Evening star., 1947-07-24
Suspended Policeman
Tells Trial Board
|0f Row With Student

One of two policemen facing a
trial board as result OF the COM
plant of a Georgetown University
student took the witness stand today
to declare he had arrested the youth
a second time because the student
cursed and threatened the officer.
James A. Stewart, jr.. IS, the sus-
pended 7th precinct policeman, said
the student, Daniel J. Fitzpatrick
%. shook his fist at him and shouted
I'm going to get you now" when
Stewart encountered him at Wis
consin avenue and N street NV
early June 4.
Previously, on May 80, Stewart
had arrested Mr.. Fitzpatrick, who
was charged with drunkenness and
disorderly conduct. Mr.. Fitzpatrick
was acquitted on the former charge
and fined IS on the latter, on which
conviction he has an appeal pending
Says He Struggled With Student.
Stewart told the trial board he
was of duty and driving in his own
automobile with Warren l.. Garrett
90, the other officer on trial, when
they saw two men standing on the
corner at Wisconsin and N.
After a man he said he recog-
nized as Mr.. Fitzpatrick cursed him
and made the threat, Stewart testi-
fed he pulled to the curb, stepped
out<of his car and placed his hand
on Mr.. Fitzpatrick, telling him he
was under arrest.
HE struck at me several times, y
Stewart declared. During the strug-
gle we fell to the ground.
Taking notice of Mr.. Fitzpatrick Ks
charge that Stewart struck him with
blackjack, the policeman leaned
toward Inspector Clement P. Cox,
chairman of the board, and said:
I'D alike to state now that don't
carry a gun and I don't carry a
blackjack when I'm off duty"
Denies Drinking in Tavern.
Stewart said the two policemen
were going fishing when they en-
countered Mr.. Fitzpatrick. After
the arrest, which resulted in Mr.
Fitzpatrick being taken to the pre-
cinct station, Stewart said the two
went to Little Tavern Shop in the
$500 block of M street NV. He de-
MED he took drink from liquor
bottle in that establishment as hao
been testified by a former employe
of the place. He charged employees
of the shop had not co-operated
with police in keeping order
there and in keeping teenage girls
of the premises at late hours.
There could be a fight right ir
there and they wouldn't see 9
ching" Stewart commented.
Stewart said his only remark tt
Garrett about the Fitzpatrick in.
cident was to the effect that "tha
fellow said he was going to get m.
the first time I wasn't hiding be.
hind q badge"
Charges Are Listed.
The policemen are charged witt
conduct unbecoming an ofiicer, ne.
glect of duty and making a falst
statement to a superior. In addition
Stewart is accused of willfully mis-.
treating and using unnecessary VIC.
lence toward a prisoner (Fitz.
patrick.
The board announced a fifth
charge against Stewart, that O.
drinking while off duty and in uni
form, had been dropped The incl
dent on which the charge originally
was based was reinstated as an addi
tional specification under the charg'
Of conduct unbecoming an odicer.
In concluding his direct testimony
Stewart denied his guilt of any o
the charges when asked about eacf
one in turn by his attorney. :
Capt. Walter T. Storm and AS
sistant Corporation Counsel Olive
! Gasch are serving with Inspectol
Cox on the trial board.