New Britain herald., 1915-02-04
NO EVIDENCE SHOWN: h0DELL'S CASE NOLLfD
William Webb, Witness, Kcsitates About TcSt|tyIng Against Graham.

When the states case, charging William Odell with the theft of s1 worth of can goods, valued at only thirty five cents by J. $. Troop, the owner, fell fat the assistant prose- cutor, Judge George w. Andrew en- tered a nolle in police court today.
 Odell was arrested and brought into court early last week and the case was continued pending further investigation. John s. Troop identi- fled three cans of canned goods by his initials on the wrapper. He said they were worth about thirty five cents Asked what he knew of Odell's connection with the theft, he replied, nothing He explained, however, that last week Tuesday he went down into the cellar under his Church street restaurant and found the rear door open. Inside large quantity of canned stuff had been removed and Investigation showed that it had been hidden in an ad- joining cellar At noon time some of the hidden stuff had been removed so Troop sent an employe down to watch. At 5 o'clock the spy saw three men enter the place and begin to collect the goods. He followed them out, after reporting to his em- ploycr, and saw them throw some cans into a wagon and then run away.
 Joseph CroniahsEi, the sleuth, gave similar testimony.
 William Webb, a friend of Odelrs who had been subpoaened by the state. said he knew absolutely noth- ing about the alleged robbery
 He declared that last Tuesday he met man who was form erly in his employ and who had been sleeping in his old paint shop on Church street and was informed that when he moved he left some cans of paint there. Webb went to the place to investigate and found that the sup i posed cans of paint were either stolen l! or misplaced cans of food This l friend could neither read nor write, l explained the witness. l
 "Who was this man, queried ! Andrew.
 'Er-well he was a man whom the 1 court knows," replied Webb.
 Who was he?" persisted the prose cutor
 II believe the court knows who he l s." again replied the witness, loath to
 
 sparring for time.
 Answer the question: thundered 1 Andrew. 1
 Hesitatingly Webb replied that he thought the fellows name was Harry i Graham.
 With this testimony Prosecutor 1 Andrew announced that the state had l finished its case. Judge Meskill 1 raised his eyebrows in surprise for i not a bit of evidence had been intro duced to show that Odell was at all with the theft.
 "A1l right, I'll nolle the case" said 1 the prosecutor.
 Drank to Get Warmed Up.
 A fine of s5 and costs for drunk enness was imposed on James Mans l worth, arrested by Officer William 1 Strolls last night.
 Mansworth said he might have l been a little drunk but the truth of ! the matter was that he was cold yes terday and took a couple of drinks to 1 keep warm.
 When the fine was imposed he 1 smiled and stood up in the prisoners pen to say:
 Judge, I haven't got the money just now but I'll pay you in two weeks.'
 ''sit down. hissed Court Officer English. |
 Other Court Cases.
 Another cold-blooded individual who needed a drink to keep warm, Joseph Schwenter of Bristol, was fined s3 and costs. Officer Charlie J ohnson arrested him on Main street at 4:45 o'clock this morning.
 The case against Charles Stettler, 1 charged with non-support, was con- tinued until February 13 on the re- quest of Prosecutor Andrew. Attor- 1 ney Joseph G. Woods appeared for the ]