POLICE SCANDALS

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1581, 26 October 1912, Page 5

POLICE SCANDALS

OFFICER GUILTY OF MURDER

By TcleeraDa-Prosa Association-CoDyrlclif (Rec. October.2s, 10.10 p.m.) New York, October 25. Lieutenant Becker, of the, New York police, has been found guilty of the murder of the gambler Rosenthal in the first degree. Tho prisoner was remanded for sentence. The case Ims excited enormous interest, owing to tho exposure it nu.de of grnft and incompetency among Cue New York police.

Herman Rosenthal, a notorious gambler, was murdered on. July It! outside a New York hotel, almost in the presence of police, and thirteen days later Charles Becker, lieutenant of police—a lioutenant of police there holds a position somewhat akin to a London inspector—was-arrcsted as instigator of the crime. It will be recalled that Rosenthal accused Becker of partnership in a. gambling house he was running, arad alleged that tho lieutenant had been "putting on the screw" to such an extent in demanding "tribute" that ho feared ruin would ov_*rtake the enterprise. Becker, who was head of tho police squad detailed to suppress gambling in New York, quarrelled with Rosenthal, find tho latter, probably desiring revenge, went to Mr. Whitman, Public Prosecutor of New York, and made n confession, supported by evidence, which has rocked New York's police system to its base, and awakened a demand throughout the country for nn inquiry into police conditions which shall be searching, and reforms which shall bo drastic and complete.