New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-04
co,,nseI for Ex-InSpeCtorS Close
Abruptly and Testimony Is
So Weak Whitman Dis
dainS RebuttaI.
JURY GETS CASE TUESDAY
news DAUGHTER Confused
Prosecutor While Trying
p, Save Her Father-Ver-
dict of Guilty Would Not
Surprise the Prisoners.

The defence Of the four former police
nspectors-Sweeney. Hussey, Murtha
and Thompson-vas brought TO a close
Yesterday afternoon. None of the ac-
cused men took the stand. SO weak
was the defence, in the opinion of Dis
trct Attorney Whitman. that he re-
Trained from presenting any testimony
in rebuttal.
After the defence conceded that the
afidavits accusing Howard A. Sipp of
an unprirtable crime had been made
out on December u, the day after Sipp
repeated his charges at Police Head
ouarters that Sweeney was a CRATER.
Justice Seabury adjourned court until
Monday afternoon at , o'clock, when
the defence will sum up.
District Attorney Whitman will make
the argument for the people on Tues
day morning. He expects to speak
three hours. Justice Seabury will
charge the Jury after the noon recess
on Tuesday. The case will be in the
hands Of the twelve jurymen before b
o'clock on Tuesday evening. No one
believes the jury will deliberate full
hour.
George Gordon Battle will open for
the defence in behalf of Sweeney
Francis L. Wellman, for Hussey. will
follow Mr.. Battle. Abraham s. Gill
bert. for Murtha. will he the third to
speak John B. Stanchfeld. for Thomp-
son. will close the defence's side. Each
Of the four lawyers will speak one
hour.
Defene. Fears Verdict Of Guilty.
One of the four attorneys employed
By the defence, at cost estimated at
10000, said last night that an ad-
verse verdict would not surprise them.
One of sweeney's police friends said
the Sc me- thing. adding that counsel
Tor Sweeney and his associates were
already at work on an appeal
At the adjournment of court the four
former inspectors, making no effort TO
hide their discouragement mechanical
ly shuff1ed out after the court officers.
who saw them safely across the Bridge
Of Sighs. They were put under lock
and key until Monday morning.
The sudden termination Of the de-
fence was an agreeable surprise TO the
prosecution, which had expected at
least denial Of some Of the charges
In the states testimony. But not
single fact alleged by the state was
denied by any witness called
Abb and character witnesses were
heard yesterday. Their testimony was
20 dull that when court adjourned the
courtroom was deserted save for news
paper men, lawyers, the four prisoners,
Justice Seabury, the jury and the court
attendants.
Inere was only one bright moment.
That was when one OF Sweeney's alibi
witnesses was testifying. Sweeney
himself had fallen into a doze in his
chair. John Kirkland Clark, an AS
sstant District Attorney, who sat i'm
meoiately In front Of George Gordon
Battle, Sweeney's counsel. was also
aozing. So were several others. Some
mng happened that caused a wrangle
between District Attorney Whitman
ana Mr.. Battle. They raised their
voices, but still the dozers dozed.
Finally Mr. Battle. to emphasize
point brought his open hands together
with loud clap.
Protest BY MIR. Clark.
All the dozers sat up and began
Pnnkng, except Assistant District At
'ofney Clark, who, in soto voce and
WI be such that the building Will
nave to come down."
With the possible exceptions of In
continued on sixth page. htth column.