The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-06-19
Judge COughlln Continues Case After IntGTTOgating the
 Prosecutor
DELANEY SCORES LOCAL PHYSICIAN
Afr. LeVeTty Accounts Troubles Pharmaceutical Commission
 Is EnCOuntGrlRg

The first prosecution attempted in the state of Connecticut under the new Cocaine and Morphine Derivatives law was brought before Judge Thomas c. Coughlin in the city court this morn ing when James w. Nagle, 50 Arch street. New Haven, but 21 years of age, was arraigneG and charged with having 25 grains of cocaine in his possession.
 Backed by the evidence secured oy John A. Leverty, of the State Pharnla- ceuticaI Commission and a confession cd the quantity alleged, it was asked that a conviction be made under sec ton of the laws of 1918, which pro- hfbits any person not a licensed drug gfst, dentist, jobber or manufacturer, from having more than 4 grains in his possession at one time. e . Judge Cough1in refused to accept tf1e confession unaccOmpanfed by further evidence and the case was postponed until Druggist Carl O. Cyrus could be brought into court. MT. Cyrus testi- fled that he had twice refused to sell Negle but that upon a bona-fide pre- scription signed by pr. sW. H. Bun nell, of Stratford avenue, he had final " consented Nagleg was arrested by Detective Sergeant Peter Hall and Doorman James Halpin as he was leaving the drug store
 A copy of the new law was handed to Judge Coughlin for his inspection by Prosecutor Delaney. The judge asked if it had become effective and was assured that it had. He then asked the prosecutor if it were known definitely that the governor had affix- ed his signature and he was so as sured- Saying he must be personally convinced of the passing of the law before rendering decision he continued the case until Saturday. June 2. that official notification might be secured from the office of the Secretary of State. Bonds for the release of Nlgle were set at $500.
 In presenting his case to the court Prosecutor Delaney, said that NagIa had come from New Haven. and had made futile attempts to purchase her oin-
 As it was now as easy to procure cocaine he had gone to Dr. BunIel1 and secured a prescription for 25 grains which being bona-fide MT. Cy- rus had filled after investigation.
 Scoring Dr. Bunnell for his practice of selling prescriptions to anyone who applied at S1 each the prosecutor said it was just such physicians as these who made the practice and continu- ance of the cocaine habit so easy for it's victims. The legislature, he said, had passed this stringent law which fixed a maximum penalty of $500 fine or one year imprisonment, or both, and it was hoped that a sufficient sen- tence would be imposed to deter fur ther purchases or sales.
 The prisoner admitting his age q, said that he had first become ad- dicted to the heroine habit some three years ago but that he was attempting to break from it and was now taking cocaine which he felt was less harm ful. He used 25 grains every ten days He denied that he purchased the drug to redistribute it.
 John A Ieverty when seen by a reporter for the Farmer after court said that under the new law it was impossible to convict physicians will sug to sell their prescriptions for the drug. that clause having been elirnin- ated from the act. He said that evil dence in his possession indicated that Dr. Bunnell had already issued be- tween g and 40 similar prescrip ptions and he would attempt to secure some action upon the part of the Medical society to prevent such practices. While by law pharmacists are permit ted to fill such prescriptions, many in Bridgeport today were refusing to do so but that many could be found who would He intimated that MT Cyrus had been given advance warning of the coming of Nagle and had been in structed to fill the prescription if of 6ered-
 --There are today in Bridgeport" continued the State Pharmaceutical official probably 800 confirmed users Of the drug scattered in all classes of society and unless we can put a curb xo its sale they will increase. I know one pathetic case where one man get ing but $15 per week salary spends s1O weekly for the stimulant- I would 1 like 1t understood that MT. Cyrus Is a | reputable druggist and no suspicion whatsoever attaches by us to this l gale"