Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-01
STATE HOUSE

committed the crime. He asked par
don for two reasons; Lerman is tu-
bercular and will die in prison if kept
there; and, when convicted. was in
capable mentally Of committing the
crime, quoting the statutes on the
latter point. The crime Of receiving
stolen goods is easiest on calendar OF
which to convict, especially in auc-
tioneer's or shop business Inter-
viewed police Tuesday and found
that Lerman was before deputies
twice for selling without a license
and this case; also that the man was
way off,"
DR.. George L. Crockett Of Thomas
eral times. Found him below normal
physically. Confinement will prob
ably bring tuberculosis. Mentally, Is
below normal; not a fool, but has
not normal conception of right and
wrong; not an average normal
human being.
Mrs. Benz. Lerman says husband is
about 30. been here years. Have
small children, 6 years to baby .
years. Her age is &c. Jewish charity
has supported us since BENZ. been in
prison.
Councillor Norton-Is Benjamin re-
lated to Eli Answer-no.
Norton-What is the connection:
Looney-Personally. think it is :,
conspiracy of the police and others to
clean up. There was sort of carni-
val of crime in Portland and instead
Of getting the higher-up man. they
got these fellows, because they had
to set someone. l don't think the
evidence was enough to convict.
William Fisher Of Orono
Edward J. Hudon of Orono, ap-
peared for VIM. Fisher of Orono, SON
fenced in September. 1918 for illegal
sale Of liquors to 500 and 60 days and
in default of payment, 6 months
additional: also for nuisance. 5000
and 80 days; also another nuisance
5000 and 60 days: another nuisance
5000 and II months. He was COM
mitted Sept 81 1918. He claimed
that the old cases were brought up
when he was unjustly accused of sell.
ing liquor to soldiers at University
of Maine. lie has wife, three chill.
dren and aged mother-in-law all de-
pendentS on him.
Mr.. Hudon said the man was
guilty of the old offences Have
seen him often. Is of Canadian de-
scent and the family is very igno-
rant. Was told by some Orono men
to stop selling, by others to. "go
ahead" No excuse, but should be
considered with the mans ignorance
l think Judge Dunn thought Fisher
would pay, when Jail terms expired
Fisher has now served about Z
months. Several letters in favor of
pardon were read.
Mr.. Hudon said these sentences
were imposed while the great war
was on and in line of work to pro-
tect the soldiers at the L. of NJ
camp. The war is over and I think
the rum business is out of VIM Fish
er. He will henceforth live a clean
, life. l think the citizens of OronC
will be satisfied and pleased with a
conditional pardon. He is unable to
pay the fine and will have to serve
90 months in all.
Alvin w. Howard Of Augusta
James T. Collins of Readfield APP
peared for Alvin w. Howard of Au-
gusta. sentenced April T.. 1918, to
l IL to years in State prison for
assault, the family not being able to
employ counsel. The parents have
lost a son and another is sick with
tuberculosis. The boy, if pardoned
promises to help support them, to-
gether with dead sons daughter.
Louis Howard, the father, said the
family needs the boy very much. He
is % years. Lived at home up to
years before sentence. Son is mar
ried. His crime followed marriage
after two weeks acquaintance with a
girl: went to live in Hallowell;
boarded some children. He was &C
cused Of setting 7-year-old child on
a hot stove. Have had to support
them. The wife was about 3 months
ago sent to the Woman's Reforma-
tory.
County Attorney w. NJ. Sanborn
appeared in opposition, saying the
facts had not been correctly stated.
Howard was very brutal to the little
girl. (his wife's child and finally set
her on hot stove. severely burning
her and causing a spinal trouble,
which probably cannot be cured. She
was placed with MA and Mrs Ellis
OF Oakland and has beautiful home
best Of medical treatment. but has
not and is not sure of cure. Howard
has other convictions against him.
"This crime was particularly brutal
and / cannot see any reason for a
pardon"
BILLS have been coming in for
assistance and I think that if Howard
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