New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-07-20


judge, Hakin was driving at a rate Of
speed not less than 35 miles an hour
when the machines met, that the
other machine, after being hit, contin-
ued in straight path for 40 or SO
feet then suddenly swerved, turning
turtle and facing the opposite direc-
ton from which 1t was going
After his discharge, Hakin took the
stand. The testimony offered by him
did not in the least corroborate with
that of his predecessor. He alleged
that he was driving at between 10
and 20 miles an hour, was not speed
ing, was driving on his side of the
road, and that when he saw the other
machine coming he Rugged the right
side Of the road closer, In fact so close
that he could have reached out and
touched the telephone poles as he
went by them. He was inclined to
put the blame on Chiodo.
Richard Hyde, one Of the occupants
of Hakin's car, was called next. AL
though being unacquainted with auto
mobiles and the rate of speed which
they travel, he said that using his best
Judgment he did not think they were
going over Is miles an hour. When
asked by Prosecuting Attorney Gibney
how he arrived at that conclusion, the
witness stated he had ridden in cars.
to which a speedometer was attached
and thereby formed that opinion.
Josephine Hyde, another occupant
of the car driven by Hakin, was the
next to testify and evidence offered by
her was similar to that of her brother.
She could give no testimony OF what
happened after the collision as she
claimed she lost consciousness.
Mrs. Frank Halzin, wife of the ao-
cused in her testim ony said that they
were going neither too slow nor too
fast, just at a moderate rate of speed.
AS proof Of this statement she said
that she never allowed her husband to
drive recklessly when she was with
him.
Dominick ]. Materese asserted that
after Hakin had come to him the day
after the accident for help, he went to
the scene of the catastrophe and found
there long rut on the right side of
the road where the Meriden car had
been driven. He said that this rut
could have been made only by some
sharp pointed instrume nt and pre-
sumed that the broken axle, which
was barred by the wheel being off, did
it.
Each Of the members of Hakin S
party was put to plea by the prosecu-
ting attorney, and some of the results
were as complicated as amusing.
Hakin, when asked at what time he
started from Meriden replied $50"
When asked at what time the accident
happened he stated 1890" And you
contend that driving at the rate Of
from Is to 20 miles an hour, it took
you an hour and a half to come to the
scene of the collision from Meriden o.
queried Mr.. Gibney. To this Hakin
replied that he made several stops on
the way. You must have,' COM
r2ented Mr.. Gibney. Another thing,
he continued. Don't you think that
driving at the rate of Is or 20 miles
an hour, under the prevailing weather
conditions was exceedingly danger
ous?" The accused answered in the
negative. well, I do" deprecated the
attorney, according to the prosecu-
tor, the night was dark, the pavements
slippery, with intermittent lightning
and a thunder storm coming on
After the cross examination had
been finished, Lawyer Danaher wish
ing to make no remarks and Prosecu-
tor Gibney wishing only to state that
he thought Hakn should be found
guilty of reckless driving, the case
rested in the hands Of Judge Griswold,
who, after weighing all evidence, pro-
nounced the verdict mot guilty.
Although Attorney Danaher, point
ing to the telltale scars on those who
were members of the party the night
Of the accident declared that justice