Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-08
CHANGED THEIR PLEAS
 BEFORE SUPERIOR COURT
Sentences Then Imposed for Several
 Prisoners by Judge Case.

In the criminal superior court at New London Wednesday some of the accused, who pleaded not guilty Tues day, changed their pleas and plead ing guilty were sentenced by Judge Case.
 When court came in the jury was summoned in. Of the jurors drawn for this term Robert g. Gardner has removed from this city to Boston; Charles l.. Holmes is deceased, SiIas l.. Maxson, Jr., was excused Thomas w. Avery of Groton was excused, 8 physicians certificate was filed with 1 the clerk to prove Warren Burnett of Groton incapable of court attendance Pelig l. Siocum of Stonington was ex- cused George H. Babcock of Ledyard is deceased, Edward Peck of Water ford has removed from the county, Lewis O Gates of Lyme was excused, this leaving but 15 jurors for the term as follows;
 New London-Thomas F. Cannon. Groton-Jason L. Randall.
 Stonington-John H. Tanner. Will liam A. Wilcox.
 Montville-Henry Rathbone. Charles E, Ramage. Henry G, Jerome.
 Ledyard-John W, Finnegan.
 Waterford-James W. Tourgee, John Jsv Cruttenden.
 
 East Lyme-Charies J, Manwaring, James R. White.
 Old -Lyme-George E. Clark VIII liam B, Tooker
 Withdrew from Chapman Defense.
 Attorney Benjamin H. Hewitt at the opening of court asked to be excused from the defense of Edward Chap man. charged with carnal knowledge of a minor, Alice Cushman of Wa terford. Judge Case allowed him to withdraw from the case and named Attorney Clayton B. Smith. who ap- pears for Chapman's brother. who is accused of the same crime against the Cushman girfs sister, to defend the man.
 Griffin Placed on Probation.
 Thomas Griffin of New London. charged with breaking into a shed in that city where members of gun club keep shooting paraphernalia and steallng cartridges and sweaters, pleaded guilty. Judge Case gave Grif- fin year in jail and then suspended sentence, placing the hov or probation
 Attorney Clavton E. Smith appeared for Griffin. He said Griffin passing this shed one day and seeing shut ter down climbed in and stole the cartridges and the sweaters. Mr Smith said Griffin is now at work and he thought the case one especially adapt- ed to the probation system.
 States Attorney Hull favored pro- bation. saving Griffin is a bright boy and he believed capable of some good.
 Judge Case said, T am afraid there Is danger of overw orking the proba- ton system. These youngsters are apt to be encouraged by it
 The judge then imposed the sen tence and told Griffin. who is but IS years of age that he must behave or serve the year in jail. Griffin prom fsed to walk the straight and mar row path.
 Jail Sentence for Merel.
 Edgar F. Merel. a boy is years of age, pleaded guilty to stealing $45 from Deputy Judge Silas B. Wheeler of the Stonington town court. He was given six months in jail and Judge Case said later the case nieht be taken up with view to probation.
 Attorney Daniel NJ Cronin appear ed for MereL who he said was frank in confessing his guilt. He thought perhaps probation would be the best dfsnosition of the case.
 Mir. Wheeler, who was in the court room. was called upon to make statement He said the boy was a good boy naturally but he formed bad associations and the result was this crime He said he would be will ing later when so situated as 10 he dDlS to uo SD TO take the boy, give him a home and try to make something of him. MT. Wheeler is a brother of the late Judge Ralph Wheeler of the superior court.
 Kenyor's Case Continued.
 The case against William P. Ken yon. charged with embedding funds from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Go. while an agent for the company fin New London. was continued until next term. Kenyon is out under bail furnished by Thomas w Avery of Eastern Point
 Court then took a recess. while States Attorney Hull proceeded to arrange for beginning the first trial.