New Britain herald., 1926-10-25

| l
 is the worst place in town" the of
 fcer said.
 T object to that, your honor" At torney McDonough said. "The off cer knows better and the prosecutor knows better than to allow him to pass judgment"
 Well. 1t is probably the worst place in town the officer knows Of. Is that qualification satisfactory
 Judge filling asked.
 That's better" Attorney McDon- ough said.
 Officer Peter Ski rkowski testified that the place has the reputation of being a rum joint" He has seen men going in sober and coming out intoxicated late at night.
 Traczka. on the witness stand, de- nied that he has sold liquor. He and his wife drink at home.
 He was not at home when the police visited his home last Monday afternoon. The liquor found had been sold to him by q man whose first name is Frank and who lives on North Burritt street. He did not know his wife sold liquor in their tenement.
 At this point IS minute recess was taken and when court reopened Attorney McDonough changed Mrs. Traczka's plea to guilty on the charge of selling liquor.
 He argued that reputation has not been proven. McGrath has testified that he never bought liquor from Traczka. He has bought it from Mrs. Traczka. Reputation under the law is the well founded opinion of the neighborhood and the state has nothing but the opinion of two police officers. Traczka has the right under the law to a discharge.
 Prosecuting Attorney Woods asked as they are guilty. Traczka. in fear and apprehension of the conse- quences is attempting to hide behind his wife's skirts. Tt is the worst dive in New Britain" he said. Mrs. Traczka told the police she was through selling liquor for her hus- band"
 Mrs. Freiheit Escapes Penalty
 Attorney M. A. Sexton defended Mrs. Adele Freiheit of 311 Church street, charged with violation of the liquor law as the result of a raid on her tenement last Tuesday forenoon. when a quantity of liquor was seized.
 Officer Stadler testified that as he and Officer Cosgrove and Edward McGrath were on the way to the tenement. truck driver ran into the tenement apparently to warn the wo- man. The police intended to have McGrath purchase some liquor at the tenement. Instead. Officer Stad- Ter gained edmittance to the tene- ment when Mrs. Freiheit answered his knock.
 Officer stadler testified that a number of molders frequent the place. He has also seen other men going in and ont of the tenement and store. He did not stop them and smell of their breaths but he mo- riccd that they never have bundles in their arms when they come out, he said, in reply { Attorney Sexton.
 Officer Cosgroye testified that he assisted in the raid. McGrath was given a bottle and a dollar bill and told to buy liquor at Mrs. Freiheit's n, yNb1e NTnCrn+I, empty handed, Officer Cosgrove was sent into the store near the tenement md Officer Stadler went into the enement.
 In the presence of le two officers, Mrs. Freiheit told McGrath she i never sold liquor to him. McGrath l agreed that he never bought liquor 0 take o t but he reminded her that 1 le had often : unk liquor until 8 ! o'clock in the morning in her tene- nent She called MCGrath "a liar | md a bunl," and carried on like a ! wild woman, Officer Cosgrove said.
 What are you going to do, nail | ne to the cross like Jesus Christ?' ] he soutcd, according to the officer. 1
 During the cross examination of . Officer Cosgrove, Attorney Sexton old him he did not seem to know much about the liquor that was seiz- d. He wanted the officer to tell of the conversation that ook place in the tenement.
 "I'll tell you what I know and othing else" the officer retorted. 1cGrath testified that he told the ficers he doubted that he could buy
 bottle at Freiheit's because he was ot well acquainted. He tried, how yer, but was obliged 10 come away 'ith no drink and no bottle.
 Mrs. Fheiheit testified that she oes not own the can of liquor the office found in her tenement. One porning she awoke and the can was nere. Whether her husband q board r or someone else brought it into CT house. she could not say, She dmitted she sold liquor some time 20 but not since she was warned nat she would go to jail if convicted gain.
 Relative to the large number of len who visit her tenement as Of cer Stadler testified, she said they isit her husband. She does not now the men. Don't try to tell le you don't know the men who ome into your store" Judge Alling ,ld her. She replied that Officer tadler has a grudge against her. hat is the reason he arrests her Did you ever sell liquor?" Judge Hing asked.
 "Yes, I did once" she replied. When you were here the last time ou told me you never sold liquor. ow you admit you sold 1t. You were lder oath then. Do you expect me
 believe you now when you admit ,u did not tell the truth the other me-" Judge Alling said.