The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-04-26
the Justice who drew the papers ant
VigWe was discharged.
~ MANSLAUGHTER CASE

| IN MANSLAUGHTER CASE
| With l.. j. Berry az foreman of a
jdrawn jury Basil Sleeves of Pittsfleld
was on trial yesterday as the result of
an indictment of manslaughter re-
turned by the grand jury, The state
claimed the killing with disregard
Through criminal negligence of Frank
Morse at Pittsfleld on the 18th of An
gust last. The state claimed that the
respondent with Frank Morse. Guy
Whitney and Floyd HUFF went to the
fair grounds in Pittsdeld where the
| fair was in progress; that Sleeves
left the grounds to take relatives
|. home and that while he was away
Morse purchased a quart of whiskey,
other members of the party contribut-
ing toward the expense of the same.
II was claimed that after the whiskey
had been consumed, following the re-
turn of Sleeves the four men left the
fair grounds and started up Hartland
avenue; that while they were pro-
ceeding up that highway the automo-
bile driven by Sleeves hit culVert
which formed driveway into one OF
the houses on the street and that
Morse and Whitney were both thrown
out. Morse was unconscious and
later was taken to a hospital in Ban
gor where he died. The first wit
ness called was Floyd Huff, %, of
Pittsfeld, employed at the Pioneer
Wooden Mil in that town. He told
the story of the incidents leading up
TO the accident as outlined by the
county attorney. James Fl. Thorne.
The witness said they all four drank
whiskey but it appears that they each
had one drink before Mr.. Sleeves re-
turned. Witness said that Sleeves
did not drink much and that he re-
called no trouble with the car. After
the accident Morse was picked up un-
conscious and was taken to DR..
Browns office where he was treated
and afterwards taken to his home.
Under cross examination conducted
by Attorney George Chapman of Fair
field, who with p. A. Smith of Fair
field represented the respondent, the
witness said he didn't see any signs
Of Sleeves. being intoxicated. Guy
Whitney offered similar testimony to
that of HUFF as both men had parti-
cipated in the ride. He was also
thrown out and slightly dazed. He
testified that the occupants of the ear
had no trouble between each other
during the evening.
Following the testimony of Sheriff
Mooers yesterday afternoon which
included a statement alleged to have
been made by the respondent to him
in effect that if they hadn't been
driving so fast and drinking that
night no accident would have happen
ed, the attorney for Sleeves made
motion that Judge Dunn direct the
jury to render a verdict of not guilty.
The motion was based on the ground
that the state had failed to make out
"a case, that the state had failed to
prove the respondent intoxicated and
that the state had failed to show
criminal negligence. County Attor-
'ney Thorne believed that since
Sleeves had invited Morse To ride lie
took upon himself the duty of rea-
sonable care in driving. which the
state claimed he did not, else he
wouldn't have driven into cnlvert
which he should have seen After
some deliberation by County Attor-
ney Thorne hel scquiesed to the
opinion of the attorney for the re-
spondent and Judge Dunn ordered
the jury to return verdict of not
guilty which they did and Sleeves
was discharged.