New Britain herald., 1925-01-26
BAKERS AGE WAS
 .3S CAL. REVOLVER
He Played It and Is Bound Over
 for Shooting

Refusing the request of defense attorney that he take jurisdiction in 1 the case, Judge Benjamin W. filling l. today found probable cause and bound John Baker, Colorcd, of @2S . North street over to the March term of Superior court under $1jQO bonds 1. on a charge of assaulting Edward 1. Coleman, also Cplor,G, with q Iyad- 1. ly weapon on Christmas morning Judge AlDluG said that there was only one feature of the case that made him hesitate to take junsllc- . ton. and that Wds because he never could justify d man carrying re- Yolver around In his pocket, . especially when joining d party such l as took place in Bakers house Christmas eve where trouble was so liable to develop. Atty Harry Ginsborg, represent 1 ing Baker attempted to establish i self defense a5 d motive for the 1 shooting of Coleman, the defendant telt.aS tho court that he pulled the sS Calber revolver 10 warn Coleman to keep away from him when he drew knIc Ir an argument over q card game and started toward Bak- CT. Baker exhibited coat with rip across the back alleged to have been caused by a knife wiolded by Cole man. He said that he fired the first shot from tho gun into thealr first shot from the gun into the air in q effort to stop the approach oi Coleman who vas coming ut mm with q knifc, but hr WIS forced to shoot Coleman when he started to close in on him.
 The amount oC liquor that was III the party was source of cor'radlc- tory evidence. Coleman and Lemon Long told the court that they dld not see any liquor tborc at aIh While two other states witnesses told the court that there was plenty ot llouor and cvrrboiy Was drinking it,
 Had Little Card Game
 The party that enoI in the shoot ing started at 1U o'clock Christmas eve in Bakers bachelor apartment at o25 North street all present po- ing colored men. They played polk CT for the greater part of the nigfl the game breaking mp about o'clock Christmas morning. oe men talked for time and BaNeF suggested game of set back. Coie- man agreed to play with him ana the two started the game "l'I' Long keeping score.
 They had played thrcc games "u1 were starting the fourth when !N9 .rqument occurred. They played hand and after agreeing that ho'h had secured two points in H. Col'- man punched tho cards. Then I'ak- CT said that he thought that ne Id' the larger number of points 1or game and should get three points, This preciptated tho argument anu both men started calling each other names, according to tho testimony
 Fast Man on Draw
 Baker is alleged hv the state f0 have risen, pulling his revolver 7S he did SO and started shooting aS soon as he reached his feet. Cole man said that tho first shot fired struck him in the arm and the sec ond shot pierced his leg, tn" next three shots going wild as William Taylor. another member of th" party jumped on Baker and knocked him to the floor.
 The defendant to1 dth" court tn1t when he rose, Coleman had a long knife in his left hand and l'mEoI across the table at him. He dodg"d according to his story, and tho knife cut his coat across th' back. H" then claims he pulled his revolver and shot Coleman after tho victim failed to stop at the first two Warn- ing shots.
 After the shooting Baker mn from the house hlrctootod and '.@ other mon loft. When it WIS dls- covered that Co}oman had hr"u 7n"t. he was taken 10 his home nearby and doctor summoned. The police received word of the shooting and tho police patrol WAS sont to the scene. Uatrolmen Peter Hahe,"a and paNd notv removed Coleman to the New Britain general hospital while Tatrolman William $, StroIts and Walter N3loua took up lh" search for Rakcr.
 Rare Foot Track In snow
 Learning that he had lot. 'h" house harorooted. they looked for his footprints in tb7 SHOW t1at had f-ll- en a short time before. Lor1tinC the tracks in tho yard, 'r"y were able to trace them through North Oak. Wost and Ta'oott str"rts 10 Hartford avenue, tnon along the avenue 70 Shepherd TIiH to Stanley street. SmaI'cy street and finally in to Connorton street, Following them along ronncrtou streety, they traced them to tho steps at No. 4l.
 StroiIs and Long, whom the police had taken with them. took stations outside the house while Malona went in. Baker nas found in bed hv Malona. who found that his feet were cold. Asking tho man what his namc was Baker said it was Scott and that he lived th"rr. Call Ing in Strolls and Long, Malona asked Long if he know the man in bed and received thc information that it was Baker. The man then admitted his Identity and Was plac- ed under arrest
 The gun alleged 10 have b' ah usod hv Baker was found at the corner of Oak and North streets hy Crnhus McGowcn and was turned over 10 the police, according io inc 'osti- mony of McGowen, but Baker C'aim- ed that it had hecn left on the floor in the room where the shooting oc- cured and that the knife which Coleman had wieldcd was on the floor beside it.
 Reckless Driver Docs His stuff
 Travelling along Myrtle street yos. terday afternoon at an alleged speed Of so miles an hour, Frank Pa'adinc of 65 Cleveland avenue applied his brakes suddenly and tho machine