The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-28
Shonts Charges Rordan
With Perverston of Laqv
Long Document Filed With Gov Whitman Accuses Cor
oner of Suppressng and Twisting Evidence and
Falsely Constituting Statutes.


ALBANY, n. Y, Jan. 27.--Charges
against Coroner Patrick ID. Riordan OF
New York city, made by Theodore p.
Rapid Transit Company. we're received by
Gov. whitman tonight.
These are really serious charges" was
the Governors comment upon the Shonts
accusations. lie turned the documents
over to his counsel for study and will
himself take them up for consideration
Immediately.
The charges, which grew out OF the ac-
cident on the Ninth avenue elevated rail-
road on December 0. In which two per-
sons were killed. include malfeasance in
office. and "A number OF specific instances
are given. Lawyers Burke and Campbell.
OF the legal stan OF the Interborough.
drafted the charges and handed them to
Gov. Whitman.
Counsel for Mr. Shonts said last night
that the documents sent to Gov. whitman
accuse Coroner Riordan of falsely and
maliCously causing the lnterborough d.
rectors to be arrested for manslaughter,
committing acts In perversion OF law.
neglecting to perform his official duty
and demonstrating utter Incompetence TO
hold the office Of Coroner There are $40
printed pages OF the charges and min
utes. which say OF Coroner Riordau:
That he was advised, Influenced. led
inundated and controlled by certain
newspapers and by persons owning and
concerned in publishing them and !nstlgat-
ing an attack Editorials, news articles
and cartoons from the New York Imeri-
can and EreninD Journal are cited. and
II is charged also that Coroner Riordan
was Influenced and led by the secret
suggestions, promptlngs and advice" OF
Herbert r. l.imburg, a lawyer connected
with the publishers OF those newspapers
Exclusion OF OmcinIs.
That he lntcrfered with the invcstiga.
ton OF the District Attorneys office, pre-
vented the exercise Of its official powers
attempted 70 exclude the District Attorney
and his assistants from tho inquest. while
trying falsely to make il appear of rec
ord that he allowed them due freedom
So that he Nigh, accomplish his purpose
to accuse the directors with crime and
that hc was grossly discourteous and in
suting to Them and compelled them &,
withdraw from the inquest In order C
preserve their dignity.
That he prevented from testifying wit
nesses whose testimony would have tended
10 prove the innocence OF the INTERIOR
ough directors. ntimidated them, dis
b torted their testimony and suppressed evi
/ dence OF the directors innocence.
That he conducted the inquest and ex
| animation Of witnesses upon new. there
! toforc unknown and utterly false theories
and statements OF tho law as to the prope
| management OF the railways, mislead
! ing the jury into finding a verdict fslscl,
! charging the directors with second de
! gree manslaughter"
That he instructed the jury falsely a
| to the law on the questions involved, an'
refused offers Of advice In correctl!
/ charging them.
That he discharged the only person
against whom any possible evidence o
criminal responsibility has been made 4
appear, and turned his criminal accuse
] ton against innocent persons.
In support OF his charges Mr.. Shont