Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-29
Developments in
 N.Y.PoIiCe Probe
DESCRIBING TESTIMONY BY
 POLICE IN cRUGER CASE
NEGLIGENCE IS EVIDENT
Lieut.. FiennelIy Placed Blame on Lieut.. Browne for the Delay of IA Hours Before Search for Missing Girl Was Begun.

New York, June 2S.-Evidence of gross negligence at the fourth branch detective bureau in recording the dis appearance of Ruth Cruger, murdered high school student, which resulted in 9 delay of fourteen hours before a search was begun, accumulated today at the investigation Leonard NJ Wall stein, commissioner of accounts, is termine responsibility for police fail ure to find the body in the cellar of Alfredo Cocchi's shop.
 Browne's Testimony contradicted.
 In his examination of several police witnesses today, the commissioner concentrated on the part Lieutenant NJ. Browne had in the case Browne when the missing girls disappearance was brought to the bureaus attention. Lieutenant John J. F1annelly, who re- ieved him, ffatly contradicted Browne's testimony that he had turn ed over the report to Flannelly. The witness said also Browne told him was that there was "a missing person in placed on Lieutenant Browne blame for the initial delay.
 It developed during testimony of Detective Sergeant Frank McGee that Police Commissioner Woods had be- squad, after Cocchi had been located in Italy, because of the reported friendliness between some motorcycle policemen and the murderer. McG ee testified he had closed the case of Coc- chi's disappearance because Commits sioner Woods had assigned Captain Costigan to the case
 Tt was taken from my hands, he said.
 Was Certain Girl Had Been Murdered
 Asked what he had told Mrs Grace Humiston, who found the body, Me Gee said:
 T told her that after having made a lengthy investigation, I felt morally certain the girl had been murdered
 Did you share Sergeant Lagarenne's elopement theory at the time he made his report 2"
 At first I thought it reasonable, but changed my mind afterward,"
 McGee admitted that his search of CocchPS premises was not exhaus- tive. Asked why, he explained:
 Well, one reason that put me off was that Cocchi is the first Italian to commit crime that I have ever ence who stayed on the scene of the crime. I have been successful in hunting down crimes and this is tho only case where an Italian has stayed on the scene"
 Why didn't you dig in Cocchi'S eel lar at the beginning?"
 'I did dig there, Your Honor, I was one who suggested digging there. It was my idea and you can ask Mrs. Humiston if digging wasn't done there on my idea McGee said.
 'Why didn't you dig there before June 16, the date when the body was found ?"
 T just did not, Your Honor"
 Detective Wept.
 The detective wept when the com missioner asked if there was any req son why charge of negligence should not be brought against him.
 ''In sight of God and man." McGee said, T did the best I could on that search. I did everything I could"
 Your testimony gives me the i'm pression you are honest the com missioner said at the close of the ex- amina ton.
 District Attorney Swann announced tonight that Mrs. Humiston had been offered a position on his staff which she had not yet accepted. Mrs. Hum iston had given him important details of the white slave traffic. he added. which will be valuable in future in VeStigatiOnS