Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-18

cording as he "got" q civilian or a
policeman. Further questioning de-
veloped that Hull was the only po-
liceman he had ever caught. At
torney Gordon pressed his question
ing and after objections by the coun-
ty attorney, which were not upheld
by the court, James said that he
had received $40 for getting" Hull.
A question as to the price for civil
ians was stricken out by order of
the court.
Deputy Sheriffs Harry Pinkham
and Edwin +. Megill testified that
they had sent Chester James to
buy from Roy A. Hull on February
6. They had searched James at the
Waterville City hall and had watch
ed him as he went to the Exchange
Hotel, where Hull had a room. He
had been gone 10 or Is minutes and
they had watched him return from
the hotel. He had then given them
half pint of liquor.
James testified that he had gone
to Hull's room and had purchased
the liquor from him, paying $3.50
for it. Hull had taken the bottle
from a drawer of his dresser.
Defense Denies Allegations
The defense was a denial that he
had seen James on the day of the
alleged sale or that he had sold the
bottle of liquor. He stated that he
had met James and a companion on
one or two occasions previously and
at one time had had a drink with
them when one of the men had in
sisted. He stoutly maintained that
he had not sold the liquor to James.
On cross-examination he admitted
that while a member of the force he
had continued to live at the FIX
change Hotel when he knew that 1t
had reputation as place where
liquor was sold, and that he had seen
drunken men there at times.
Clerk of Courts Charles Jones was
called to the stand to testify from
his records as to the fact that both
NORM and Rancourt who had ap-
peared before the court earlier in
the day, and who were employed al
the hotel, had pleaded nolo conten-
Ore on liquor charges. and that in
the papers the Exchange Hotel was
named.
A verdict of not guilty was return.
ed IN this case also. The respondent
was represented by Attorney Ray
Two Respondents Sentenced
Two respondents who pleaded nolo
contendre were sentenced and two
were found mot guilty" by the jury
after trials Friday at the April term
OF the Kennebec county superior court.
The two to be sentenced were Hector
NORM and Norbert Rancourt, both of
WaterV1lle, who changed pleas of not
guilty to pleas Of nolo contendre In
cases of single sale and were sem
fenced to serve two months in fail. to
pay nnes amounting to $500 and costs
taxed at SIS. or to serve six months
additional in jail.
claude Taylor Of Waterville, charg-
ed with illegal possession of intoxicat-
ing liquor. and Roy A. Hull of LYNN.
formerly police officer of Wateryille.
charged with single sale, were both
acquitted after jury trials.
Testimony in the Taylor Case
Deputy Sheriffs William Cole, Haddv
Pinkham and Edwin F. MegiIl testified
for the State. They declared that thew
went to the premises at 1928 College
avenue In Waterville on March 10 and
searched the portion of the place which
was occupied by the respondent. In
the cellar In part used by Taylor
they found four large bottles of alco-
mol. one Of which was in a cardboard
container addressed to the Sisters
Hospital.
They testified that the cellar was d.
Vioed up with Stat partitions into va
Iious rooms which We're used by diff
aerent Families living in the house.
The one which contained the Honor
was used by Taylor and the door was
N.
named Pooler was locked The respon-
dent had said at the time of the seiz-
ure that he had been down cellar
half hour before and that he had not
seen any liquor there.
On cross-examination It developed
that some Of the alcohol had, been
taken back to the Sisters Hospital bv
the deputies acting on instructions re-
celved from Judge Atchley Of the Wa
terville municipal court.
Iaylor, testifying in his own de-
tense, declared that he knew nothing
or the alcohol until he had seen II
aiter the officers had brought 1t up-
stairs. He said that he had worked
as engineer at the Sisters Hospital for
the past year and that for a time had
TINS same Elmer Pooler working under
him and he had been dismissed. He
testified that Pooler kept his part of
the cellar always locked. He stated
that he was told the day before the
seizure by the sister superior at the
hospital that he had the alcohol in
his cellar. He testified that he UNDER
stood that Pooler is now working on
the Job which the respondent had held
at the hospital.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Clark, who live
In another portion Of the house, testf-
lied that although they had occasion
TO go into the cellar quite frequently
they did not see any indications that
Mr.. Taylor had alcohol there. Mrs.
Clark stated that on the day of the
seizure, at about 4 o'clock in the aft
ernoon, she had been in the cellar for
ABOUT half an hour and that If the H.
quor had been where the officers had
testified they found 1t she would have
seen 1t. She testified that Pooler kept
his part of the cellar locked.
The mother Of the respondent, who
lived with him, stated that she had
been down cellar that day and thar
there was nothing Of that kind in their
part or the cellar. She had seen her
son when he came home that night and
he had not been carrying any bundles
which might have contained the bot
ties Of alcohol. Several character wit
nesses were presented by the defense.
Throughout the defense the infer
ence was drawn that this was a
"frame-up" on the part of Mr.. Pooler,
who was out of work at the time, so
that he might himself get the job at
h0CnIfaJ n