New Britain herald., 1926-10-16
DRINKS EVIDENCE,
 COSTS HIM SIOO
Washington St. Grocer Fined
 for Violating Liquor Law


 store at 2S7 Washington street, charged with maintaining a place where it Is reputed liquor is sold, and keeping liquor with intent to sell, denied in police court this morning that wine had been sold in the store, and said the wine that was taken by the police on October 3 was for his own use.
 He and his wife work in the store and they have their meals in the rear, behind petition. They drink wine with their meals but they do not sell 1t although they have re- quests from men of drinking habits. The store is open from 6:l5 a. m. to 9:30 or 10 p. m. and Polish, Irish and Italian families trade there, he said.
 Attorney Alfred Le Witt, repre- senting Diblace, asked for dis charge on the ground that the evi- dence did not warrant conviction. Judge filling said that wine has no place in a grocery store. He found Diblace guilty on the count of repu- tation and imposed a fine of s100, suspending judgment on the other count.
 Officer Stadler testified that he and Officers Feeney, Cosgrove, Skierkowski and Bloomquist raided the place on October g. They had search warrant They seized some wine in jugs and Diblace prevented them from taking a bottle partly filled with wine, by grabbing it and drinking it.
 A number of men of drinking habits frequent the place, the off cer said. He has seen men go in sober and come out intoxicated. Many complaints have been re- ceived.
 About three weeks ago Officer Stadler searched the place but found nothing in violation of the law. Asked by Attorney Levitt Officer Stadler named Berry, Kel- iCi4St t'iii lAtAl IIlSll dS llttlutlllt tIS They stayed half an hour and came out intoxicated, he said. The oni- cer has seen other men going in and out and until last Saturday night he had never scen women there.
 Officer Cosgrove testified that he assisted in the raid He has not ' had the place under observation. l Officer Joseph Curry testified that | he lives in the neighborhood and | has seen men of drinking habits | going in and out of the store daily. !! One day two men were asking for a drink while he was in the store and Diblace hushed them, knowing who the officer was.
 Attorney Levitt cross examined | Officer Curry as to what time of daw he has observed patrons of the store ! going in and out The officer said he has seen them at 6:30 a. m. and . 6:30 D. m. He reported his observa- ions to the liquor duo. He did not ask for warrant because he felt t was not his place to do so. He las never seen women in the store md the only men he has ever seen here are those of drinking habits.
 Officer Thomas w. Riley testified hat he reported the place to Officer 'tadler after having observed buns" staggering out. Many people who live in the neighborhood lave complained to him about tho place.
 Attorney Levitt asked Officer Riley if there are other stores in the leighborhood patronized by men of habits and he replied that here is one other store nearby where these men have been seen.
 Attorney Levitt asked if that tore has ever been raided, and Prosecuting Attorney J. G. Woods biected. It was irrelevant and inn material, he contcnded. The ques- ion was withdrawn.
 Angelo Lentini, who has q bar CT shop at the corner of Washing on and Broad streets, and others aho buy groceries from Diblace, | estiled that they have never seen he liquor law violated in the store. hey have never seen men of drink ng habits there they said