Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-20
SUPERIOR { COURT
Sentences Imposed Late Yesterday
 Afternoon

Afternoon.
 The last case that came before Judge Thayer's consideration in the superior court yesterday was against colored man named Garrison Jerkins for as- sault with intent to kill his sister. Jerkins, it was shown. began to act very strangely in jail. so much so that the officials deemed it prudent to sug- gest q medical eXanlnation into his mental condition. = This was carried out, and it was determined the man was insane, and he was removed to the asylum in MiddletoWn. of late the superintendent of that institution has been corresponding with the assistant states attorney here to the effect that Jerlins is now sane. The point be- fore Judge Thayer yesterday was this: was Jerkins insane when he committed the assault upon his sister with intent to kill. If not. he surely ought to be tried: if he was, he certainly ought not to be detained a moment by the state officials, no matter in wnat form or ca pacity. Attorney Kellogg convinced the court that from what he had been told by the superintendent of the asy- lum that JerkinS was surely insane when he assault his sister. The matter was discussed for over fifteen minutes and was disposed of by the court telling MT Kellogg to nolle the case if he thought that was the proper course to pursue, after further investi- gation.
 Thomas Sheahan for burglary was sentenced To one and a half years in state prison.
 The four boys, John Downs, John EN,.;41 Hennessey. may attribute their diff culty with the law to dime novel read ing. II was shown that when they had committed the alleged burglary. though the court did not look upon it i'll that light. they had been digesting the contents of q dime uo+cl which de picted the -lories of q let of boys camping out. The court ditln't think they should hC held for burglary, and the boys sloi1ld not have pleaded gull ty of that crime. But this was OK plained by lie boys reSprcIivc counsel MeSSrs Lawlor. Durant, Meigs and Guilfoilo. and the following SrntrDceS were imposed: Hcnncssey and Brrf- nan. six months each for simple theft: Fritz one year in jail. and Downs. for burglary. one year and half in the state prison.
 Court resumed business at 10 o'clock this morning. Assistant State Attor- ncy Kellogg announced that the wit ness in the case against Dominic Rinal- ii being in the hands of the federal authorities he would have to continue the case for the present. Rinaldi is accused of shooting With intent to Kill {; man of the same name. This man Is in custody in New Haven awaiting eN- n. T., i. Sui 10 ll.rJ =, escaped from prison for killing Rinal- dis father.
 William O'Neill pleaded guilty to larceny. the charge of burglary being withdrawn. He was sentenced to one year and a half in the state prison. He stole a silk wedding dress valued at $3J. a silk skirt valued at SJ, number of spoons and other things from the residence of Elizabeth Badger on Jewelry street.
 Guiseppi D'EsUbio was sentenced to thiryt days in jail for indecent assault upon q little girl f years old. D'Esubio formed that if he pleaded guilty he would be given q light sentence. The court said it was q nasty case" one that could hardly be tried without dis agreeable features cropping up and as there was no actual physical harm done the child he would impose light sentence. He then sentenced the man to sixty days in jail. but changed the sentence afterwards to thirty days.
 The case against Charles Demo for burglary was continued by agreement of counsel. This is q Naugatuck case.
 The bonds in the cases Of John Var nelli a \auGatuck man. and John ScoZ- zafava were called. they failing to ap- pear in conrt. Both were charged with assault with intent to kill. In the first case tho bond was Sl.00O and in the other S20O. Peter Banby was bonds man for both.
 The case against Alphonso Calo for shooting to kill was continued. the comnlainant being out of the state.
 This disposed of all the cases and the jury was excused until next Tues day morning and court adjourned to tomorrow morning.