New-York tribune., 1920-01-31
Jury Demands
Apology From
Jud &c Gibbs
Bronx County Jurist Accused
Of ''Unjust'' Attack Upon
District Attorney in Po.
liceman Morris Case
Bench Refuses to Retract
Great Principle Is Involved,
He Declares, Challenging
Prosecutor 10 Inquiry

The Bronx County Grand Jury yes
terday severely criticized and censured
County Judge Louis d. Gibbs and de-
handed that he publicly apologize to
the office OF the District Attorney Of
Lronx County.
This criticism was included in pre-
sentiment submitted by the grand jury
tot Supreme Court Justice Francis B.
Delehanty, following its investigation
into the recent trial and acquittal Of
Patrolman John Morris. of the Alex
ander Avenue station, on a charge of
burglary.
Following Morris's acquittal Assist
ant District Attorney Cohen directed
that the patroman be rcarrosted on a
charge of bribery. The arrest was
made outside the courtroom. and Morris
FaS released under bond Of $4,000
4 heated verbal tilt onsuod between
Judge Gibbs and District Attorney
Martin, Judge Gibbs saying that wit
nesscs in the case against the patrol
man had been forced to call at the
office of the District Attorney and
dat they had "committed perjury of
the most fragrant sort
Attack Called "Uniust'
Judge Gibbs was criticized for stat
ing that witnesses in the case had been
intimidated aud coerced by members
of the District Attorneys staff. The
presentment, after reviewing the Nor
ris case, concludes by stating:
1--WE desire to take this occasion to
condemn such an attack for the reason
that it was uncallcd for and unjust.
We feel it our duty to censure Judge
Gibbs for making charges without suf-
ticlent foundation for them. This pre-
sentiment Of the grand jury is unan-
nous and is signed by every one of
the twcntythrec grand Jurors The
Jury is headed by John Stratton
OLeary.
In formal statement replying to
the presentment. Judge Gibbs said yes
terday: II stand finally and unquali-
hedly from now to the end Of time on
rctraction and do not intend to do so"
Judge Gibbs in his statement makes
the following challenges:
IF the District Attorney regards my
statement in the John Morris case as
charges against his official rcctitude
and integrity, | now invite him to Join
with me in an application to The Gov
ernor of the State Of New York to ap-
point the Attorney General to investi-
gate tne conditions criticized by ne as
10 his office in this case, and promise
him now. if such an investigation takes
place, that | shall call the attention Of
the Attorney General to some other
cases which may be properly investi-
gated.
Great Principle lnvolved''
81 am also prepared to join with him
in the interests OF the public in the
making OF an application to the Su-
preme Court, which has received its
prescntment to make public the min
utes of the grand jury in this investl-
cation, SO that the whole proceeding
may obtain that degree Of public con
sidcration that it deserves
"1'here IS IA great principle involved
in this controversy which overshadows
If may be permitted to use the
word made very familiar by grand
jurors rccently-thc original merits Of
this situation. That is, the freedom
and Independence Of the judiciary from
constrant and intim idation by public
prosecutors and others
81 desire to assure all those inter-
ostcd that this is only the beginning
o. the movement to establish the prin-
clple IN tins country for all time that
verdlcts of the Jury and official state
ments by the court are rot subject to
the review or criticism Of district at
;orneys or grand jurics."