Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-06-08
FOUND NOT GUILTY.
Attorney Kennedy Makes an Eioqusn'
 Plea in Behalf os John O'Brien.


 Attorney Kennedy Makes an Eioqusnt
 Plea in Behalf os John o'Brien.
 The decision which the jury arrived at in the case of the state against the 17 year old boy, John O'Brien, has created more favorable comment than any court decision in years The details of the case have been fully described in these columns be- fore. wayward sister was taken from the ranks of the Salvation Army by younger brother. while in the parade, re sulting in an assault by members of the army on the boy and the subsequent ar rest of the boy and his conviction in the lower court. At that trial only the boys evidence was heard, but yesterday many witnesses who had seen the affair testified in the boys behalf. Too much credit can not be given to Attorney Kennedy of Nau- gatuck for the result of yesterdays decis- ion. E. l.. Maloney. who was appointed guardian of the accused in the lower court, and who assisted in collecting the evidence for yesterdays trial, could not himself go before the jury in behalf of the boy. At torneys of Waterbury were busy or out of the city. At the last moment Attorney Kennedy of Naugatuck was communicated with, When he heard the circumstances of the case, and knowing that he had no remuneration to expect, he came up and took the case in hand. His plea to the jury was masterly stroke of elo- quence. Perhaps it was emotional but it wasfilled with cold. hard facts of reliable witnesses. His eloquence has not been equalled before jury in this city and he was congratulated on all sides. The wit nesses of the prosecution he scourged un- mercifuliy. Jacques, the prize fighter with police record: Daisy McNie. also with a police record; Josie O'Brien, the complainant, who presented about as tough a character on the witness stand as was seen in some time: Special Officer Travel, who was afraid to arrest the boy; McNie, who was so afraid to testify that he was pitied by Attorney Kennedy, all these come in for a touch of the attorneys out ting eloquence. Their shortcomings were laid bare before the jury and they stood revealed in their true light. The atttor- ney's denunciation of their alleged chris tian charity in trying to railroad a boy to jail cut them deeply. but pleased the spec tators, who time and again were warned by Judge Bradstreet that he would clear the room. Captain Yorke, who had seen fit to cast once and awhile sneering smile at Attorney Kennedy, was unmercitully scored. The jury were out just thirty minutes and when the foreman announced the verdict not guilty, the spectators could be withheld no longer. They broke out into tumultuous applause that has never been heard before in a Waterbury court.
 The casc of Joseph Pequignot, charged with non-support, was before the jury day. In the police court a short time ago Peguienot was sentenced to New Ha ven jail for sixty days. An appeal was taken, he furnishing bonds of $200 to the town to support his wife and $1oO to ap- peal the case to this court. To-day the same evidence, with little more sensa- tional matter as to Peguinnot's life, was introduced. The couple have not been living together far three years. Mrs Pe- quiSnot sued for divorce but was defeated He is now suing for divorce. She is al most an invalid and offered herself back to him several weeks ago, but was refused. Attorney Wood appeared for the ac- cused and Attorney Lowe assisted Attorney Kellogg in the prosecution.