New Britain herald., 1927-11-28
Judge Denounces Ht-Run Driver
 Who Struck Woman and Went On

ta. Officer John Griffen testified [ that lie had heard a crash about 11:30 p. m. and found two automo- piles. one Of them overturned. He ar rested Allen Sundgren Of 34 Dewey street the driver Of that car, who was convicted last Monday morning of driving while under the influence , Of liquor. The other car was aban- doned and 1t was learned that it was registered in Trzaska's s name. Sergeant Feeney testified that Trzaskas was not at home when he called twice after the accident. De tective Sergeant Ellinger testified that Trzasha surrendered at police Headquarters and said he had left the scene of the collision because he was excited and nervous and he had stayed under cover from Saturday night until Monday.
 Prosecuting Alto " Woods claimed a conviction, saying there was not any question whatever Of Trzaska's guilt bus Attorney Thomas r. MCDonough, defense counsel claimed that no case had been made out by the state.
 What do you want us to do. prove your case?" Attorney Me Donough demanded.
 Judge Sake pointed out that Trzaska's admission to Sergeant FL finger was important. Called to the witness stand by Attorney Nc Donough, Trzaska admitted having been involved in the accident and he claimed that the driver of the other car swore at him and punched him in the mouth. Fearing further as sault, he ran and Lundgren chased him. He did not see Officer Griffen although the latter said he had reached the scene within two min- utes.
 The prosecuting attorney brought out. on cross examination that Trzaska had not called the police to investigate the attempted assault. Trzaska said he did not know whether or not Lundgren had a wea- pon and so he fled after the first punch. The reason he did not go home was that he did not want his wife to know of the accident as she would be worried, so he went to the home of his brother-i law on Broad street and spent the night. The next morning he told his wife.
 Mir. kular of Horace street testi- the time of the accident. He saw Trzaska go over to the other car and talk to the driver. He did not hear the conversation and he did not know where Trzaska went after wards.
 Officer Griffen was recalled to the witness stand by MT. Woods and tes- tified that the two cars were dam aged and nobody was about except a girl who held the officers night stick while he took Lundgren's companions. who were intoxicated, out of the car.
 He did not see Trzaska or Kulas when he arrived. He admitted to Attorney McDonough that a crowd had gathered a short time after the collision.
 Prosecuting Attorney Woods asked Judge Sake to impose a jail sen tence and said the statute on eyad- thrown away if Trzaska is not found guilty. IL is a fragrant case and there is no question of the guilt, he said.
 Attorney McDonough demanded that Lundgren and his companions be brought into court to testify. The reason they were not brought in is that they know Trzaska's story of the assault to be true. It makes no difference whether or not Trza ska has a record in court, as the prose- cutting attorney mentioned the fact is that he is a respectable citizen now and he is entitled, under the statute, to a fair hearing. and where reasonable doubt exists, as it does in this case, the defendant is deserving of it's benefit.
 The prosecuting attorney accused Kulas of lying when he said he helped put Lundgren's car back on it's wheels, because Officer Griffen testified that Mr. China, a garage man, had done so twenty minutes after the collision. Both kulas and Trzaska were untruthful to the court Mir Woods said
 Attorney McDonough repeated that the men in Lundgren's car should be brought in as witnesses. You are afraid to bring them in he said 10 MT. Woods.
 Say" retorted MT. Woods 10 the defense counsel, I'll take you up on the carpet here in court every morning before breakfast"
 Judge SaXe said he felt that al though Trzaska was not at fault in the collision. he should have re- mained on the scene longer than a few seconds or minute. Had he done so he would not have been in trouble. However. the violation was rot serious, he said, and he imposed the minimum fine of $50 and costs.
 SpcCder Fined S15
 JEi1liat1 [ Clark opp6 25 OS 101