New Britain herald., 1927-02-08
HUSBAND BLIND, WIFE CAUGHT SELLING WINE Judge Lenient With Wom- an With Woes and
 Five Children

Mrs. Fibre Vernacotole, aged 3S, of SS Dudley street, who was arrest ed January 26 for violation of the liquor law at her home, was repre- sented by Attorney Thomas F. Me Donough who entered plea of guilty in police court this morning and asked the court for leniency out of sympathy for the woman's blind husband and five small children.
 She sold wine at her home, as Officer Stadler testified, but she has not become wealthy and she has re- trained from selling moonshine and other intoxicants, the attorney said.
 Four years ago, according to At torney McDonough, the woman's husband drank a poor grade of li- quor and has since been blind. He cannot take step without assistance and consequently he is unable to support his wife and children. If any violator of the. liquor law is de- serving of lenency, this woman is, the attorney said. If she is fined she will be unable to pay, and if she is placed on probation to pay, her children will be deprived of ne- cesstes.
 Prosecuting Attorney Woods re- commended suspended jail sentence of 60 days.
 Attorney McDonough said this is very fair solution of the situation. Judge filling accepted the recom- mendation.
 There was lengthy hearing on the cases of Mr. and Mrs. Nincenzo Bartolucci of 39 Holmes avenue. charged on two counts of violation of the liquor law on January 22. Judge w. r. Mangan represented the couple. who pleaded not guilty.
 Officers Stadler and Cosgrove testi- fled to sending an "agent" to make a purchase giving him two s1 bills and he returned with two bottles of wine and 25 cents.
 The officers seized six cases of
 
 beer, some wine and whiskey, malt and hops. Officer H. c. Lyon testi- fled that he assisted in the raid and found a bottle of whiskey in a cup board. There were several bottles and glasses on the table and sink board.
 The "agent' testified that Mrs. Bartolucci sold him two bottles of wine for s1.75. saying she would take a chance" after hesitating for some time because she did not know him. Judge Mangan cross examined agent questioned the right of the attorney to question him along these lines
 Judge Mangan asked him what he expects to receive for his services as agent" and the reply was: That's my business" Prosecuting Attorney Woods objected to this line of exam- ination and Judge Mangan claimed 1t on the ground hat it makes differ ence in the weight of the testimony whether the "agent" expects to re- ceive the customary s10 per case or more for a conviction. Judge filling ruled that it is immaterial.
 Judge Mangan called the attention of the court to the attitude of the agent" He said it was none of my business" Judge Mangan said. That is for the court to decide"
 'I beg your pardon, he said. that's my business Prosecuting Attorney Woods said.
 Mrs. Bartolucci. in her own de- fense, said she had the wine, beer and whiskey for family use and she does not sell any. She refused to sell the "agent" the wine and the latter left the house. A man who was in the house at the time told her to give the agent" some wine.
 The visitor said he knew the agent" and he was good fellow, so Mrs Bartolucci sent a child out to call him back. She then gave him two bottles of wine, but did not charge him for 1t. Her husband was not at home C he works from D. m.. to midnight.
 Prosecuting Attorney Woods ask ed Mrs. Bartolucci where she got the whiskey and she replied she bought it. The prosecuting attorney insist