New-York tribune., 1919-06-21
'Women's Court Magistrate
Asserts Prosecution
of Disorderly Conduct
Cases Is SSDamnable''
Rejects Testimony
OF Vice Squad Man
Doctors and Priest Tell
of Character of Irene
Bonser, Arrested Twice

What is said to be a precedent was
Established in the Woman's Court yes
terday, when Magistrate William Blau
refused to accept the uncorroborated
testimony of a policeman against
young woman charged with "disorderly
conduct" Irene 3onser, twenty one
years old, of 1899 Third Avenue, ar
rested on May "a by Detective Joseph
Aaloney, was pronounced innocent and
the complaint dismissed. The present
system of trying such cases was pro-
nounced "damnabie" by the court.
The case of Miss Bonser was almost
an exact parallel to that of Miss
Lillian Cohen and Miss Sally Kobin,
who were found guilty on the testi-
mcny Of Detective Gunson. but were
later declared innocent by Judge Rosal-
sky, who reviewed the case. Gunson
and Maloney worked together on the
Cohen Kobin case and were together
in the Bonscr case, also. Both are
members of the vice squad
William Solomon, counsel for Miss
Bonser, said after yesterdays trial
j. that all the facts OF the case would be
turned over to the grand jury and
that other necessary steps would be
taken to clear Miss Bonser's name.
Last December she was convicted on
similar charge and put on probation.
Judge Rosalsky has an appeal pending
in that case
Good Character Testified To
The trial of Miss Bonser had dra-
matte elements seldom equalled in the
women's court, which, ordinarily, is
Inc scene merely of procession of
sordid cases in which there is little
element of doubt Backed by Roman
Catholic priest, John j. Lyons, Re-
publican politician, and her two family
physicians, all of whom testified to her
good character, the white-faced frail
looking girl, in plain blue suit and
piaek sailor hat, sat with her lips NOV
Ing IN prayer while the thunder roared
ontside the courtroom window and the
intense darkness compelled the turning
on OF the lights at o'clock
=, This girl has endocarditis. She is
nkeiy to drop dead at any moment"
Xr. Dennis A. McAuliffe, of Fordham
Hospital, had testified.
sne only shivered when the thunder
storm broke, and retained her com
Posure until the judge had pronounced
!a.ei ner innocent. when she framed a hasty
Thank you," and hurried from the
room in tears.
ihe testimony on both sides con-
.ained many references to her previous
arrest and the alleged threat made bv
ner father to "beat up" the detectives.
MaIoney Denies Threat
=, Maloney denied the father had ever
L =.
tMalorey) said to the girl:
I'VE got you now. Now tell YOUR
1ather to come and knock my head off.
:. But the girl said that while the po-
neemen were taking her to the police
station, Gunson said:
:, Now tell your big bluff of father
mat all his politicians can't help you
H,, Sow; Maloney has got you good.
You'll get year"
Here Mr. Solomon. her lawyer, inter
"Dc you believe this officer arrested
Sou to get vengeance on your father?"
NO other reason is possible" she
answered.
1t was the first time she had been
on Broadway since her probation per.
100, she testified. That night friend
had called at her house. They had
taken a bus ride and then had gone to
me Garden Restauran. for a few
dances.
II only drank lemonade" she said,
,out after a while I began to think
ne was drinking too much. told him
! would leave him if he didn't stop. 1t
vas then 1890 and l wanted him to
take me home. He refused, and or
aefed another drink. l didn't really
snink he would let me 90 home alone,
PUT got up and left the table. / put
On my hat and coat slowly, and then
"Aiked out Of the restaurant, thinking
ae would follow as soon as he had
paid the bill.
Army Officer Involved
II walked slowly up the block, and
ne aidn't come. / noticed q man in
civilian clothes edging toward me
rom one side of the walk, and a man
dressed in the uniform OF an army
S'Heer from the other. The army Of
nser spoke. 70 me. I stepped over to
taxicab TO get away from him. wait
minute, grille, he said, Ill take you
Just then a man pushed the officer
tswsy and ordered me to get out Of the
fi. Ihen / recognized Officer Ma
'vn.ssy, VINO mad arrested me before.
asked That the army officer be ar
ssseo, 200, but he refused. saying that
officer" NN' "''u '"'
1sss Bonssr .gaid she had been at
.nooi IN a convent, and Father Duffy,
1T PARISH priest, testified he had seen
III ~ frequently, especially since her ar
80 s isst December, and had learned
"v,ninG detrimental 70 her character.
~ 4. ). h0rgAu and DR.. Dennis A.