The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-31
MAY DROP CHARGE
ACCUSED COP, WEIPPERT,
SCORES POINT.
Strong Witness for Him Tells Board
Policeman Didn't Use Bully Tactics
Making Arrests.

The Police Board, with the assistance
of James MCGEE, of SO Thomas street,
who appeared as the chief witness for
Policeman. William Weippert, of the
by William Rosen, of North Canal
street, with unlawfully arresting him
and striking several women with the
strap of his club, yesterday threw cold
water on the case brought by the Canal
street people. The commissioners evil
IDENTIFY purposed that the policeman
should get a square deal and that his
witnesses were not confused by the
complainant's attorney In their
testimony. Though the charges
against the policeman are set
down for next Monday afternoon. 1t is
possible. after the reception given the
complainants yesterday, that they will
not come forward to press the charge.
The early part of yesterdays session
of the Police Board was somewhat en-
livened by the appearance of James
MCGEE, who appeared as a witness for
the policeman. McGee said he did
not think that he could be present
Monday afternoon, and requested the
board to hear his testimony yesterday.
The policeman's witness was bitter in
his attack upon the crowd that fol-
lowed the policeman in Canal street,
and said that Welppert was justified in
acting as he did, which the witness
declared was conslderate compared to
how he would have acted in a similar
situation. Mo- one of the mber of
the board. disputed McGee. The wit
ness declared that Weippert acted in a
surprisingly lenient "a in the face of
the fact that the unfriendly ? crowd
surged about him heaping all
of abuse on the cop.
MCGEE testified that he saw one man
present at the hearing sneak up behind
n wagon in Canal street and pick up a
stone.
II watched him as he left the crowd
said MCGEE, land he was about to
throw the rock at the policeman when
| ran over and told him | o give
him a beating If he did not drop the
stone.'
THAT man is now in the room" said
MCGEE, land I can point him out to
you,' he continued, whereupon a tall
man skunk out the door of the room.
and was not present when MCGEE went
to find him.
This piece of testimony apparently
was the star trump for the defense.
When Attorney Newton Kensey, who
represents the complainant In the case,
began to cross-examine MCGEE he
found that he mad to cope with a Tar
tar" During the examination the wit
ness appeared to nave a shade the bet
ter of it as there was no one to restrain
him from saying just what he pleased.
McGee's answers created no little
mirth. The witness at first refused to
state where he lived, but on the ad-
vice of the board gave his answer. say
ing that he lived in the Tenth. with
the old war horse" meaning Commits
sioner Harrigan.
MCGEE, in answer to questions by
Attorney kensey, said that he was
employed as aleather worker for Jim
Smith.
do you approve of the manner in
which the officer made the arrest?'
asked Kensey.
mo. 1 didn't approve of it, an
swered Niece.
"Then you don't approve of bully
tactics?" said Kensey.
well, the officer did not use any
bully tactics" replied MCGEE. IF 1
was in his place | would have dubbed
more than one of them, and | would
have brought in that who
butted in
Attorney Kensey then cross-ex-
amined MCGEE to test his memory
Commissions Kan said it was evil
dently(t the intention of the counsel to
mix the witness up. MCGEE said he
would try to appear on Monday.
Three Fourth Precinct policemen,
George Messner. who missed his pull
twice: George II. Rider, who was late
on his pull, n Charles r. Carr, who
was found by Roundsman Seipel sitting
on a step, were before the Police Board
Yesterday. The charges against them
were dismissed. j
The request of the roundsmen of
the city that they be given one night
off in six instead of seven was granted.
Under the present system the rounds
men never get Saturday or a Sunday
night off.
At the meeting of the commissioners
on Monday the charges brought
against Policeman Thomas Campbell,
of the First Precinct Station. will be
heard. Campbell is charged by Alley
fowler, a boy, with ~assaulting him
while making an arrest in Bank street
on June 2S. The boy claims that the
policeman struck him in the face with
out provocation.
The board granted the request of
Police Commissioned William Morton
that he be made a special policeman.
According to Morton boys congregate
around his house and make it dupleas-
ant at times. The motion to grant the
request was passed with a smile all
around.
The special policeman's badge of
Rocco Di Stifano. of II Hayes street,
was revoked at the suggestion II Cap
tain Vogel.