods of Henry
Brown, colored, knowing them to have
been stolen. Witness replied that be
made the structures upon the confession
of these officers as well as the testimony
of Lieutenant Smith. Mr.. Lyles, after
Wrenn had told him he had the stolen
goods in his possession, directed the lat
ted to say nothing about the matter anc
; had permitted Wrenn to go at large.
Mayor Simpson propounded many
questions to Mr. Brent, among then
! some in regard to the first disposition Of
the case against Wrenn and Burnett, wht
were found in possession of the stoler
goods, and called attention 10 their liberia
ton on their personal bond, their re-
arrest and other matter i'll connection
with the investigation of the case in thu
Police Court. The Mayor also formulated
hypothetical cases, went over the circum
stances in connection with the arrest oil
the two men and the acceptance by thu
| iury in the Corporation Court of Burnetti
statement to the effect that he and Wrenr
were on their way to the station house
with the stolen goods when Intercepted
and arrested by Officers Smith and Allen
He observed that the jury acquitted Bur
! ,o,t lint convicted Wrenn
Mr.. Brent said Wreun assumed re
sponsibility in the matter, acrnOw ledget
he purchased the good. from Brown
Witness, however, never believed tina
the two men were on their way to Tho
station house with the goods when ar
rested.
The Mayorpropounded other questions
. to Mr.. Brent and asked his opinion of Ger
tain procedures in connection with thu
trial of the two men. especially the actor
. of the Jury who in regard to Burnett nc
cepted the statement that the men wer
i on their way to the station house wit
the goods and acquitted Burnett, but Of
the same avowal in connection wit
= Wrenn convicted him of larceny.
y Mr.. Brent--''You had better ask tn
jury"
Mr. Hill-"Have we met to hear fact
! or personal opinions in connection wit
= the charges against the oflicers?"
~ The Mayor suggested that in an IN
=, vestigatiOn OF the criticisms of the officer
- made in the Corporation Court any ques
u tons could be propounded.
- Mr.. Brent finally lett the stand an
" Mr.. Mencure was called. The latt'
;, acknowledged having avowed in IL
y court that iactional fights were mantle
- among members of the police force, b
: he had used the words as synonyms OF
!, spirit of rivalry. He had made the a
= serton as the basis of the evidence
i' the case while engaged in defendin
,, Wrenn and Burnett. He suggested
- however, that counsel for the State Al
:! prisoners in such cases often went to II
81 extreme limit in their ardor tc preset
Gu cases before juries. Mr. Moncure sa
~ certain officers had been assigned to Il
w duty of recovering the stolen goods al
" that Lieutenant Smith had obtained !
side information and had broken in
- the policemen assigned to the case
Chief Webster. This had caused Il
~ rivalry. He, however, believed all u
no officers who took the stand in the %
!! poration Court were conscientious.
" answer to questions by the Mayor, N