New Britain herald., 1922-03-08

edge of the theft of the car. and had been n dupe rather than a tool" of the slick New Workers Tn the mat ter of sentence, Judge Malone said that his clinent had been incarcerat- cd for five months and three weeks, and if it pleased the court, consid- endseof justice. Judge Malone said that if his client was to be further punished, he would like to ask for jail sentence, He spoke of the vol untary manner in which his client had sent for the states attorney, in order to bare the facts attending in the case.
 Richardson Good Hearted.
 Lawyer P. F. McDonough, speaking for Richardson, said that he is now man of b6 years of age. He spoke of his being apprenticed out when a lad of 1n years in the old country. and of his struggle in early life, which re- suited in his finally working up to position of sergeant in the New Brit ain police department
 Lawyer McDonough eaid he had known Richardson long. and char acterized him as having warm heart and of being of sympathetic nature. This, the lawyer said, was the reason he finds himself in the present predic- ament. His client, Lawyer McDon- ough said. after his arrest, realized his position. and on sending for the states attorney. he "laid his cards on the table" coming out truthfully in telling of the whole affair. That Richardson felt keenly the disgrace he had brought upon himself and his family was spoken of by his counsel. Lawyer McDonough said his client was led on through his inability to cay no.
 Richardson Has Suffered.
 MT. McDonough spoke of the long months his client has been in jail, and If you would ask the jail attend ants of his mental torture, you would realize how penitent he is.noW. he further added. Mir McDonough said Richardson has lost his place Tn society, but there is no reason to fear that he has become a habitual crim- inal by his past acts. A Faithful Daughter.
 The counsel told of the struggle the heartbroken wife and daughter have been through, and how hard the lat ter has worked to keep roof over their heads, since their father waa taken away by the strong arm Of the l law. He spoke of the modest little farm in Newngton, that the accused had purchased, and on which there IS a small mortgage at present. In con- cluding for his client, Lawyer Nc Donough asked that the court be lenient, and if the sentence was to send his client away, the county jail would be the proper place Tn sending him to jail, there is no fear that he will later become a drone on society,"" Mir McDonough said. He also said that if the court would show cemency there was no doubt that Richardson would never again be before the bar of justice
 Still On Farm.
 i States Attorney Alcorn said that there was no doubt but a dishonest public official was a menace to so- ciety. He said that during the time the investigation was under way, It had been learned by the officers that Wrinkle had, at heavy expense, 1n- l stalled a still" for making moon- shine whiskey on the Richardson prGperty at Newington.
 Had this case been brought into court before now, would have asked for the maximum penalty said MT Alcorn Asked by Judge Wolfe If he had any recommendation to make, States Attorney Alcorn said that in case of Richardson, he would ask that a penalty of one to five years in state $ prison be imposed. In making 1t an indeterminate sentence, MT. Alcorn said he had in mind that after one year, the prisoner would be in posi- ton to file a petition for a parole with the parole board. In the' case of Wrinkle, MT. Alcorn said he would rec ommend a lower maximum sentence.
 Prison Stigma Hurts | Lawyer McDonough pleaded further for his client by calling attention to the stigma of prison, that would be brought on the family of the accused. In answer to this, Mir. Alcorn said he wished to have a sentence imposed that will be a warning to any public official who has dishonest tendencies or who may violate his trust.
 Accused Speaks
 At this juncture, Richardson asked permission to speak few words in his own defense. He said that in 1921 he realized the mistake he had made, and with his son,> he went to New York, where he conferred with a MT Coleman and a Harry Luce, of the insurancy company's investigating force. The car in his possession was alleged to have been stolen from a Frank Troy. This man was found and after looking over the car. he decided it was not his. for the reason that his machine had been in wreck and showed the effects which this machine