Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-01
BROADHEAD
DISMISSED
BY BOARD
InSubOrdinatiOn Charge Is
Ground
ATTORNEY APPEL MAY ASK
COURTS FOR REVIEW
TRIAL CONSUMES BUT THIRTY
MINUTES BEFORE COMMISSION
Hope Of Prosecutor Eddie That Trial
of Deposed Captain for Accepting
Bribe Might Be Gone Into
Disappointed
ATTORNEY APPEL MAY ASK
COURTS FOR REVIEW
TRIAL CONSUMES BUT THIRTY
MINUTES BEFORE COMMISSION

CAPTAIN THOMAS H. BROAD
HEAD was discharged from the
~ police department by the police
commission last night for the one act
of insubordination committed Wednes-
day night when he refused to take the
stand and answer questions the, police
commission intended to ask him.
There was no trial. Broadhead's act
of insubordination was stipulated by
his attorney, Horace Appel, although
Appel refused to call it insubordtna-
ton. He said the police commission
could apply what term it chose, but
Broadheads refusal to answer the
questions was not through disrespect
to the commission-only because he
feared he would be called on to testi-
fly against himself.
The charges of neglect of duty and
incompetency preferred by the Mu-
nicipal league were NOT touched on,
and it may never be known, officially,
whether the police captain was incom-
petent and neglectful of his duty. City
Prosecutor Guy Eddie, who conducted
the case for the police commission. was
anxious to go into these charges for
he declared he believed thorough In
vestigation of them would produce evil
dence that would lead to a cleanup
of the police department. Mr.. Eddie
NNA NNeA@-
police officers who were called as wit
nesses in the Broadhead trial in the
superior court had perjured themselves
in the testimony they gave, and by
delving into the charges preferred by
the Municipal league he hoped these
would be brought out.
Is Legally Discharged
But the police commission felt that
Broadhead's act in refusing to take
the stand and answer questions pro-
pounded was sufficient ground for dis
missal, and on motion submitted by
Commissioner Trask, Broadhead was
formally dismissed.
Prosecutor Eddie expects Broadhead
to take his case before the superior
court for review under the provisions.
of the new law passed by the last
legislature that permits such reviews
Appel practically admitted this will be
done when he said
'If the acts of this commission are
right, then we are off the police force.
If they are not, as we believe, then
your action is null and void"
When the case is taken to the
review Prosecutor Eddie will file de-
murrer to the constitutionality of the
law and will fight it up to the su-
preme court to have the legal points
tested Some of those who witnessed
Appel's action believe he never in
tended Broadhead should come to
trial before the police commission, and
that Broadhead will be willing to ac-
cept the judgment of dismissal in or
der to protect others who would have
been implicated if the trial had been
held on the Municipal league charges
Again it is suggested Appel intends
to take the matter to court and by
continuance and delay hold the matter
over until January in the hope that
there will be new administration
and one favorable to Broadhead. Pros
ecutor Eddie is fully convinced, how
ever, that Broadhead was legally dis
charged and believes the court will up
hold the action of the police commits
sion.
viii Make Report
That the evidence against other men,
bers of the police department was not
brought out last night is no indication
these other members are to remain on
the force undisturbed. Commissioner
ropham is q committee of one of the
police commission to investigate GER
tain unofficial charges against certain
members of the department and he is
conducting his investigation with
thoroughness and persistency. When
he is ready to report it is considered
probable he will have something worth
while He said last night that in his
OWN SOOQ lllIiS ne WOulQ lliN.hC hio lS-
port and that the fact expected evil
dence was not brought out last night
would have no effect on what he would
report.
1t was less than thirty minutes from
the time the commission took up the
case last night until Captain Broad
head was no longer a member of the
police force In it's shortness and
tameness it was rather a disappoint-
ment to the crowd of curiosity seekers
which had gathered in the lobby.
Topham ereets 5roadhead
Broadhead and his attorney, Horace
Appel. were in the council chamber
long before 8 o'clock, the hour set for
the trial, and were in earnest confer
ence with their heads close together.
AS Commissioner Topham came into
the room he extended his hand to
Broadhead and the accused captain
grasped it warmly. This was the more
strange as Topham is the commissioner
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