Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-28
CONVICT BELFAST
MAN ASSAULT WITH
BRASS KNUCKl.ES
Especial to Kcnncbec JournalD

Especial to Kcnncbec Journal)
Belfast. Me, Apr. o7--Aftcr only
10 minutes delibcration the JURY
rendered q verdict OF guilty in the
first criminal case to be considered
by the Waldo County Supreme Jul
dlcial Court now in session at Bel
fast. Associate Justice Scott Wilson
OF Portland presiding. State vs. Bi-
dow Blair. indicted on the charge of
assault on Roy Curtis in Main
street. Belfast. on April 18Th. The
evidence produced by the State
showed that Curtis was struck in
the back of his head by Blair. who
wore brass knckles, and that lie ran
10 the police station and reported
the affair Immediately. Witness also
stated that later that night they saw
Blair drop something behind Il
board III an alley off Main street,
which was found and proved to be
brass knckles. Blair in his defense
denied that he struck Curtis until
after the latter struck him, that he
acted in self defense and that he
did not wear or own the brass
knuckles which were produced in
the case. No sentence as yet has
bCSI lIup posed.
The second criminal case was
opened this afternoon, State VS..
Dame Burke. sometimes called
Mickie. indicted. on two counts, OBJ
structlng' an officer while in the per-
Torrance of his duty and for assault
on an officer. The ALA ged assault
took place in a public dance hall in
Belfast on April 18th. The State
produced several witnesses who tes-
titled. including Special Police Officer
Roscoe l. Robertson whom it is al
legged Burke assaulted. Robertson
on the stand stated that he was ask
ed to sell tickets and preserve order
at the daTe and that he was called
to the lobby at the head of the stairs
| by the woman who took tickets at
the door. He spoke to several
Young men who were making n dis
turbance and took Hold of one to
arrest him. when he was struck
from behind and seized about the
neck by Burke and that all three
fell to the floor. that while he was
, on the floor Burke hit him III the
left side Of the face. He said he
was wearing his BODICE but did not
have u billie with him and that he
did not strike anyone.
The state produced several wit
nesses. including DR.. l.. A. Wilson.
Municipal Judge G. X. Chapman.
Deputy Sheriff Maurice I.ittlctield.
Police Officers J. y. G.. Beach and
Mrs. Moses. The latter testifying
that she saw Burke strike the officer
in the back of the head ana that she
ran downstairs to call other officers
Ralph |. Morse, county attorney
prosecuted the case.
For the defense, represented by
Hodgdon c. BuZZell. witnesses in
Guiding the respondent. were called
Burke taking the stand and denying
that he struck. kicked or bit the Of
ticer. that he did not know the lat
ter was acting in an official capacity.
or see his badge. He said that
when Robertson grabbed the young
man witness thought he was going
to throw him down stairs and to
prevent this grabbed the officer
about the neck from behind and to-
gether all three went to the floor.
Burke stated that he had been in
Belfast but q few years. worked in
the local shoe factory. was an ex-
service man. had been in foreign
service. wounded twice and was gas
sed. that he still felt the effects of
the gas. The evidence was all in
when court adjourned. The case
will go to the jury Saturday fore
noon.