Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-04
Man Who Yesterday Shot
Two Department Employees
MAKES A STATEMENT
DECLINES TO SAY WHERE HE
PROCURED REVOLVER.
Discussion of Custom Of Paroling Pris-
oners From Hospital for Insane
Superintendent's Views.


There was nothing in the demaanor of
William j. O'Brien alias William Duffy,
when he appeared in the Police Court this
morning to indicate to the casual observer
that he was insane. He entered the conrt
and appeared before Judge Scott the same
as does any other person charged with d
serious offense. and was an attentive lis
tener when his case was called. A warrant
alleging that he had attempted to take the
life of Robert ]. Naming, an employe Of
the War Department, yesterday, was filed
against him by the police. Assistant DIS
trict Attorney Given called the case to the
attention of Judge Scott and said he
thought it unnecessary to arraign the prs
oner. this morning. or even ask him for
plea. Manning, the prosecutor stated. Is
seriously wounded and may die On ac-
count of his serious condition and for the
further reason that the prisoner IS
parole patient from the Government Hospi-
tai for the Insane the prosecutor suggested
that he be committed to Jail without bond.
The Jail physician, he stated, should be ad-
vised of the prisoners condition, and he
may communicate with the asylum autholi-
ties and reach conclusion about the treat
ment that is necessary.
The Motion Granted.
Judge Scott granted the motion and gave
the necessary order to the clerk that he
commit O'Brien to Jail without bond. AZ
ter he reaches the prison, Judge Scott said.
he can be examined as to his sanity and
the proper steps can then be taken in
regard to the proper place to detain him
and the treatment he should receive. The
prisoner watched the judge and rrOsecut-
ing attorney while they discussed his case,
but made no effort to address The court.
When the case was finished, SO far the
court proceedings were concerned, OBrien
was escorted back to the cell room and
given apartment in which no other pTis
oners were detained.
The officers at the third precinct station
had kept close watch over him last night
for fear he might attempt to injure him.
self. and Sergt. Lombardy, who was in
charge of the court cells, remained in The
corridor until he was removed to the court
room. Later in the day O'Brien was con-
veyed to the District jail Should the
prison physicians find that his mind is
affected at this time they will recommend
that he be transferred to the asylum, where
he was under treatment prior to yesterday
morning, when he was released on parole.
o'Brien's Statement.
Before being taken from the court to the
Jail the prisoner stated to Star reporter
that he was born in Ireland and that he
had served ten years in the United States
service prior to the time he was sent to the
asylum in 1893. Part of this time he spent
at the arsenal in this city. He said 1T was
not a question of money that agitated him.
but 1t was question of getting his final
and honorable discharge papers. He said
he was not insane or sick in any way when
he was taken TO the asylum, and that there
was no reason for sending him there. He
was asked If he had ever had any other
trouble at the War Department, and he
said he preferred not to discuss that cues
ton at this time. The prisoner also de-
clined to say anything regarding the own
ership of the revolver or as to when or
where he had obtained it.
In conclusion, he said he would not dis
cuss the facts in the case until he reached
the highest court in which it would be
heard. on other topics he was willing to
converse with friends or callers. He said
he was glad he was to be sent to Jail al
though his treatment at the asylum had
always been of the best and he had no
complaint TO make against the institution.
Department Officials Surprised.
When the War Department officials had
recovered from the shock yesterday and
learned something of the prisoners ante
cedents, they expressed surprise that the
superintendent of st. Eizabeths should have
permitted O'Brien to leave the institution
on parole. There has been trouble with
him, they said. as far back as 1897 He
was pdiolcu dt the CIne and paid several
visits to the department. He became so
abusive and his manner was so threatening
at that time that he was the subject of an
ofhcial communication from the War De-
partment TO the then superintendent of the
asylum The superintendent was informed
That OBrien was a dangerous character
and was advised that he should be con-
fined. ~
the question of the manner In which ma
uents at the asylum are paroIed 1t is
s.h.eu py people VINO are in a position to
Know that all institutions for the care of
the insane have rule under which natients
are paroled but IT is only such patients as
are regarded as absolutely harmless that
are permitted to leave the institutions with
out an attendant. This was the oninion of
the officials of ST. Eiizabeth's HosnitsI Sor
'he insane In the case of O'Brien
Had Never Abused a Privilege.
Dr. White, superintendent of the ASYLUM.
told a Star reporter today that O'Brien had
been employed in the store room at the
hospital for more than four years. ana all
that time he was where he had access 10
knives and other Instruments that could
have been used as weapons. He had been
permitted to go to the city from time to
Time the doctor stated, and had never
abused the privilege. Officials and others
about the hospital had considered him as
trustworthy.
After four years OF such conduct said
the superintendent, at was reasonable to
suppose that he was to be trusted and that
ne would not attempt to harm ANYBODY
IL Is my opinion. although I have no infor-
NATION on the subject. that o Brien bad
taken drink or two before he went to the
War Department"
The doctor said that patients who go out
on parole are watched. and If they abuse
the privilege Ii Is taken from them Those
who return and show the slightest signs of
having INDUCED in liquor are searched
Win patient such as o Brien, he said il
was possible for him to have concealed a
weapon about the grounds. He repea ted
that o Brien had access to knives and other
instruments about the store room and II
was the opinion of those in charge that he
was by no means dangerous The patients
have access to the Offices the superin-
tendent stated. and the officials of the in
stitution, who are perhaps in the greatest
danger. never had anY reason 10 fear