The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-25
CONNOLLY INNOCENT
IN HALLERAN CASE
Queens Borough President Ab-
solved Of Charge Involv-
ing Sister-in-law.
DIVORCE DECISION WAITS
Justice Kelby Will Announce
Finding After Reviewing Mass
of Conflicting Testimony.

Borough President Connolly Of Queens
was indicated yesterday at the conciu-
sion OF the hearing Of the divorce action
Of Mrs. Sarah q. Halleran against her
husband. Aioysius q. Halieran. Justice
Keiby In the Queens county Supreme
Court threw out the counter charge made
by Haileran that his brother-in-iaw. Con-
molly. had been guilty OF misconduct with
Mrs. Haileran.
The four Halleran brothers, Tax Com
missioner John J. iIalleran. Thomas a.
Haileran. Lawrence u. Halleran and
Aloysius q. Haileran. the defendant in
the divorce action, were In court when
the case closed. The room was filled
with politicians and friends Of both sides
Mrs. Connolly and her family. together
with a crowd of friends. sprang around
President Connolly to congratulate him
when Justice kelby announced his deci-
sion The clerk called for order and
probably with a view TO allowing those
present to express their feelings Justice
Kelby retired to his chambers
Immediately following the last Witness
Michael Schaape, one Of the counsel for
Iialleran moved TO exclude from the evi.
dence certain letters alleged 70 have been
written by Miss Gertrude Hatch. known
in Flushing as "Phyro." with whom
Aloysius q. Halleran was accused Of mis-
conduct. This motion was denied. The
court then gave it's decision diminishing
the counter charges against President
Connolly. but reserved decision of Mrs
Halleran's action and requested the at
torneys OF both sides to submit briefs
In his decision Justice kelby said:
Il do not believe all the facts that
were stated in the evidence on behalf
Of the defendants counter claim. The
Identification OF Mr.. Connolly on several
occasions has been proved TO be false
Ident hcation. But assuming that every
thing was true AS YOU have adduced here.
and apart from any f.ud between the
Haleran family and the Borough Presi-
dents family. there IL no evidence against
this woman. That Is what am deciding
in this case. l have nothing TO do with
this other rancor that has been existing
before this trial.
ION the plaintiffs case ! want time 10
reflect on the evidence. There is sone evil
dence on the part OF the plaintiff which
requires confederation. In my mind. be-
cause OF the character OF some " the
witnesses for the plaintin. That testi-
mony standing alone would not convince
me. and want TO look into the record and
find out II there be any corroborative de-
tails"
The wife Of president Connolly was
also a witness and corroborated to great
extent the testimony given the day be-
fore by her husband as TO his where
abouts on certain dates.
In her evidence MrA Halleran named
Eddie sullivan, "A close friend OF her hus-
band and her own family, as her visitor
on the night OF Saturday, March l. when
a number OF witnesses swore they saw
| President Connolly. who that night was at
! the dinner given by the Amen Corner In
the Waldorf. leaving the iialleran home
| by the front door as Halleran entered by
| the rear OF the house.
| Mrs. Haileran said that sullivan was a
| chum OF her husband. on the night In
| question she met him while on her way
| home and he accompanied her to the door
! and then went in. but her husband was
not at home. lie waited about twenty
| minutes, and. Halleran falling to APP
pear. he left.
| Justice Kelby announced that he would
decide the divorce question next week.
J In the meantime Halleran has suit for
| $4,000 damages pending against Mr..
| Connolly. whom he charges with having
alienated the affections OF Mrs. Halleran.