The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-16
Coroner Issues
 Entire Finding In Breen Death

The finding of Coroner John J. Phelan made after the hearing held yesterday on the death of Attorney Francis J. Breen found dead in the garage at the rear of his home GA Black Rock avenue, June 18th last is as follows.
 The undersigned, Coroner, having notice of the death of Francis J. Breen, white male 32 years old, late of the town of Bridgeport, resident at 64 Black Rock avenue, who on the 18th day Of June, A. D. 1S22 was found dead, having died a sudden, violent untimely death in his garage at S4 Black Rock avenue in the town of Bridgeport, having made immed1- ate inquiry concerning his death do hereby certify that said Francis J. Breen died in Bridgeport on the 18th day of June, A. D., 1922 from hem- orrhage and shock from bullet wound of the thora acic and abdominal organs.
 Inquiry showed that the deceased. a practicing attorney in Bridgeport, on the morning of June 18th. 1922, after breakfasiing, took small can of oil from the bedroom of his resi- dence and an Army rifle from the hallway to his gara ge for the purpose, avowed to his mother, of oiling and cleaning such rNle and smaller rifle, then hanging by the loop Of it's age;
 That subsequently, about 10:2o &. m., such mother, having knowledge of a professional appointment of the deceased at his office and in order to remind him of such, sought him in the garage, when and where, to her horror, she found his dead body ly- ing on the floor near a work bench located therein, his blood-stained clothing evid encing his being shot in the left side near the apex of the heart.
 Autopsy showed the bullet (22 cal ,O1- ha heart, left lung, stomach and liver, took a downward and backward course from the point of entrance to the place where found in the spinal canal at the level of the third 'lum- bar vertebrae.
 Testimony taken showed when the body was discovered the Army rifle, then leaning upright against the cleaned, and had hanging from it's barrel the cleaning rod of the 22 calibre rife.
 The 22 rifle. also oiled and cleaned. bench near the body of the deceased. The work bench was said to be heaped with boxes. tools, cans and litter of various kinds.
 the 22 rifle contained cartridge in it's barrel for several months last past or since the rifles last use in firing for pleasure at target. mere was no 0V1OSnCe ldhen UT dp~ parently available to show that such death was in any way caused by or participated in by a third person, or that any person was present at its happening, but only such testimony as indicated the deceased caused his own death, intentionally or accidental ly.
 To this end and purpose the state ments of the father, mother, wife and business associate, and brought to my attention by the police authorities, gave no evidence of suicidal purpose or tendency thereto, but on the con- trary showed the deceased was cheer full and anticipated the fu1ffllment by him of his engagements in and for the future.
 It was shown by the testimony of Sergeant Larney, who in particular investigated the case for the Bureau ment, an officer of experience, that in view of the various tools, articles and litter piled on the work bench at which he was working, the deceased during the oiling or cleaning of the 22 rifle, and possibly without knowledge of it's being loaded, may have unintentional- ly brought or allowed such litter, etc. to come in possible contact with either trigger or cartridge, and caused the bullet to be fired from the rifle into his body.
 In view, however, of the lack of evidence showing intent of the de- CSdSSu lO uGSCTOy n1I1S6l1 1nIenI10naI- ly, but the contrary, showing his ap- parent desire to live, together with that showing his preparation and cleaning of both rifles in accord with his desire and assurance to his mother, and the possibility of the un- intentional discharge of the gun by his handling of it in and about the 1it- tered work bench, I am of opinion the deceased came to his death from pos- sible or probable accident at the time, place and from the cause shown, and that said death was not caused by the criminal act, omission or carelessness of any person or persons.
 The witnesses examined were: George Simon, detective sergeant of police, Bridgeport; Dr. S. M. Garlick medical examiner, Bridgeport; Ange- line Victor, 126 Washington Terrace Bridgeport; Sergeant M. J. Larney, Investigation Bureau, Bridgeport; John K Breen, 64 Black Rock avenue, Bridgeport; Solomon Badesch, 113s Main street, Bridgeport.
 In accordance with the Statute the body of said deceased was delivered to his parents for burial at St. Bridget's Cemetery, Cornwall Bridge. Conn.
 Dated at Bridgeport this 18th day of June, A. D., 1922.
 JOHN J. PHELAN,
 Coroner.