People ex rel. Finigan v. Purroy — 36 N.Y. St. Rep. 560

Majority

p. 560

The People ex rel. John J. Finigan v. Henry D. Purroy et al., Com’rs.

(Supreme Court, General Term, First Department,

Filed January 16, 1891.)

Headnote

Municipal corporations—Firemen—Dismissal.

Where a fireman of New York city is served with charges and specification against him and directed to report at headquarters the next morning, and upon doing so proceeds with the trial of such charges without objection and is given every opportunity to prove his innocence, he cannot afterward he heard to complain that he had not sufficient notice of trial.

Certiorari to review the dismissal of the relator from the office of fireman.

A. S. Warner, for relator; W. L. Findlay, for resp’ts.

The point raised upon the argument is that the relator was given no notice of the trial of the charges upon which the judgment was rendered and had no opportunity to properly defend himself.

It is alleged that he was served with the charges and specifications and directed to report at headquarters at ten o’clock the next morning. He did so report, and, without any objection upon his part the trial in respect to the charges and specifications was-proceeded with, evidence was taken and the accused offered an opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses; and he was told that they were ready to hear anything he had to say. The answer of the accused was that he had nothing to say, only that he was unable to report for duty, that he was sick all the time, and that was all he had to say. At the close of the trial he was informed that, the commissioners would consider his case, and, if he had nothing further to say, his case was ended. He was further informed that, if he had anything else to say the commissioners would hear him, and if not, his case was closed; and he was thereupon dismissed.

We think it is too late now to raise the objection that no formal notice of the trial was ever served upon him. Whatever might have been the value of the point had the objection been taken before the trial was proceeded with, the relator having gone on with the trial without objection and being afforded every opportunity to prove his innocence of the charge, cannot now be heard to complain that he had not sufficient notice of trial before the commissioners.

The claim in his affidavit upon his application for the writ that he did not know he was being tried for the offense was entirely disproved by the record.

The proceedings should, therefore, be affirmed, with costs.

Brady and Daniels, JJ., concur.