Norwich bulletin., 1914-01-17

At the regular session of the Third district court in Westerly Friday, Judge Oliver Fl. Williams presiding, there was a hearing in the cases against Peter Roma and Charles Val enta, who had boon previously arraign- cd and pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault with intent to rob Jacob Berfnser in NaTragansett avenue on the night of Jan. $. Charles Ruisi was sworn as Sntsrpxeter. When asked if they had secured counsel or were to acx as theSr own counsel, Roma said thax he was innocent. but had expected that . lawyer was coming from New London eo defend him. valenta de- elayed that he was in Boston on the nixht of the alleged assault and did not want any lawyer. The hearing thea proceeded.
 Jacob Beranger testified that on Monday &$ s.50. JaSl- 8. with his son he Ie&t tha sSoxe for home. When near the Potter and Murphy residences in Nsxragansett avenue Vaienta came up in front and placed a revolver against stomach ox witness and Roma came up in the rear At first thought 1t was a joke. Vaienta said: T want what you have" but witness said he would not give up. Witness pushed revolver aside and then Roma caught him from behind. Then the son, Cecn Beringer, Rrappled with Valenta During the tussle witness was struck twice on the head with q club and received scalp wounds, and the same fellow struck CeoiI on the nose with the club. Tho men did not succeed in getting any money or property. The witness was positive that Valenta and Roma were the men who assaulted him, and the place where the assault occurred was in a dark place in the avenue. He was positive as to his identification. He reported the case to Sergeant West and Patrolman Chace. He described the appearance of the assailants to the police and they answered the general appearance of the two men under ar rest Both men then ran in the direc- tion of Oak street. The witness teSti- lied that he first identified the men in the police station. Dr. May was called and took three stitches in the wounds. He was confined to his house for three days by advice of pr. May.
 Roma said he was in New London on the night of the assault and Valenta Said he was in Boston. They asked that witness make closer examination positive that the men under arrest were the assailantS.
 Cecil M. Beringer, son of the pre- reding witness, corroborated the tes tinony of his father.
 Patrolman Henry Chase testified that on Monday night, Jan 5. went to resi- dsnce of MT. Beringer with Sergeant West, and within ten minutes after complaint was received. At that time Mir. Beringer told the officers practi- oa1ly the same story that he told on the witness stand The witness said he saw Valenta in Westerly within a month
 Valenta added that he was in West erly just before Christmas, but was in Boston Jan. 5.
 Police Sergeant West corroborated the testimony of Patrolman Chase as To the assault.
 John Cato. police constable of Westerly and resident of Bradford, testified that he was called into the case by Chief Brown and went to New London with the chief. When the prisoners were brought to Westerly witness went into an adjoining cell He heard Valenta tell the other fellow to stick to it that they were never In Westerly. Have seen valenta be- Ore but could not tell just where
 Town Solicitor Agard stated that he considered the testimony sufficient to hold the accused for action by the grand jury.
 Judge Williams found the accused probably guilty and held them for trial Tn the superior court for Washington county the third Monday in February. Bonds were fixed at s5,oo0 each Tn default they were taken to Kingston Jail.