Morning journal and courier., 1884-10-10
THE COURT RECORD.
Superior Court-CriminaI Side-Juds


Superior COurt-CriminaI Sfde-Judge
StOddard.
This court opened yesterday morning
promptly at 10 O'Clock.
The information against John Murphy for
a violation Of the liquor law was read. The
case was nolled by advice of State Attorney
Doolittle.
Thomas Cashion, of Meriden, charged with
breaking into the dwelling house of Betsy
Todd, of Cheshire, on August 81, changed
his plea to guilty. Attorney Pickett, his
counsel, asked the leniency of the court, lay
ing the crime to drink. Mrs. Cashion, his
wife, came into court and tearfully pleaded
with Judge Stoddard for mercy. She said:
GIVE got nobody for support but him and
what I shall do without him do not know.
1 have little baby about year old and don't
know how I can get along. I ask that you
be as lenient with him as you can for my
sake and for the sake of his little babe. It
was drink that caused the trouble, and when
sober he was good husband and provided
for his family. Judge Stoddard, under the
circumstances, said he was inclined to be
lenient and with a few words of caution gave
the prisoner sentence of three months in
the county jail.
J. Fethergill, charged with an assault upon
Cyrus Merritt with intent to kill at Orange,
September s, pleaded not guilty, and Attor-
ney Blydenburgh was assigned counsel.
Lawrence Holton, a youth of fifteen,
changed his plea to guilty. He is charged
with burglary at the store of Peter NJ. Burke
&c L.
jail for one year, although his counsel, At
torney Pigott, pleaded that he be sent to the
Reform school on account of his youth. This
was opposed by State Attorney Doolittle
Judge Stoddard in passing sentence said he
was satisfied that such boy in the Reform
school would work great deal of harm tc
other youths. The only question was wheth-
er he should send him to State prison or the
jail Although but fifteen years old he was
physically much older, and as to his mental
condition he would probably never make
much further advancement.
The jury were then impaneled and the
trial of William Fl. Smith, charged with cru
city to the horse of Frank E. Benham, of
Waterbury, at Cheshire on July 4, was be-
gun. The accused pleaded not guilty and
was defended by Lawyer Blydenburgh. On
the crosse examination of the first witness for
the State Judge Stoddard requested Mr.. Bly,
denburgh to follow tie new custom and rise
while examining the witness. After begging
pardon for the oversight. the lawyer inquired
if the State attorney was not also required to
conform to the new rule.
E'He is, but have been excused, +" said Mr..
Doolittle. 81 am old and feeble and have to
stay here all the time for month, and SO
his honor has given me the privilege of re-
naming seated"
Judge Stoddard laughingly said that he
had excused the State attorney on the
ground of physical disability, and if the at
torney for the accused felt as if he was I'M
equal to the task little leniency might be
shown him. Mr.. Blydenburgh declined the
offer and conducted his examination stand
ing. AS witnesses for the defense were not
present the case went over until to-day.
The case against Nelson Ellis and William
Pendleton, charged with an assault with in
tent to ravish Pauline Silliman, at Branford,
on July Both, was then taken up. The ac-
cused were defended by Lawyer W. A.
Wright. The assaulted party is a colored
domestic employed at the Montowese House
at Indian Neck, and is the daughter Of F'Pro-
fessor' Hannibal Silliman, the candy peddler
of this city The woman testified that she
hired a hack at the depot of Pendleton to
take her to the hotel. The hackman put FL
lis into the carriage with her and on the way
to the hotel Ellis assaulted her.
The arguments in the case were not con-
cluded and the court adjourned until this
morning at 10 O'Clock.