New-York tribune., 1911-02-26
ARREST IN NUGENT CASE
Attendant at Matteawan Accused
of MansIaughter.
BRUTALITY is ALLEGED
Another Employe Testifes Pillow
Case Was Wound Around
Victims Neck.

Poushkeepsie, n. Y, Feb. 25.-Danlei
Rilev. an attendant at the Mattea"an
Asvur, for the Criminal Insane, was ar
rested here tonight. charged Win man
slaughter in the first degree. In connec-
tion with the death Of John j. Nugent'
patient at the institution.
Nugent died on February 3, ana
| charges that he had been subjected 10
violence resulted In his body being ex-
humed on Long Island only few days
ago. The majority Of the physicians
who made the autopsy were inclined TO
think that he was victim or heart
disease but rumors OF violence persisted
and to-day County Judge Hasbrouck eX-
amined witnesses here and afterward
ordered RiIey's arrest. Riley's lawyer
went on his bond for $4,000, and exam
jnation was set for Thursday, March z.
According to the testimony given at
to-day's hearing by George Gaibraith'
also an attendant at the hospital, Nu-
gent was brutally treated two days be-
fore his death. He swore that Nugent
had been brought under submission by
winding a pillowcase about his neck
after which ne was thrown on bed and
"kneed."
On February !, according to CAL
braiths statement under oath, Nugent
came down out of his room to the room
of the attendants on the floor below He
broke into the room and Galbraith, ac-
companied by Riley and Edward Masten.
caught him by the arms to take him
lack to his room upstairs. While CAL
braith and Masten held Nugents arms
so he could not fight. says the statement
Riley took an empty pillow slip and
wound il about Nugent's throat, forcing
him into his room.
On this day, says Galbraith, Nugent
was not "kneed" by the attendants. The
term "kneed," he explained. consisted OF
an attendant placing his knees on the
stomach OF the patient and moving them
to and fro In a violent manner. But the
next day, which was Thursday, GaibraIth
swears, the three attendants again nad
an encounter with Nugent, who had be-
come unruly. On this occasion, he says,
Riley again wound :he FELLOWSHIP about
Nugents neck. drew it taut. then threw
Nugent on the bed and jumped on him.
Iutting his knees into Nugents stom-
ach end giving him treatment OF
"lxneeing." The next morning, when at
tendants went to Nugents room, he was
dead.
To-day's developments were brought
about indirectly through DIR. Howells
Bontecou, Poughkeepsie physician,
who took part in the autopsy on Nu-
gents body and was not convinced that
death was due TO heart failure. The
physician notified the authorities that
Gaibrajth had made an affidavit and the
Sheriff went TO Matteawan to-day with
orders TO detain the three attendants
mentioned Riley and Masten
until the case could be cleared up.
The Sheriff found that GaIbraith had
hacked all his clothes and was preparing
to leave the institution. All three were
brought TO Poughkeepsie and Galbraith
was questioned for nearly three hours.
Masten was allowed to go. Galbraith
was placed under $500 bonds to insure
his presence in court when wanted as
witness and Riley was arrested.
When Riley was arraigned before him
tonight Judge Hasbrouck said
Riley, you are charged with man.
slaughter in the first degree in having
.f Tn,. nnt NJ
the Matteawan State Hospital 1t Is
charged that you twisted pillow slip
about his neck, strangling him. and then
threw him on the bed and jumped on
him with your knees. You are AT liberty
to make q statement II you so desire
George Wood. Riley's attorney, said 70
the court that he felt confident that
when YOU have heard all the evidence In
this case 1t will not be necessary to 60