The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-20
cop" ACCUSED Of
HOLDUP FREED As
INQUIRY PROCEEDS
Cecil Fleet Released on His
Own Recognizance-Said to
Have Taken Money From
Man at Point of Pistol.

Charges that Cecil Fleet patrolman,
held up Rupert Bloodworth, automobile
mechanic, former city fireman, who Is
said to have admitted he was boot
which later was returned, after raid
on A. Grandis joint, Huling avenue
and South Second street, threatened
him at the point of a pistol and did
other things unbecoming an officer, are
still pending following the officer s. .sus-
pension and a hearing before G. Il,
Quinn, commissioner of fire and police,
Monday.
Despite the gravity of the charges
the patrolman was released upon his
own recogniZance, after his story ana
Bloodworths $, directly contradictory to
each other, were told to the commits
sioner
Fleet was suspended temporarily sun
day night by Chief j. b Burney. He
was stripped Of his badge and equip
ment and spent the night In the cell-
room at police headquarters. His susT
pension was upheld by MIR. Quinn pend
ing further investigation.
Bloodworth, an automobile mechanic
and former city fireman, South Or
leans street, Is the main complaining
| witness. Bloodworth said he was ~
! the Grandi store when Fleet entered
| He alleged he was called out OF bed
| about midnight Saturday night to pro
| vide bond for Grandi who had been
arrested on chit ge OF running a craps
game in his pace. Bloodworth said
| after accomplishing That he started out
! for an automobile ride and that he
! picked up several negro musicians. lie
| Gains to have met Fleet at Mail
| street and Monroe avenue and that
| Fleet requested "a drink. When he re-
| fused he said Fleet appeared to be-
| come offended. Bloodworth then drove
| to the Grandi place and had been there
| but a few minutes, he said, when Fleet
appeared He said Fleet held them VI
at the point of his pistol and that he
took about $3.50 from him, later return
| ing all but $25.
Fleets story to Mr.. Quinn Monday
morning differed materially from Blood
worths allegations. Fleet says he wal
| patroling his beat at Main street ant
| Monroe avenue when Bloodworth will
several negro musicians, all playing lus
| tily, came along. He stopped them
he said, and told them they must ge
off the main streets as they wer'
making too much noise. Apparently
needing the order, Bloodworth drov
off, Fleet said Hardly had they started
Fleet said than the negroes starte'
playing again, louder, If anything, thal
before, Suspecting they were heade
| for Grandt's. place he said he followe
them and found them there. Whe
he sought an explanation of why the
scorned his order a few minutes be
fore Fleet said the party becam
threatening, In order TO quiet ther
he admitted to Quinn that he drew hi
gun. Bloodworth ran from the place
Fleet denies he fired his gun.
There was no one at the hearln
Monday who testified that he did, bu
Bloodworth said he learned from ne
gro that Fleet did fire his pistol afte
, he (Bloodworth) fled. Fleet denied h
, took Bloodworths money.
Mr.. Quinn said after the hearing tina
Fleet did wrong to leave his beat will
out notifying headquarters. Fleet sal
: he did not have time to send IN
{ call, especially as he was not sure tn;
} he would find the party at Grandfs.
Bloodworth admitted he had bee
drinking.
l Fleet, Quinn says, was well recon
4 mended to him when he was put on II
/ force about a week ago. Prior to b.
t coming patrolman Fleet worked fl
c the gas company.