New-York tribune., 1922-01-27
BoddyLispsOut
Story of Police
StationTorture
Negro Slayer Says He Was
Beaten Into Desperation
by Detectives Over I'm
founded Crime Charges
Poses as a Minor Rogue
admits Joy Riding in Stolen
Auto; Tells of Plea for
Aid in Houndcd Life

Auto; Tells of Plea for
Aid in Houndcd Life
Luther Boddy. who shot and killed
Detective Serseants Buckley and
Miller on January as they were
taking him to the West both street
police station to question n'n' test'-
acd Yesterday at his murder trial
sAou. previous experiences IN this
erccn i;qhtcd. brick outpost OF the law
rjsk;ns the pitfalls OF cross-exam-
.rat;on. the young Harlem negro, in a
eft voice calculated to turn away the
r-atla Of society as represented by the
.relyc Jurors. took the stand to lisp
ss story OF six beatings he says were
administered to him by detectives as
.,aed to that station.
Boddy Poses as Minor Rogue
esestioned by one of the lawyers
appointed by the court to defend him,
he Youthful bad man of the black
belt uic,ured himself as a rogue OF
minor caliber. His replies to his coun-
sel's questions indicated that he nav
nave pswned an overcoat he knew had
been stolen and taken" An automobile
,or a joy ride But there was no suv-
ses.ion In his replies that he was
guilty Of any of the major crimes he
saws the detectives tried to torture him
,nto confessing. Boldly was setting up
as defense plea of justiAable homi-
Tide, committed under the stress of
insane terror.
It was almost half-past in tho aft
..roon when Herman Hoffman, one Of
he defendants state-paid lawyers,
called Roddy to the stand. With his
elbows on the arms of the witness chair
and his black fingers tensely woven to-
gether and pressed against his blue
serge vest. Boldly, replying to ques-
lions. said he was born in Port Deposit,
Nd twenty-three years ago and named
,he schools he attended down TO De Witt
Clinton High School. where ne COM
peted the second year before quitting
10 60 TO work.
A thick tongue and heavy lips, and
possibly the admonitions Of his advis-
trs. had softened the voice Of the young
black.
what asked Mr.. Hoffman, was
your first experience with the police ?"
Introduction to Police
"A couple Of planclothes men broke
INTO ny room-l was just about to re-
tire--and took me to the 136th Street
station"
"Nhat happened there?"
Il was beaten, Of course
"Why had they taken you there?"
They wanted to know about some
Burglary"
What became Of the case"
Il was discharged"
What was the next time?''
1t was June I, 1918 (Boddy was
i len nineteen years old). and I had
zen taken to the precinct"-
What for 90
Absolutely nothing. Suspicion
What did they say theyArsanteE you
,.Fr
They said they were going to ques-
ION me
What did they do!
y was severely beaten
Uniting the questions propounded
sYAr. Hoffman, Boddy's story of that
0sasnce was as follows:
Twas taken to the rear room OF
II 3sth Precinct West l35th Street).
.isfe were about seven men there.
0ne was Anton Strauser. ! was in the
z'ddlc of them. After they had
punched me q few times | was set in
q chair like this Body indicated the
witness chair and one was on each
SIDE Of me; one in front and one in the
rear. Then they took a foot of rubber
nose that vas nailed to a piece Of
Groom handle and I was beaten
How long did that last?"
Prisoner Tells Of Beating
Well with half smile) it seemed
IN hour"
What them"
! was released. | got home in time
"'.o was put to bed. This rubber hose
''Ssn leave any marks: just bruises"
,.;s No, ,onc after this beating, Boldly
''st'ned ne was picked bp by a man
] san was "0ficer Martin"
0~t"he his counsels questions.
.,.l s "as his story of that alleged at
was taken into the same back room
3 s.a severely beaten. There were about
q ,uF officers. 1t WIS about stabbing.
h mere had been dance. They wanted
B Know who was the fellow who had
5& w o'ihS. 3idN tlCkcC Tor
s. aat dane in my pocket. Instead OF
9avlncing them that hadn't been
e,e it made them more sure. They
'ad must have had two tickets and
'ed the other one. I didn't know any
aag abou, the stabbing. I was ques-
b saso about twenty-five minutes. There
'es the usual threats Of abuse. They
eA they'd give me trimming. There
e no rubber hose and no black Jack
rs tine. Just tists-for about two
'u'S Detective Scott was there, but
walked cut before they began to
"a me- He told them not to beat me.
In they got through he came back
,,n.pNtended to quarrel with the offi-
sM hitting me-
Mas that OUT said Justice Was
Nia' did Detective Scott say when
asAe back - prompted Mr.. Hoffman.
~. .s sad: Didn't I tell you fellows
f More Allegations Of Abuse
d"aa' was the next experience you
n E wife and were at a dance. 7
$40 .s"ec outside. They wanted to
l. s.e. .e. Ny wife accompanied me to
lev @uon house. | don't know what
4 Questioned me about. was in
q. UNI office first and then in the /
me 'voh They told my wife to go |
,;cs. s.a- they were going to keep me
sEi'' said ] was under arrest"