The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-11-18
PREFERS CHARGES
AGAINST n mAH0N
Acting Chief of Police Accuses
Head of Detectives With
Neglect of Duty.
POLICE BOARD WILL ACT
Offense Is Alleged Failure to
Report Merriman Case
to Pollock.
POLICE BOARD WILL ACT

Charges Of neglect OF duty against
Captain Of Detectives 7. J. Mcmahon
have been preferred by Acting Chief
OF Police George e. Pollock. and an
now in the hands Of Mayor George
Ainslie. The latter said yesterday
that he had referred the charges to
the Board Of Police Commissioners. and
they will be acted upon at . meeting
Wednesday night.
Captain Pollock last night declined
to discuss the matter. except to say
that Captain Mcmahon had not been
served with papers. Mayor Ainslie
said the charges had been given him
and he merely referred them to the
commissioners Captain Mcmahon had
no comment to make when seen by
reporter for The Times-Dispatch.
The specification against Captain
Mcmahon is that he failed to report
to his superior officer that a crime
had been committed when he learned
Of the arrest Of Charles c. Merrtman
last Tuesday night. after the BODY OF
a newborn child had been found buried
in a woodhouse at his home. 1915 West
Main Street 1t Is understood that
Captain Pollock knew nothing OF the
matter until the following morning.
This Is said to have led MIN to pre-
fer charges against the detective cap
tain to the Mayor.
The body was found buried in the
woodhouse shortly before o'clock
Tuesday afternoon, and the arrest OF
Merriman by acknowledgements WI
ley and Kellam Immediately followed.
Captain Mcmahon was informed over
the telephone of the facts. At that
time he did not know the name Of the
man under arrest. and told reporters
they would have to get details Of the
case from Wiley and kella4-- About
s o'clock that night he obtained a
signed statement from Merrlman at
the Second Police Station.
Under police regulations. an onicer
is required to report Immediately to
of any crime, and especially in cases
Of murder and suspected murder.
The regular trial meeting Of the
nesday night. and indicat ons are that
the hearing of Captain McMahon's case
will be gone into at this time.
In view Of apparent conditions which
have existed for long while at po-
lice headquarters, 1t is believed to be
likely that the results of this trial
may be far-reaching and bring about
q long-expected "shake-up' in the
force.
Chief Of Police Werner has been out
Of town for several days, and in his
absence Captain Pollock has been act
ing chief. Major Werner is expected
to return to the city tonight. IT was
said last night at his home. and while
he Is not involved in the case. he will
probably attend " sdnes days meet
Ing.
Captain Mcmahon became a mem
Der OF the force in 1891. In 1904 ne
was appointed a detective-sergeant or
trial, and january l. 1905. his appoint
ment as a sergeant was confirmed. He
was designated acting captain in 1905
and the following year he was made
captain OF detectives So far as the
public knows, he has conducted the
affairs of his office in a satisfactory
manner.
When it became known yesterday
that charges had been made azains,
Captain Mcmahon by Acting Chief
Pollock it created suppressed excite
rnent among members of the force
aroused intense interest and caused
much speculation as to the outcome OF
the affair.