Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-07-12
CHARGES FELL FLAT
0lfcer Stevens Exonerstsd by Board
 From Dr. Eger Charges.

After hearing of over an hour and considering the evidence for about three minutes. the board of safety yesterday afternoon declared Patrolman Joseph P. Stevens not guilty of pushing or striking Dr Frank L. Eger. dentist at 67 Bank street.
 The doctor stated that about II o'clock on the night of June l2 (cir- GUS night) he was assaulted by the officer. He was standing near the I railroad tracks at the Bank street depot with crowd of others when the officer pushed him with his hand and struck him in the chest either with his fist or open hand. He was standing with the rest of the crowd at the time and the complainant thought the officer too officious. One or two policemen whom he asked for the officers number refused to give 1t to him, so he went to the officer himself and got 1t.
 ! The doctor was questioned by the accused officer and he denied ever having trouble with any officer or that he ever called the Waterbury police force lot of mo goods" or something to that effect. He admit ted advertising for witnesses, but failed to get any. The doctor was with his assistant, Mir Mitchell, at the time.
 MT Mitchell testified that he did not see the officer strike the doctor, but he did see him push. When Mir Mitchell saw the officer approach he moved back, but the doctor did not step back at that time. This was all the testimony for the complaint, and Everett M Roberts, a druggist on West Main street, was called for the defense. He said he saw the crowd at the railroad crossing. but he did not identify the doctor as the man he saw standing in front of the crowd and whom the officer told to step back. He thought the man, as- suming he was the doctor, stepped back to allow a train to pass.
 Officers John F.A Dunphy and James Magner gave substantially the same evidence. Both saw the doctor standing in front of the crowd on the railroad track
 James A. Quinn. special agent for the railroad company. said he gave the officer orders to keep the tracks clear of all except employees and circus men. He knew Officer Stevens had a good deal of trouble in keeping the crowds back, but he did not think he used any unneces- sary force.
 Officer Stevens then testified. He stated that he had big crowd to handle and all stepped back except the doctor when he gave the order. The doctor said there was no train due then, and the officer answered that 1t made no difference, the doctor would have to step back. He then moved him back, whereupon the doctor stepped out, and the officer told him that if he did that again he would run him in." He then moved the doctor back again, pushing him with the back of his hand. Then the doctor. asked him for his number 1'ahd tW ofilcer gave-it. also hc-Canl Though he did not ask for that. Con cluding his testimony. the officer said | he has been three years on the force and was never before the board but this time. Superintendent Beach stated that the officer made a verbal report of the occurrence with the doctor.
 This closed the case and the board after being in retirement about three minutes came back and voted the ofYicer not guilty. Commissioner Minor was in the chair and he stated that 1t was the opinion of the board that the oflcer was strictly within his duty and If he had done less than he did he would not have done his duty. The other commissioners pres ent were Marggraff, Andrews. Grif- fin and Spain.