The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-15
YEGGMAN SUSPECT PLEADS
 CASE IN FAIRFIELD COURT
Proves a Clever. Cross ss-Exanainer-Up- held By the Court in Several Legal
 P0fnts-St. James Lawn Fete.
CBy Our Special correspondent.)


 Fairfield, July 16.-John Gray, alias John O'ConneIl, bound over to the Su- perior court yesterday by Justice of the Peace Bacon. Wakeman under bonds of $2.50O for breaking into the store of c. A. Wyrtzen on Jan. Is of this year, is about the slickest propo- st1on ever to appear in the local courts He knew the court game thoroughly, so much so that he was his own counsel, questioning closely those who appeared as witnesses against him. When Grand Juror King asked the court that the accused be bound over giving reasons why he made the request, Gray suggested to the court that there was no evidence presented to show that he was in Fairfield at the time of the safe blow ing and that what evidence had been presented was done so because of a motive. Gray was about to explain to Justice WakeTnan what that motive was when tho court suggested that what he said then would be used against him in his trial later. He needed the advice and had no more to say.
 Handcuffed to William McGarry, who assisted Sheriff Elwood, Gray was brought from the county ail yesterday about noon. When the indictment charging him with breaking into the store of MT Wyrtzen and blowing the safe was read he entered a plea of not guilty.
 Mr. Wyrtzen was the first witness called. He declared that on the day preceding the safe blowing his store had been locked securely The first he knew of the robbery was when E. W. s. Pickett came to his home with the information early that morn. ing He told the court that the. rear door of the store was forced and that the door of the outer compartment of the safe was blown off. The inner compartment was intact but the door was somewhat forced in.
 When MT. Wyrtzen had concluded his testimony Gray. asked him if he had ever seen him before. The wit ness declared that he had not
 George F. McGann, a member of the New York police detective depart ment was the next witness He stat ed that it was June Is that Gray told him of a safe cracking job he and others had pulled off in Rridgefield. At the same time he told of being fir ed upon after blowing a safe in Fair field. Detective Fitzpatrick was with McGann at the time, according to the latter, when Gray told the story.
 Did I make these statements vol untarily," asked Gray of witness Me Gan. The latter smiled and said, "You did''
 Detective John Fitzpatrick, the next witness, gave the same testimony as Detective McGann. He explained to the court that 1t was in the Jefferson Market court before Judge Swann his connections with the blowing of safe in Fairfield. With him at the time were John Gray, one Herrick and one Goodwin. It was at this juncture of the testimony that Gray showed his Knowledge of court procedure. Your
 
 clared Gray, tthis witness is explain ing to the court something that was said when was not present, it should not be allowed to go in as evil dence." The court explained to De- tective Fitzpatrick that the argument advanced by Gray was also the opir1- ion of the court The witness then stated that in conversation with Gray, the latter told him of being with Truax at the time of the blowing of the safe in Fairfield and also that they were fired upon but that they did not return the fire.
 With the conclusion of the testi- mony, Grand Juror Clitus King stat- ed to the court that he considered the evidence of the detectives was ample to bind the accused over for jury trial. Pleading for his release, Gray said, T don't think any real evil dence has been presented to the court. A man of ordinary intelligence will not make statements that will merlin mate himself. II certainly did not make these statements to the two de- tectives I hope later on to show a motive through other people why they make these accusations against me. About seven years ago Deputy Police Commissioner- He was cut short in his remarks by Justice Wakeman who advised him that any statements he might make would probably be us ed against him in his trial. '9 appre- ciate that advice your honor," he said, However I desire to make known to the court that I did not make any statement to these men, In com menting on Grand Juror Kings sug- gestion to the court that he be bound over, Gray said: -1 always thought it was necessary to prove a man in a There certainly has not been any tes- tinnony offered here to show that I have ever been in Fairfe1d-''
 As Gray is already under bonds of $5,000 for a safe cracking job which was turned off during the winter in Ridgefeld, his bonds were made $2,- 500 instead of $5,o00.
 The parishioners of St. Thomas church are arranging for a, lawn party to be held on Wednesday and Thurs day evening July 30 and 31 on the l the call of the pastor. Rev. William J. Blake many of the parishioners met and selected committees for the affair. | Another meeting will be held to-mor- row. At the gathering Sunday even ing, Edward Flanagan acted as l chairman and Edward Phe1an as sec The committees appointed | include, printing and advertising, Will | liam Flanagan, John Lynch, Thomas Carroll and Frank Smith; decorations | John E. Boyle, Miss Julia Francis and ! Miss Nellie McGarry; music, John Col lins, John B. Boyle and William Fall | lon; tickets, Thomas Henry, John KeI- ly and John Skelly; tables, Jchn | Lynch, and Mrs. Henry Moore; booths, | ice cream, Misses Florence Smith, An |