The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-27
ONE YEAR FOR CLERK HEDGES Killed Stewart While Smart ing Under April Fool
 Joke Wealthy Society Women Raised Fund for His
 Defense

Roland Hedges, the Sound Beach grocery clerk who killed James G Stewart of the same town by striking him on the head with wrench pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the criminal superior court this morning Judge Bennett sentenced him to tate's prison. for not more than five and not less than one year.
 Although struggling clerk with out a cent in the world, Hedges is very popular in Sound Beach and sur rounding towns and wealthy resi- dents rallied nobly to his aid. A fund large sum was turned over to Mrs Hedges to take care of herself and little boy while Hedges is in prison.
 In asking the court to impose a light sentence, Judge James F. Walsh of Greenwich said: "I have come into this case without any hope of pay Hedges has no influence and he hasn't any money but he has good reputa- tion and people who have known him for years. speak highly of him."
 Attorney Homer s. Cummings. also of counsel for Hedges, asked the court to impose jail sentence in order that the accused might not lose his citi- zenship rights. The court said it was not the effect upon the individual which must be so considered but the effect upon the community. A crime such as this must be punished in some way although the fact that Hedges also the previous good reputation ot the accused must be considered.
 Acting States Attorney Pullman ex- plained the facts of the case to the court. He said that on April l, last Hedges and Stewart worked in a as a joke was sent out tolget a wrench and when he returned he was very angry when told of the hoax. He tried to strike Stewart with pair of shears but was pulled away For half an hour afterwards Hedged walked around the store muttering to himself and as Stewart was bending over a barrel, Hedges exclaimed, I've got you now" and struck Stewart on the head with the wrench. It was not thought Stewart was seriously injured although he fell to the floor. Hedges jumped on his wagon and rode around his route. Stewart was carried up- stsaFs wheret he-dlsa a-e.s-,saaert tisae after 1t was found that his skull had been cracked At the point of con- tact, Stewards skull was thinner than That of the ordinary person.
 A number of prominent residents were introduced as witnesses to testify regarding Hedges good character. Among them were Mrs. John s. Mont gomery of Sound Beach, Rev. c. W. Boylston of St. Paups church, River side; Frank I. Palmer of Sound Beach, Mrs. Edith R. Gilyan of Sound Beach and Judge Charles E. Burnes of Greenwich. Letters praising the character of the accused were also read from two bank presidents, the chief of police in Greenwich and oth- CTS. There were about 30 fashion ably dressed women from the summer colony in Sound Beach present in the court room. Hedges had delivered groceries at their homes for years and they all liked him.
 Mrs. Hedges and the baby were in the court room and they appeared satisfied with the light sentence. The accused also appeared gratified. He showed evidences of the great nerv- ous strain he was under while the lawyers were addressing the ~court. The accused is "A years old and 1t is a strange fact that the day on which the crime was committed was his birthday. It is said that an effort will be made to have him released on parole after he has served a year.