Evening star., 1936-04-07
CHARGES AGAINST
DETECTIVE HEARD
BY TRIAL BOARD
Case of AIIigood, Accused
of Threatening Superior,
Is Under Amusement.
INSPECTOR TESTIFIES
OFFICER DREW WEAPON
Attorneys for Defense Claim
Client Suffering From
Brain Ailment.

Detective Sergt. Frank M. Alligood,
noted for his ability to recover stolen
automobiles, went before the Police
Trial Board today in connection with
charges that he had drawn his service
revolver on Inspector Bernard w.
Thompson, chief of detectives.
After hearing testimony for an hour
and a half the board took the case
under advisement shortly after noon.
The incident occurred the night
of March near the Willard Hotel,
Inspector Thompson told the board,
while Alligood was assigned to a
detail guarding President Roosevelt
during his attendance at the White
House correspondents banquet.
Attorneys defending Alligood offered
testimony by member of the Board
of Police Surgeons. DR.. John A. Reed,
to the effect that Alligood had long
medical history and was suffering
from some undetermined internal
pressure on the brain"
Hurt While on Duty.
Alligood had been beaten, shot and
stabbed during his career by persons
he was placing under arrest. DR..
Reed declared he was convinced Alli-
goods actions on March were the
direct result Of his brain injury.
DR.. Reed testified that two or three
years ago Alligood was sent to a spe-
ciahst in Baltimore and tested for
tumor on the brain. The physician
said part Of this test consisted of in
Jecting air into the brain from a point
near the spinal column. He said this
test sometimes had inf1ammatory re-
suits
Although Thompson told the board
he found an almost emptied bottle of
whisky in Alligood's coat pocket, DR..
Reed examined the detective the same
night for intoxication and declared he
found no evidence that Alligood had
been drinking.
Saw Woman in Car.
Thompson testified he saw a woman
sitting in the police car assigned to
Alligood near the F street entrance
to the Willard Hotel. Thompson said
he asked Alligood the reason for this
apparent violation of police regula-
tions. Neither Alligood nor the woman
would answer his question, the inspec-
tor said. and Alligood drew his service
revolver.
"Alligood showed the gun into nv
stomach" Thompson testified, "and
said, twell, you've got me-"
The inspector told the board he
wrenehed the gun from Alligood,s S
hand and threw him to the sidewalk.
The woman was sent to headquarters,
and Thompson accompanied Alligood
there, finding the bottle en- route he
said.
Detected Odor of Whisky.
Thompson declared he smelled
whisky on Alligood's breath. Under
questioning by defense attorneys, he
said he knew no reason why Alligood
might wish to harm him and that
Alligood himself had. said, Inspector,
I don't know why I would wish to
hurt you.'
DR.. Reed declared the brain condi-
tion Alligood appears to be suffering
from could cause him to stagger and
upset his emotional balance.
The Board of Surgeons knew fo-
some time that Alligood was definitely
an Ill man." DR.. Reed told the Police
Board, but we knew also he was much
needed by the department for his
ability to recover stolen automobiles.
Except for this service we might have
sent him before the Retirement Board
We felt, however, he could perform his
special detective work when he would
nave been unable, physically, to do
ordinary police routine jobs"
Attorneys for Alligood will ask the
board to recommend him for retire.
ment.