New Britain herald., 1921-09-23
Belief in Police Circles
Is That Bench War
rant Has Been Issued
by Superior Court
Hurley and Alcorn
Take Prisoner Away
Late Today.

Chief Robert Hurley of the
state police called at the local po-
lice headquarters this afternoon
and took Edward Cotter into Gus
tody, bringing him to Hartford
where it is expected he will be
brought before the Grand Jury
in connection with the murder of
Louis Wrinkle.
The state police chief arrived
at the station shortly after 3
o clock with States Attorney
Hugh Alcorn and after a short
conference with Chief of Police
William J. Rawlings, he took the
prisoner under an order from the
superior court at Hartford, it is
said.
This action came within an
hour after a statement bv Prose
cutting Attorney Albert A. Green
berg that Cotter would be releas-
ed this evening. The local boy
has not been put to plea under
anv charge, local authorities eN-
planning that he was being held
merely as a material witness.
Cotter had just been given the
freedom of the cell room and the
local police were about to release
him when the state officials arrived.
They Immediately went into private
conference with Chief Rawlings and
Sergeant Richardson and, with the
bare statement that they had an
order from the superior court, they
demanded Cotter, leaving immedi-
ately with him for Hartford. In
formation from Hartford says the
officials probably had a bench war
rant, issued by the superior court.
The police are maintaining their
usual reticence regarding the matter
and may be entirely at sea regarding
the plans of the state officials. Chief
Rawlings states that he has no idea
why they took the material witness"
to Hartford. 1t is quite possible that
an inquiry into what Cotter knows
about the alleged liquor ring of New
Britain will be held in additions to in
uuiries as to his knowledge of the
Wrinkle affair in an attempt to 1mpl1-
cate local people. Cotter will un-
doubtedly get a severe grlll1ng over
what ne knows of the entire situation.
Edward Cotter, who has been de-
tained at police headquarters since
Wednesday afternoon as a material
witness in connection with the murder
of Louis Wrinkle will be released this
evening, Prosecuting Attorney Albert
A. Greenberg stated this afternoon, be-
fore he knew of the state police action.
Cotter was brought from Bridge
port last wednesday by Sergeants A. i.
Richardson and w. c. Hart after he
had surrendered himself to the Park
City authorities following a report that
he was being looked for in connection
with the murder. The young man had
from this city almost
simultaneously with the finding of the
Wrinkle body.
The murdered mans body was
found last Saturday morning in the
rear of the J. NJ Curtin undertaking
parlors on Main street under condi-
tions which indicated a murder.
Nothing to Say.
I'VE have nothing to say" said
Mrs. David Moore, of 2S Prospect
street. sister of Cotter. Judging
from Mrs Moore's attitude and
made today, the Cotter
family was becoming somewhat
stirred up at the continued holding
of the son and brother.
Examine More Witnesses.
Several other witnesses were
examined at the police station this
morning and considerable useless
evidence has been eliminated from
the information being gathered by
the police. A conference was held
between Chief of Police William J.
Rawlings, Prosecuting Attorney A.
A. Greenberg. Captain Grace and
Sergeants Richardson and Hart on
the advisability of releasing Cotter,
shortly before noon. but they de-
cided that circumstances then war
ranted holding him longer.
Cotter continues his spirit of
bravado in his cell. He whistles and
sings, his voice resounding through
out the entire building. He does
not seem to have the least worry. |
He has not changed his statements, |
according to Sergeant Richardson,
although he has been known to have