Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-26
OFFICERS QU|zzED
IN FAMILY BEATING
CoIored Man Charges Two
Second Precinct Police
men Were Abusive.

Two second precinct officers were
hailed before the police trial board today
on charges Of having beaten several col
ored persons on the night Of May 30
while taking q man for whom they had
q warrant.
The policemen, Clyde N. Strange and
W.. c. Handley. jr- were brought before
the board on the complaint Of James
Thomas, colored, 129 Reeves court, who
accused them of having struck him and
his stepdaughter, Rosetta johnson, and
cursed his wife, Mamie, while under the
influence Of liquor.
Thomas testified he and his wife
were asleep on a davenport when the
officers entered. Strange, he declared,
awakened him by slapping his face.
He acted like q maniac, cusstng and
carrying on" Thomas added.
wife veriaes story.
His testimony was corroborated by
his wife, who explained she awcke
when she heard the policeman arguing
with her daughter, who had been sit
ting on the front steps with her baby.
When the officers entered, the Thomas
woman added, Strange beat my hus-
band in the face TO wake him up
When Rosetta Johnson objected to
Strange's conduct, the witness contin-
ued, the officer threatened 10 break
her neck" The woman and her hus-
band subsequently, were arrested on
disorderly conduct charges, she said.
The johnson woman testified that
Strange struck her and also abused sew
eral colored children, including Wallace
Jackson q; Elizabeth Lynch and VIII
liam Williams, 81. Her statement was
contradieted, however, by williams, who
denied that Strange struck him. He
added that he did not see the odicer
hit any one else.
Testimony Contradicted.
Contradictory testimony also was Of
fered by other witnesses.
Although Rosetta johnson said her
infant was in her arms when Strange
struck ner, Alice Edwards, IL, colored,
testified the baby was in bed The Ed
wards girl also picked Handley as the
man who struck the blows, despite the
fact all the other witnesses had named
Strange. Virtually all the witnesses
agreed that the policeman, in striking
the children, told them to go home
and 60 to bed"
Inspector o. T. Davis testified he
questioned the officers following Thomas
complaint and they denied the charges.
Later, he said, Williams came to his
ONCE and told him Thomas and ether
residents Of Reeves court has induced
him to join them In framing" Strange,
but his conscience would not permit
him to go through with H.. Inspector
Davis then suggested that the charges
against the officers be dropped, he
added.
Sergt. John Langley, third precinct,
testified he went to the Thomas home
following a radio report that two on
GERS were being beaten there When
he arrived, he said. he found Thomas.
his wife and Rosetta johnson cursilg,
while the policemen stood by. saying
nothing. Thomas accused the oficers
Of being drunk, but Langley was unable
to detect any signs of intoxication, he
said.
Ofacers Held Efficient.
The officers explained, he said, that
they had gone TO the house in quest of
man for whom they had q warrant
The man in question, Il was brought
out In the testimony Of other witnesses.
lived nearby and was known to visit
the Thomss home frequently.
Five character witnesses, including
Capt, Harvey Sheetz. commander Of
second precinct police, testified both
Strange and Handley were courteous,
efficient officers.
The board also heard testimony in
the case Of Policeman Harry zepp,
charged with drinking while on duty.
Inspector Davis testified he found Zepp
doing a dance" near the entrance TO
the horse tent 1T the i0i Ranch Wild
West Show.
Took Badge and Gun.
Inspector Davis said he took the ON
GERS badge and gun away from him and
ordered his arrest.
Capt. William T. Holmes, first pre-
cinct commander, testified he ques-
toned Zepp q short time afterward and
the officer denied having anything TO
drink, explaining he had been shifting
snuff" The testimony of both Inspector
Davis and Capt. Holmes was eorrobo-
rated By 6ergt. John y. Thompson,
ninth precinct.
Teatikging In his own behalf, zepp
declared he accepted the snnff from one
Of the showTilen because he Is q catarrh
sufferer and he thought . few good
sneezess might help the condition. He
denied having had anything TO drink
other than . glass Of ice water earlier
In the day.
More than 700 pigeons belonging 10