Evening star., 1950-07-07
DC. Policeman
Fined. $3.50 in
Hyattsvi||eCouri
Judge Censures
Him Severely in
Assault Case

fined $3.50 in Hyattsville Police
Court. yesterday for assault and
battery on a neighbor at Green
belt. Md.
A police department ban against
his carrying his service revolver
into the suburban Maryland COM |
munity will remain in effect until
the policeman appeals his con-
viction.
Pvt. William J.. Zerwick, 81. of
the Missing Persons and Investi-
cations Squad, was given a severe
tongue lashing by Trial Magis-
trate Alan Bowie, who told him,
"Your brass buttons give you
policemen no more rights than
any one else outside your own
Jurisdiction"
The ''brass buttons" reference
was aigurative; Pvt. Zerwick is a
plainclothesman.
Neighbor Is Cleared.
The policeman. who lives at
13-L Ridge road, was charged with
striking Samuel Gottesman in an
argument over Pvt. Zerwick's 4
year-old son Terry on June "a.
Mr.. Gottesman, who swore out the
warrant. was found not guilty of
an assault and battery charge
sworn out by Pvt. Zerwick.
you had no right to strike
that man." Judge Bowie said
sternly. "You have been a police
man for eight and a half years
and you should know that the law
Is the place to go to get a remedy.
"I'm going to disabuse you of
the idea that you have more au-
thority than any one else here.
You Washington police have no
more authority than any other
citizen here in Prince Georges
County"
d. C. Officer Watches.
Sitting in the courtroom as an
observer for the Metropolitan Po-
lice Department was 1t. Harry c..
Blackman, head of the Missing
Persons and Investigations Squad.
Later he said he did not know If
Washington police would take any
action after he submits his report
on the case.
The Office of Maj. Robert j.
Barrett, superintendent of police,
indicated, however, that its order
prohibiting Pvt. Zerwick from
carrying his gun home probably
will remain in effect pending out
come of the appeal to Prince
Georges County Circuit Court.
Bond for the appeal was set at
$500. Pvt. Zerwick is represented
by Attorney Ignatius j. Keane.
Says Policeman Beat Him.
Mr.. Gottesman, a Government
economist of 1876 Ridge road,
testified Pvt. berwick came to see
him because of a dispute involving
their children. He quoted Pvt.
berwick as asserting: ''I don't like
your attitude" and added the
policeman flashed out with his
fsts, threw me over a chair and
beat me over the head. That's all
! remember"
DIR. Hans Wodak, Greenbelt
physician, testified that Mr..
Gottesman was knocked uncon-
SciouS and that he also suffered
bruised ribs and laceration over
his left eyebrow.
Pvt. berwick admitted hitting
Mr.. Gottesman three times, "once
in the eye and then two body
blows" He accused Mr.. Gottes-
man Of waving his hands and
thought maybe he was going to
hit me-"
Wife Gives Testimony.
The assault charge against Mr..
Gottesn1an was brought about by
m earlier incident, which led to
the argument. The policeman's
wife, Mrs. Lois berwick. deaf
mute, testified, with the assistance
OF her husband, that Mr.. Gottes-
man grabbed their son under his
arm following a fight between the
child and MIR. Gottesman's boy,
Daniel, 8. She said she gestured
to Mr.. Gottesman to put him down
and said the boy bore bruises on
his body.
Pvt. berwick said he went to MIR.
eottesman's house to "see why he
had treated the boy in that fash
1on."