Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-09-15
CROTEAU-CORM|ER
AUTOMOBILE CASE
IS HEARD THURSDAY
In Municipal Court and George
Croteau, Jr., Of Lewiston Is
: Found Guilty of Reckless
Driving While under Influence
Of Intoxicating Liquor-Case
Is Sequel of Auto Wreck on
Riverside Drive in August

JOY riding incident was aired in the
municipal court Thursday afternoon
at o'clock, to the complete satisfac-
ton Of everyone but the defendant.
The testimony brought to light showed
plainly that Wallace Cormier, who
paid the mortgage on a 1912 model
Buick car formerly owned by George
Croteau. Jr.. Of Lewiston, and then in
the possession Of Lavasseur & De-
Moin Of Lewiston, had been neatly
done when he paid his s195, for the
altered so that possession Of the car
did not go to Cormier at all. but re-
NAMED with the original owner, Cro-
teau.
Cormier and his wife testified that
the mortgage was not read to them,
that Croteau and his attorney, Benja-
min L. Brennan Of Lewiston. promised
to fix matters up and send him the
mortgages. He did not suspect any,
thing and went back to Augusta, leav-
ing the papers with them. On the 21st
| and asked him If he could take the
car to go to Bangor fair. Cormier re-
, fused. because. as he stated. Croteau
was Intoxicated at the time Croteau
took the car, however, and later Cor
mier found him at Mrs. Casey's and
In the afternoon the defendant and a
Mr. Wiseman, with a woman, left for
the fair at Bangor. The smash &C.
Cured about five miles out of town
and testimony was brought in by sew
eral witnesses to prove that the car,
which smashed down two telephone
poles, and was wrecked, must have
been going IS or 40 miles an hour, and
that the tracks were. as Cormier put
1t, Jus like snake track"
Mechanics testified to the condition
OF the car, and it was shown that the
party abandoned 1t. going to Water
Vile. Attorney Berman attempted to
show that it was not possible to prove
the speed at which the car was going;
that no one knew his client was intox-
icated; that no one knew he was driv-
ing the car; that Cormier was a man
Of no character, and that the State
for his client.
However. the Judge could not see it
in just that light, and Croteau's state
ment that he had not been drinking
was doubted also. Judge Lancaster de-
cided that in view Of the fact that Gro
teau was admittedly a keeper Of a
lodging house in Lewiston, and the
fact that as Croteau had stated that
he did not know when the note on the
auto came due, although it did come
due on the Sunday following the ac-
cident, that perhaps Croteau needed
looking into.
Judge Lancaster cross-examined Mr.
Croteau and got several rather dam
aging admissions from him. over-ruled
the motion for discharge and declared
the defendant guilty on both counts,
reckless driving and driving while I'M
der the influence Of intoxicating IL
quors. Attorney Berman appealed, and
was told to furnish bonds in the
amount Of $500 for appearance, which
were not forthcoming. although he
agreed to produce the funds in the
morning.
Mr.. Cormier was evidently the dupe.
as he got no damages and the wrecked
car still remains out OF his ownership.
He was neatly "done," by the Lewis
ton parties. but the judge evened
things up as we'll as he could under the
circumstances, regretting his inability
to do more.