Title

2145: The People of the State of New York v. Alfred Daly

Abstract

Three police officers, George Lennon, Matthew Dawson, and William Brady, all members of Special Squad 4, testify that they entered a saloon at 298 7th Avenue on two successive nights in June 1915. The officers, disguised as sailors, ordered drinks from the waiter, Alfred Daly, and inquired if he could introduce them to some women so that they, the officers, could have a good time.
On the second night, June 17, two women, Georgie Miller and Geraldine Taylor, both African American, invited the officers to go to an apartment in a neighboring building, telling them that a third woman, Annabelle, would shortly appear. Both women, after receiving three dollars each, offered to have sex with the men.
The officers arrested Miller and Taylor for prostitution and the following day, June 18, arrested the waiter, Al Daly, for keeping a disorderly house.
Both Georgie Miller and Geraldine Taylor testify for the defense. They deny having spoken to the men inside the saloon on June 17, saying that the men, dressed as sailors, had first spoken to them in the street outside. Miller says that she had had sex that night with one officer, Matthew Dawson, after receiving money from him and Taylor says that she had had sex with two of the officers.
The defense attorney, Fiorella LaGuardia, presents sixteen additional witnesses. Those witnesses who had been in the saloon on June 16 and June 17 deny seeing any women sitting or talking with the sailors and deny that there had been any lewd or obscene behavior. Other witnesses, including Albert Capone, the elder brother of Alphonse (Al) Capone, deny having seen any indecent behavior; deny that prostitutes frequented the premises; claim that the owner of the saloon, James Bello, is a reputable businessman; and state that the defendant, Al Daly, always discourages any inappropriate behavior when he is working in the saloon.
The jury, after deliberating for little more than an hour, finds the defendant guilty on the second count of the indictment – keeping a place for the encouragement and practice of lewdness, fornication and other indecent practices – but recommends him to the leniency of the Court.

Type of Crime

Keeping a disorderly house See all items with this value

Date of Crime

1915-06-16

Date of Hearing

1915-01-12

Verdict

Guilty See all items with this value

Defendant(s) Name(s)

Alfred Daly

Prosecuting Attorney

John M. Minton

Defense Attorney

Fiorella La Guardia

Judge

Otto A. Rosalsky See all items with this value

Case ID

2145

Location of Crime

298 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan, New York

Item sets

Keeping a disorderly house

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