New Britain herald., 1922-03-28
Defense Will Not Build Case Around That Sup- position-Experts Say Facts Disprove Pos- sibiity
Ex-Sergt. Richardson De- nics He Took Death Gun From Hand of Victim in Automobile.
Especial to The Herald).

Hartford, March 2S.-Lawyer Hen- ry r. Calnen. representing Michael Ruggerio and Lawyer Nathan Freed man, representing Cowboy" Joe Cianhone. the duo charged with the murder of Enio Renaldino, informed States Attorney Hugh M. Alcorn in superior court this morning that they would not claim as a part of their de- fense that the dead man had con- mitted suicide.
 In view of this statement, which the states attorney characterized ass a concession" he stated that he would probably not produce any more witnesses for the prosecution. i Former detective sergeant Richard- son was on the stand this morning. He told of his investigation of the case, but said he had not filed re- port at police headquarters, the mat ter being in another town and out of his jurisdiction. In his testimony he said the revolver was removed from the dead mans hand by Chief w. J. Rawlings of the New Britain police | department, and handed to him for | inspection. | Dr. Wolfe, an expert. told the court in part that conditions about the body would make the theory of suicide im- practicable.
 Richardson on Stand
 Andrew J. Richardson was the first witness called. On direct examination, he said he was on duty on October 25, 1920. He told the court he usually 1,, A morning until o'clock in the eve- ming. He learned of the death of Renaldino shortly after o'clock on that day. He went with Chief Rawl- ings and Policeman Matthias Rival, arriving at the scene at about 1920 o'clock. There vert several other peo- pie at the scene at this time. At his suggestion, Chef Rawlings sent for the photographer. The witness said he stayed there until nearly o'clock in the afternoon, but that he left be- fore the body was removed. He was asked if the sun set before he left. States Attorney Acorn then asked permission to show what time the sun rose and set on that day. He showed that the sun rose at SOS and set at 4:4S. The witness told of the examination be made upon his ar- rival and he identified handbook that was found alongside the body: also the lead pencil. The witness said that there was an overcoat thrown over the front seat, near the body and he identified as the same the one shown him by the states attorney. He | told of finding the handkerchief tied over the mouth and said the man was dead when he got there. He identi- fled some handwriting which was translated in court last week as hay ing been in the book when he picked it up. This handwriting was on the first page, he said
 Cross Examined.
 Lawyer Calnen then took the wit ness for cross examination. Mir. Rich- ardson said that other handwriting in the book was his, he having made a notation of the amount of money picked up by Mir, Foster and MT. Bracken. Other notations in the book were names of people the witt ness had interviewed at the scene. I'rhe witness was not able to identify
 
 the first page. He said he had had it translated and it was the same as Ithat given by Interpreter Sponza last week. The witness also testified that he knew Mancini, and that he inves- Itigated the case with the state police. In answer to a question by the lawyer for the defense, the witness said that he was handed the revolver by Chief Rawlings after the photograph had been taken and that he later turned it over 10 the medical examiner, Dr. Ripley. He was asked by Lawyer lCalnen if he left the scene and went to New Britain and then returned. The witness said he did not. but that when he left there about o'clock he did not come back.
 Knew Rcnaldino.
 Lawyer Freedman then took the witness for cross examination. Rich- ardson said that he knew Renaldino and that he did not meet him on the Sunday previous to the finding ot the body He did meet him, however. on Monday, october 25, at about 730 a. m The witness said he was on his way to work at the time. Asked by the lawyer where he was between 12 and 1 o'clock the witness said that he was at his home for dinner. Asked what time he usually went to dinner. he said he usually caught the 11:f5 Arch street trolley car. The witness also said that, after arriving at the ] scene. he noticed that but one shot had been fired from the revolver. There were no other policemen there , when he arrived. State Policeman Tomanio was not there, he said, but , Sergeant Arthur Pinell and two other state policemen got there short , time later. The witness did not know