Hudson Observer/1921/Moynahan Tells Of Attack Made On Him By Gang

Moynahan Tells Of Attack Made On Him By Gang

---

Bentley Reserves Decision in Both Lynch and Bobrowski Cases.

---

More than a score of Jersey City policemen were arraigned yesterday afternoon before Commissioner John Bentley, on cbarges ranging from minor offenses to those which if convicted meant dismissal from the department. The case of Detective Paul Bobrowski, who is charged with stealing $39 and some silk shirts from the home of Andrew Cancalosi of 260 Newark avenue, was practically completed, but decision was not reached as the Commissioner desired to hear several more witnesses and stated he would continue the case on September 8. The trial of Patrolman Edward Lynch, who is charged with assaulting Patrolman Moynahan of the Seventh street station while the latter was breaking up a gang at Seventeenth and Grove streets, was postponed until Lynch's brother and another member of the gang, who are in the City Hospital suffering from bullet wounds will be able to testify. Lynch's case was one of the last to be called. Inspectors Cody and Murphy opened the case by testifying to being called out the night of the shooting. The latter testified how he summoned Police Surgeon Cohen and that the physician had pronounced Lynch drunk. Acting Captain William Hoffman of the Seventh street station said he had been called out the night of the fight and that the investigation had been practically completed when he arrived. Patrolman Moynahan told how last Saturday night a false alarm had been sent in and a store broken open on his post. After midnight, he said, he went back in plainclothes and while walking along Grove street, near Seventeenth street, he heard a gang cursing and swearing on a stoop near the corner and insulting girls that passed by. He walked over, he said, and told them to stop and to go home. They all seemed willing save Patrolman Lynch, who was also in plainclothes and off duty. He asked Moynahan if he was getting to be a "tough cop." Moynahan said he told him he was the same as the day he was appointed and Lynch struck him in the face, knocking him down. While he was down he said Lynch and other members of the gang kicked him in the face and ribs. He said he saw Lynch reach for his back pocket, saying at the same time, "I've a good mind to kill you." Moynahan then drew his gun and fired. Lynch pretended he was shot and staggered to the center of the street, crying, "You got me. I'm shot." Lynch's brother in the meantime ran into his house and came out with something in his hand. Patrolman Lynch was still pretending he was shot and the brother made a pass at Moynahan. The latter said he ducked and fired twice. Lynch's brother was shot and John Brown, of 647 Henderson street, who was on his way home from work and stopped to pick up Lynch, also fell with a bullet in his stomach and the former with a flesh wound in his shoulder. Lynch asked Moynahan several questions, which he answered very frankly. Sergeant Walter fecluch of the night squad testified to taking Moynahan's statement. Moynahan's face face is still badly scarred from the beating he received. Upon Lynch's request the case was postponed till next week. At the conclusion of the hearing Acting Inspector Murphy severely, arraigned Lynch for appearing at the trial without his uniform. In Bobrowski's case Mrs. Rose Cancalosi and her daughter, Mary, 16 years old, of 260 Newark avenue, testified that Detective Bobrowski had entered their home with several railroad detectives to search for stolen property and that Bobrowski had taken $39 from a wallet in a chiffonier. The girl and her mother were cross examined by Counsellor William George and admitted finding the money several weeks later in the chiffonier. Detective Bobrowski said he went to the house with the railroad detectives to search for stolen railroad property and while they were removing some of it he walked over to examine the chiffonier but one of the railroad detectives told him he had already searched it. He said at this time the girl was in the kitchen and the mother was not in the house. He said that. Andrew Cancalosi said to him as he was getting in the auto patrol, "I'll get you for this, Paulie." Bobrowski's testimony was backed by Patrolmen Teddy Metlanch and James Meehan, both of the City Hall station. At the conclusion of the hearing Commissioner Bentley said he would not give any decision until he had heard several other witnesses whose testimony he was anxious to hear. Patrolman Charles Richards of the Communipaw avenue station was convicted of using unnecessary violence in raiding a crap game and shooting one of the players in the leg. He pleaded guilty but said he had only fired his gun at the ground and that the bullet had deflected and struck the lad. He said he was sorry that the accident had happened. Commissioner Bentley ordered him suspended until September 1. The other patrolmen who were arraigned and convicted were Patrolmen James Connolly, Third Precinct, not properly patrolling, fined two furlough days and two days pay; Patrolman James Dickson, Fourth Precinct, not properly patrolling, sentence suspended: Patrolman Frank Dundon, Third Precinct, off post, case dismissed; Patrolman William English, Fourth Precinct, off post, fined three furlough days; Patrolman Thomas Foye, neglect of duty, case dismissed; Patrolman Wallace Glospie, Seventh Precinct, leaving post without just cause, sentence suspended; Patrolman Henry Graulich, Sixth Precinct, not properly patrolling, fined five days' pay and three furlough days; Patrolman James Mamill, Third Precinct, not properly patrolling, fined three days' pay and two furlough days; Patrolman James Langdon, Third Precinct, not properly patrolling, fined three days' pay and two furlough days; Patrolman James McCabe, Fourth Precinct, not properly patrolling, one furlough day; Patrolman Arthur Muller, Sixth Precinct, not properly patrolling, two furlough days; Patrolman Daniel Orr, Sixth Precinct, not properly patrolling, two furlough days; Patrolman George Petz, Third Precinct, off post, fined three furlough days; Patrolman Richard Quinn, Fourth Precinct, off post, one furlough day; Patrolman Harry Richards, First Precinct, not properly patrolling, fined ten days' pay and five furlough days; Patrolman Gustave Schau, Sixth Precinct, not properly patrolling, two furlough days; Patrolman David Titsworth, not properly patrolling, sentence suspended.