Norwich bulletin., 1909-09-09

the case of John Devlin of Williman- tic, charged with the theft of horse. was commenced. Attorney s. H. Har- vey appeared for Devlin. The charge was that on Maye10. 1909, Devlin, In company with John Crowley, who was at the time. had hired a horse of Dana E. Martin. Bank street livcryman, for the purpose of driving around the city for a few hours.
 Livsryman's Tsstinony.
 Mir. Martin, the first witness to tes- tify. told of renting the horse to the two men at about noon. About three o'clock that afternoon. Crowley re- turned 10 the stable alone and offered to pay the charges, saying that while he was in house at the Oaks Devlin had driven away and that he could not locate him.
 Crowley underwent a long examina- ton at the hands of Attorney Harvey. who caused the witness to describe in detail how he and Devlin had passed the morning. Crowley told of drink ing with Devlin in saloons and of their finally agreeing to hire the team to drive about the city selling medi- cine. They were to share the expense of renting the team.
 The stats's Witnesses.
 Lathrop F. Weaver of Windham, Benjamin Kennedy of Danielson, Ofi- cer P J. Kelley of the Providence po- lice. Captain Richmond of the Willi- mantle police and Jacob Katz were witnesses used by the state to estab- fish the fact that Devlin had driven the team from Willimantic 10 Daniel son and from there to Providence and to further establish that he had tried to sell the horse to -Katz. who is q junk dealer in the latter city.
 Their evidence made out an appar- ently strong ease against Devlin.
 The Prisoner on the Stand.
 Devlin took the stand with consid- erable bravado and under the gentle handling of his attorney set out to impress the court and jury that he had been very much intoxicated when he drove away with the horse; that he did not know where he was going or what he was doing and that he never had an- intention of stealing or sell ing the rig; he was intending to come back to Willimantic when arrested.
 Under the rapid-fire questioning oi States Attorney Ssarls, Devlin did not make such a good showing. He hesitated, repeated the questions oi the attorney and seemed upset and n at ease, and especially so when Mir Searls asked him about his record ir the city court of Norwich. giving hin the dates of the times when he was before that court on charges of in- toxication. breach of the peace and driving away a horse without the per mission of the owner.
 These facts seemed to particularly perturb the prisoner. who suffered from remarkable lapses and recovery of memory as the questions seemed t' warrant.
 The apparent plan of the defence ts make it appear that Devlin's actions while the horse was in his possession was due to his intoxicated condition and that there was no intent to stea the horse, looked a little awry wher MT Searls had finished with the pris' oner.
 Adjournment Taken. The case was not completed Wed nesday and the trial was discontinued for the day, after the opening argu' ment for the state had been made. The case will go to the jury earl, today (Thursday) to which time cour was adjourned.
 Devlin Lived in Taftville. Devlin is A years old and has livet most of his life in Taftville. where hi. mother now resides. He has worked in Versailles and went to Willimanti' with his wife and child about fiv' months before his arrest.