New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-13
POLICEMAN "SQUEALS."
BROTHER OFFICER HELD.
Jerome Discovers Plot to RAILROAD"
Prisoner.

One of the traditions of the force was shat
tered yesterday when District Attorney Jerome
forced a patrolman to admit that his corrobo-
rative evidence was perjured, as was that of the
officer whose story he was backing up. Leander
Terhune who would have had four service stripes
in little more than a year, was locked up in
the TOmbs for perjury in default of $4,000 bail,
set by Judge Rosalsky. This was not done until
the District Attorney had cajoled Edward a.
keerney, who has been patrolman little more
than year. into admitting that his story of the
arrest of Charles Smith for burglary false.
Smith who is about nineteen years old, was
found guilty of the charge and brought up for
sentence yesterday. Since his trial Assistant
District Attorney Hart who prosecuted him. be-
came convinced that the prisoner was being
"railroaded" So. when Smith was brought in
yesterday for sentence Terhune was put on the
stand again and told the same story that he had
at the trial that he had Smith rifiing
candy store in West 145th street. had whistled
for assistance and caught the man.
Then Kearney was put the stand. When
pressed to tell a story in any way conflicting
with Terhune's. Kearney couldn't remember
or forgot"
Now. Kearney," said Mr. Jerome, quietly and
easily but with all the earnestness of which he
was capable. Il understand that you come Of
a very good family up the state. You're decent
man and have had an excellent record. How
long have you been on the force?"
About year" said Kearney, who began to
look uncomfortable Terhune and the other po-
Icemen interested had been excluded from the
court room so that they would not hear what
Kearney had TO say
What did you do before you became a police
man?" asked Mr.. Jerome.
II taught school," replied Kearney, in a vhis-
per
Now, look here Kearney." said Mr.. Jerome
eff YOU have made any mistake in the evidence
you have given in this case it's not too late to
remedy It. We will do what for you and
see that you are protected. Just tell the truth"
Kearney has been on the force long enough
to know what happens to a "squealer" in the
guardroom, so he still stuck to his original story
Judge RosalsIty took him aside and talked with
him for a while without avail Then Mr.. Jerome
took hand again, and Kearney surrendered
finally to the persuasion. Back on the stand he
admitted that he was the only police officer who
had seen a burglar in the candy store. and that
he had permitted Terhune to go the stand
and tell the story as though he had been present
Patrolmen Condor and Walsh who responded
10 Kearney's whistle, went on the'stand and told
about the time that they had got to the store
and what were the relative positions of Kearney
and Terhune although they said nothing which
exception of fixing the time.
Frank Reiner, a saIoonkeeper testified that
passing near the candy the night Of the
robbery he heard patrolman's whistle Run
ming up to the candy store he found Kearney
there and no one else.
Following this statement Mr.. jerome addressed
the court saying:
Now. this young officer, Kearney. is the limo
cent victim Of a vicious system that has grown
up and obtained in this city. and especially on
the police force, for a great many years He
was doing what is probably frequently done in
this city by older officers. who wish 10 have
their stories corroborated by the younger men.
The conditions surrounding this case are so
grave, looking 10 a mans liberty. that, while
the officer who caused this young man TO do as
he did might be punished at Police Headquarters
under the rules. l believe the criminal side Of
this case ought 10 be brought TO the front as 4
warning if nothing else. Therefore, I ask your
honor to commit summarily on the evidence he
gave himself this morning before your honor
this policeman, Terhune. on a charge OF per
jury"
Terhune was summoned. and slouched into tn
courtroom trying 10 pin his shield through III"
lapel OF his coat. He Shook his head when Nj
jerome charged him with perjury. He thrust
his shield back into his pocket. and glared vi
ciousy at Smith and Kearney, as his hands
gripped the rail nervously.
Judge Rosalsky held him in $4,000 for the
grand jury. An attempt was made TO bail him
out In the afternoon by Mrs. Anna Sheehan Of
No. 1921 Eighth avenue. but tho security was
not accepted. Although the case went to the
grand jury IT failed to return any Indictment
yesterday, although It IS practically sure to do
so to-day.