Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-11
POLICEMAN SKEPSK|
MAKES EXPLANATION
Woman Accuses Him Of Unbecom-
ing Conduct, Which He EN-
phatically Denies.

At the meeting Of the Board Of Police
Commissioners yesterday afternoon, Leon.
ard Skepski patrolman, wns charged
with conduct unbecoming an officer, in
connection with an incident that took
place Sunday morning, August |, when
Skepski was alleged TO have chased Mrs.
Emma Cloud through Union street early
in the morning.
The woman declared that she saw n man
behind n pole and did not know until
afterwards that he was n policeman. Ihis,
she said. frightened her and accounted Tor
her turning and running back to her home
at Ala Union street. She explained that
she was preparing TO leave for Wildwood,
N. j., and had been to the home OF her
sister To secure water, which she was
carrying in bottles for baby. Lorenzo ID.
Cloud. husband of the woman, said his wife
was i'm an excited. nervous condition fol-
lowing the incident and that she has re-
uuired the services of physician. The
woman said Skepski did not act IN q
gentlemnnlv manner.
Frank Morgan and Joseph Haley OF the
Union Fire CO. testified to hearing the
screaming as the woman passed the engine
house. Samuel Spiegel and Harry Beck,
living near Fourth and Union streets, also
preparing TO leave for Wildwood ON the
morning Of the affair, related how they
heard the woman's scream and rushed out
to her aid.
Patrolman Skepski denied hiding be-
Hind pole, but said he saw the woman
shortly after he made his o'clock report
at Front and Union streets. The woman
could see he was n police officer, Skepskf
said, as he declared that there are are
lights there. He explained that when he
first saw her, she was standing near adry
goods store at Fourth and Union streets.
lie admitted chasing the woman. saving
that ms she was carrying basket at that
enrly hour this aroused hissuspicions, asit
was still dark He said he started walking
after her. She looked back several times
and finally started running and screaming.
II was then that Skepski started 70 run
also. not knowing what il all meant
Skepski had presented 10 the board his
resignation. stating that he would rather
resign than stand trial Before the letter
was acted upon, however, he asked that
he be permitted 10 withdraw IL and this
request was granted. No decision was
given by the board Yesterday Mr..
Smith, the president, said today that de-
cision n would be made in day or two
James 6. Riley, member Of the
detective force. was charged with con
duct unbecoming an officer and gentle
man, by Mrs Wilhelmina Mclntire,
1920 Washington street when he went,
to her home on July 2S TO seek infor ma
tion about her brother. Riley denied the
charge. Decision was reserved.
Riley denied that he had acted in
any indecent or disrespectful manner
toward Mrs Mclntire, "a the letter had
charged He related the details of his
visit to the house, declaring that he was
in search Of Mrs Mclntire's brother and
that in company with another memher
of the detective force. he had visited the
home on two prior occasions.
Riley denied that he was intoxicated
as bad also been alleged Amos Talles and
Homer First, street car conductors, on
the cars used by Riley in going 70 his home
from the home Of Mrs. Mclntire, both
testified that Riley was not intoxicated.
When questioned by $ X Smith, presi-
dent of the board, Riley admitted that he
had had two drinks in the morning. but
said he had eaten his breakfast after
wards
The incident at the home Of Mrs. Nc
, Iutire was alleged 10 have taken place
around noon of the day in question. Mrs.
NcIntire said the detective made an inn
proper remark after he had asked her for
a drink Of water, Riley denied this