 He was released in November 1893 and returned to the Bowery where, two months later, he was charged with the robbery of an ex-police officer, 65-year-old James McGill, on the evening of January 9, 1894.McGill claimed that he had met Farrell and was invited to share a drink with him.McGill agreed but recalled losing consciousness after two drinks and awoke the next morning in a jail cell at the Eldridge Street Police Station.