Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-01-11
Sentences Imposed By Judge Wheeler
All Four Norwich Young Men Sent to State Prison. Cranda
Getting Longest Term-Decker Goes to Reform School
-Russko Found Guity-Eldred and Mcsheehy on Trial
Bench Warrant For Ira Lewis.

Much was done In the criminal SUI
perior court here on Wednesday, when
five sentences were imposed by Judge
Wheeler, a boy sent to the Reform
school, a verdict of guilty brought in
in the case against Russko, and the
trial of Eldred and McSheehy started,
charged with breaking into Macpher-
sons Toggery shop and stealing furs
valued at s215.
The big surprise of the day was
when Ira T. Lewis of Jewett City was
brought in, charged with trying to
persuade Juror Odgers of East Lyme
to prevent the jury in the famous Knoll
reward case from agreeing. He was
presented on a bench warrant and
pleaded not guilty, and was released
under $1,000 bail
Local Four Presented.
AT the opening of the court We'd
nesday morning the jury was sent out
to resume their deliberations in the
case of state VS.. Russko. Directly
thereafter State Attorney Hull moved
for sentence in the cases against James
]. Donahue, II, Arthur c. Larsen, 16,
Dondero Enonrigo, % and Charles H.
ed guilty to burglary, and Crandall had
been found guilty of burglary and rob-
berry. in connection with the raid by
the young men on the Rathbun place,
in North Stonington, Dec. IS, in an
effort to secure $500.
Attorney Edmund Perkins spoke for
Crandall, stating that he had no part
in the affair, the others having fallen
in with his plans without coercion. In
order not to make hom devoid Of hope
but give him a chance for reforma-
ton, he asked for a light sentence.
For Enonrigo Attorney Douglass ap-
peared, and referred to the fact that
he had been here for seven of the ten
years he had been in the country. The
accused regrets his part in the affair
and was the first to withdraw and was
the last one dragged into the affair
He understood from the gravity of the
complaint that there must be d prison
sentence. He called John McWilliamS
TO testify for the accused, and Mr.. Nc
Williams said he was a skilful, faithful,
workman, and it was with great sur
prise that he learned that he had TAX
en- part in the affair. Attorney Des-
mond said he had often sent money tC
his father in Italy
For the Donohue and Larsen boys
Attorney Desmond made a heartfelt
plea, declaring that was spirit Of ad-
venture which caused them to be con-
cerned in the affair. He referred t
their good homes and the fact thai
they are but II and Is. He referred
to the pain caused the families by the
trouble, and urged that it be not pris.
on to which they would be sent.
State Attorney Hull pointed to the
fact that many boys appear in tbs
| prisoners pen this session, and this hi
considered a reflection on society. H,
claimed that there had been talk of al
alibi for the bows by a keeper Of {
disheputable house. For allowing sucl
holes of iniquity to exist he indicted
the city of Norwich. He asserted tina
he would not be doing his duty if h,
did not call attention to such place!
where young men are ruined. He de
clared that the public must be protect
ed, and that the accused being referred
| to as boys would hardly have gone 81
years ago. In those days our schoo
teachers and even ship captains Wer,
only from JIG to 20 years of age. II,
considered Crandall the moving spiri
with Enonrigo deserving the least pun
| ishment, as he first told of the affair
He commended the authorities on tn
prompt manner in which they acted
Judge Wheeler sentenced Crandall OF
| the first count to two years in stat
| prison. AT the conclusion of that, Oh
| the third count he sentenced him T.
not less than four nor more than fiv
| years there.
| Donahue and Larsen We're given no
| less than two nor more than four an,
| a half years each, and Enonrigo wa
| given not less than one nor more thai
| three years in state prison.
Judge Wheeler declared that the ide
! OF reformation is had in giving a sen
| tence. AS the people must be protect
| ed, the sentence hould fit the crime
| and he considered Crandan the mos
/ guilty and Enonrigo the least. H
I talked to the young men in a name
! which they should need. He advsise
/ them to pass as much time as pOssiibl
| in reading, to have honest though
! and they would be helped to win bac
! the respect which they had lost.
They took their sentences philosoph
ically. CrandalPs mother cried as sen
tence was pronounced, and later En-
| Onrigo shed a few tears in talkin