The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-01-12
.PHELAN ORDERS BRENNAN FREED IN MURDER CASE Suspect Iu Gore Mystery Returns to Newtown On
 Afternoon Train ANSWERS FREELY ALI coRoNER's QUESTIONS 1T Wish My Brother Was Alive; He'd Help Me" He
 Says, On Stand

Finding no evidence on which to hold hinN for the murder of John Corr at Newtown on Aus. 28, Cor oner Phe1an after an examination of Brennan today, recommended that he be released from custody.
 "I don't know any more about John Corr than if he was the Man in the Moon '' declared Michael Brennan at the hearing in, Coroner Phe1an's office today when that of ffciaI had the Newtown suspect brought here in order that he might make a. statement, Brennan was ar rested several days ago by the state police on suspicion of having caus-5 ed the death of John Corr, aged Geo, man shoemaker at Newtown, who was found Sunday morning. Aug. 29, dead in his cobbler shop on the road from the railroad station to New town center. Gorr's brain had been beaten out with the hammer which he used to peg shoes. The murderer evidently struck him from behind as he worked at his bench and after ward rifled his trunks and his cloth ing, but it is believed obtained little Or nothing.
 The state police have been work ing on the case for months and sew eral days ago caused the arrest of Brennan on suspicion. The latter ac cofding to his own statement has liv-j ed in Newtown for a number of years, eking out an existence by working at odd jobs by the day. Since his arrest he has been confined at the Bridgeport jail. Friends in Newtown were not inclined to be- lfeve that Brennan was guilty. They engaged Attorney Robert J. Beecher to look after Brennanss interests. Sc strong was the lawyers belief in his clients innocence that he allowed him to ga before the coroner for exam { nation today :, Brennan told very straightfor- ward story and although the coroner would not comment on the matter those at the hearing were of the4opin- ion that MT. Phelan2 would recorn-s mend Brennan's discharga Brennan is not a particularly bright man but he convinced thee oroner and those at the hearing that he was a parti- cuIarly honest one. He answered every question put to him without hesitation and in an absolutely Strai ghtforward manner.
 Brennan was brought to the coron- er's office today by Keeper Saunders from the county jail and Deputy Sher- if Johnson of Newtown. Attorney Beecher was present and during the Questioning of Brennan. Sheriff John son made copious notes.
 q couldn't tell you whether Corr was an Irishman or a German said Brennan. q was not we'll acquaint- ed with him. thought his name was John Green or William Green I only talked with him once and that was on the platform of the railroad station at wleyville Another time in NewtoWn stopped at his shop and got him to open a can of fish for me. can't tell whether had sardines or salmon in the can. He never as much Ss put a nail in shoe for me and I never took shoes to him to mend for anyone else.
 Brennan in answer to question told Coroner PheIan that the night be fore the murder he slept at the home of M. c. Bradley where he had worked the day before. He had no money and arose without breakfalst and went away. At noon that day he found himself near the Newtown Inn. Across the street the men who had done work for the town during the week were
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