New Britain herald., 1927-10-31
DENIES HE DROVE
 WRECKED MACHINE
La Flamme BIaIaeS Thomas
 Murtha But Is Fined S1O0

tdf IaNme, aged 22, of IFS Ellis street, took an unexpected turn in police court today when LaFlamme denied having been at the wheel of an automobile when 1t struck q watering trough at the junction of Washington and Beaver streets and Iaffnington avenue on the night of october 16, and named Thomas Murtha of East Main street as the dllNer. As the story was uufolded, it appeared that Murtha, who has been in automobile accidents resulting in his arrest, ran away after scrambling out or the Wreckaee, and is now out or New Britain. Judge Roche, how ever, held that I.aI'lamme was guilty and fined him $10G and costs, after Assistant Prosecuting Attorney w. M. Crecnstein said there was noth- Ing more vicious than motorists who do everything possible to hide the truth in connection with automobile accidents. on the highway. On re- quest Of Attorney $. Gerard Casale, representing LaT'lamme. Judge Roche set bonds of s2O0 for an ap- peal.
 Benjamin Kragiel of G4 Farming ton avenue testified that he saw the car strike the watering trough It was going Q a fast rate of speed and he was not sure of the identity of the driver. John Walsh Of 215 Beaver street heard the crash and saw La flainmc fall out of the left side of the car, while another man. who was not known to Walsh. left the scene. laFlamme was dazed and after be- ing sent to New Britain General hospital was arrested by Sergeant John C. Stadler, to whom he ad- mitted having driven the car.
 Latlammc's brother testified that iie was present when Murtha took the drivers wheel between and 9;3o o'clock the night of the nacci- Gent, in front of LaFlamme's home. I.atlamme testified that Louis Reale Of Cherry street loaned him his car and he and Murtha kept an appoint lnent with two girls who live on l'road street, Driving down Farm lngton avenue after having left the Slrs, Nurtha failed to make the turn and smashed into watering trough. IieallZlng that Murtha had been be- lore the court in connection with violation Of the motor vehicle laws, Latlamme said he did not wish 10 tell the police the truth about the accident, but he expected that Murtha would surrender Hike a man. LaFlammc admitted that he lied when he told Sergeant StadIer lie was driving.
 keale testified that he had talked with Murtha since the accident, relative to paying for the damage, and Murtha wanted "everything kept quiet.' Cross examined by MT. Grcenstein, Rcale did not an- sWer in manner satisfactory 10 Judge Roche, who interrupted the hearing 10 warn the witness that if he continued to avoid the questions the court would take measures to to ' compel him to answer. La li7mme's sister, Mrs. Rose La Porte Of Pine street, testified that while sine was visiting her brother at the hospital Sia heard other callers dis Cussing the ,ccident and acting on what she overheard she went to the i garage where Nuttha was employed |. and he admitted to her that he was ut the wheel when the crash occur red. She said her mother was pres. eMt at the interview.
 Reale said he understood that l Nurtha is in Hartford or New I orS, | having left for fear of being appre- | bonded. Mr. Greenstcin told Judge | Roche he believed LaF'lamme was ! guilty, He pointed out that two 1 weeks have elapsed since the acci- | dent occurred, yet LaFlammc did . nothing to correct the story he now claims was false. He could have . told the police about Nlurtha but ! lfStead he came into court at this . ite date and attempted to escape | punishment by telling an unbeliey- | lhle story. If his story is true, he | -Hould be punished for deliberately | impeding the authorities i'll their . Investigation, MT. Greenstein said.
 Attorney Casale replied that it is the duty of the authoritie rather 4 than the defendants to investigate automobile accidents. He felt that Il continuance might be ordered | and a search made for NIurtha, who | has been accused in open court of ! having driven the ear. Judge Roche said one of the strongest points in | the evidence was the testimony that | laF'lamme was thrown out of the | left side of the car when 1t turned . over indicating that he had been at the wheel when the watering trough was struck.
 Woman Restaurateur In Again
 Anna Paskus, aged 27, of 22l Elm street, who was arrested by Ser geauts O'Mara and Feeney about 10 | o'clock yesterday morning for viola ton of the liquor law, pleaded not guilty and her case was continued until tomorrow morning on request of MT. Greenstein. The police seized | glass partly filled with alleged lquor in the kitchen of the restau- rant at 221 Elm street Mrs. Pas- ius was fined $1OO and costs in local police court on October IT for violation of the liquor laws. Attor- Lawrence J. Colon represents her.
 Alex Zunoski, aged SC, of If Gill bort street. charged with breach of lne peace had his case continued for 30 days in charge of the pro nltion officer. Officer Walter Ma Ions arrested him yesterday after noon on complaint. It was learned that Zunoski and Mrs. Eva Quas- nick have been living together for some time, Mrs QnaSnick expecting | divorce from her husband. She .ud Zunoski expect to be married, and yesterday he is said to have rcused her of being unfaithful to