Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-04


 ie night of Dec. IA, was in the Third
 strict court Friday morning, the
 st time he was able to leave his
 ne in Liberty street since he was
 abbed by Samuel Royster. The hear
 4sg was held before Judge Williams
 Royster is charged with assaulting Collins with dangerous weapon The .;sectators' benches were filled when Solicitor Harry B. Agard representing the state and Judge John WI sweeney as counsel for accused.
 William Collins was the first witness and, owing to his feeble condition, was permitted to testify seated in 8 chair outside the witness stand Col Iins testified that he was twenty four years old and had known sam Royster for about two years. Witness Sald he was employed as bartender in Sal aueno's saloon in Pierce street, for five months previous to the night the assault was committed Royster had been tn the saloon since about three o'clock en the afternoon of Dec. IA. and witness had never had previous trouble with him. Ben Hunter, an other co+ored man and Royster drank toEether that evening. Hunter bought some drinks that amounted to thirty cents and gave dollar bill in pay ment and was given seventy cents in change. About ten minutes later Hun ter complained that he had not been gfven his change and a little later made declaration that Collins had stolen the change from him.
 Hunter went out of the saloon and witness followed him for the purpose eR bringing him back to the saloon to apologize. Collins said he jumped over the bar and chased Hunter into the street and was closely followed by running a short distance and witness was picking Hunter up when RoySter struck witness in the back with much force. Collins said he turned to Sam and told him not to strike again. He aid not know he was cut at the time and started with Hunter for the sa- lsea.
 Collins then felt the blood triciding eefn his back and realized that he had been stabbed by Royster in the back, lust below the left shoulder blade. Collins said he began to grow weak rapidly and sent for Dr. Scanlon and became unconscious, as he remembered nothing more until he was in bed at his home in Liberty street. The doc tor had visited him once or twice daily up to last Wednesday, when the bandage was removed from the wound; he had not been out of the house since the night of the stabbing until he came into court He testified positively that Royster struck him in the back where the wound was in- nfcted, but that he saw no knife.
 En response to queries from Judge Sweeney, Collins said he never had any previous trouble with Royster just before the assault. He saw Roy ster in the bar room and did not see him again until the blow was struck. Witness then turned and said: Sam, don't hit me again" Then two Italian fellows took hold of Sam and fol- lowed Hunter and witness back to the saloon. Collins said he saw no knife in Royster's hand and was positive that Hunter did not strike the blow. testified that he was called to the Sal ineno saloon on the night of Dec IA between 9.3o and 10 o'clock. He found Collins lying on the floor with a cut in his back from which the blood was still flowing and his clothing completely saturated Collins was in very weak condition. The wound was below the left shoulder blade and was about half an inch wide, but he did not ascertain the depth, though it was quite deep wound, made by a sharp instrument. probably 8 knife or dag ger. The witness dressed the wound and accompanied Collins to his home In Liberty street in an automobile. Collins has been very sick man, was very weak, had much pain and re- antred constant medical care. Collins vas in bed for over two weeks as the result of the wound, which was made by a sharp instrument, a knife or dagger. Collins clothing was sat- urafed with blood When the doctor went to the saloon Sam Royster and number of other men were there.
 Questioned by Judge Sweeney Dr. Scan1on said Collins was taken home from the saloon within half an hour. He received but one wound
 Frank Murato testified that he saw Sam Register strike Bill Collins. The witness testified that he was in the saloon when Ben Hunter and Collins had trouble over the change. Hunter ran from the saloon and Collins fol- lowed him After going a short dis tance Hunter fell and Collins was in the act of lifting Hunter to his feet when Ftoyster struck Collins in the back. Witness saw no knife at that lime, but when Royster raised his arm see a knife in Royster's uplifted hand. He took hold of Royster and assisted in bringing him back to the saloon Then Collins was lying on the pool table with cut in his back. No one but Sam Royster struck Bill Collins.
 In answer to questions of Judge Sweeney, Murato said that Hunter went out of the saloon first with Col lins close behind; then followed wit ness, Royster and others. On the run Royster passed witness and was the first to reach Hunter and Collins Just after Sam struck Bill, Murato saw a knife in San's hand. Witness grabbed Sam as he raised his hand as if to strike a second time and, with another fellow brought Royster back to the saloon.
 Nicola sopraiotz testified that he saw Sam strike Bill, but saw no knife Witness was outside the saloon when Hunter, Collins, Royster and seven or eight other men rushed out of the saloon. He saw Hunter fall and while Collins was picking him up, he saw Royster strike Collins in the back but saw no knife. He helped Murato to bring Royster back to the saloon.
 John Guinette said he saw Hunter fall and Collins grapple with him, and saw Sam Royster strike Collins in the back. but did not see any knife.
 Mrs. Antonio Saiimeno testified that she saw Sam Royster come out of the saloon with several other men, pre- ceded by Hunter and Collins. She saw Royster, knife sn hand, and went to him and told him to do nothing bad. She took hold of him first and then Murato and another man took hold of him. She did not see Sam strike Bfn, but Sam had knife in hand when she took hold of him.