New Britain herald., 1927-07-23
DRUNKEN Driver
IS sent TO JAIL
Judge Roche Insists on Rights Of
Careful Operators

August Mandl aged 46, of 1437
Corbin avenue the first automobile
driver to face Judge Henry +.
Roche on the charge of driving
while under the influence OF liquor,
since Judge Roche took his place on
the bench, was found guilty this
morning and fined 500 and costs
and sentenced to Jail for five days
Attorney Alfred Levitt, represent
ing Mandl, asked that bonds be set
for an appeal and Judge Roche fin
ed them at $3.50.
Punched at Officer.
Mandl was arrested last Monday
evening about $50 at the corner of
West Main and Burritt streets by
Officer David Doty, who was in
plain clothes. The officer testified
that he was riding in an automobile
when his attention was attracted to
long line of cars held up, and
when he investigated learned a truck
driven by Mandl had collided with
car driven by Otto G. Stricken. of
24O East Road. Bristol. Mandl was
leaning over the fender and when
the officer asked for his license and
registration, Mandl attempted to
punch him. There was an odor of
liquor noticeable, the officer said,
and from his observations he con-
cluded that the collision was caused
by Mandl's condition., so he arrest
ed him.
Stricken testified that he was driv-
ing west on West Main street and
Mandl's truck, coming in the OPP
posite direction, had stopped to let
the traffic pass. Suddenly the
truck started to turn into Burritt
street and it was impossible to avoid
the collision. In reply to Attorney
Levitt. Stricken said he was not a
drinking man.
Drunk Bamforth Says.
Lieutenant Samuel Bamforth, who
was on desk duty when Mandl was
brought to the police station, tcsti-
fled that there was no question
about the mans condition. There
was a strong odor of liquor notice
able and Mandl was unsteady as he
was taken to the cell. He told the
lieutenant he had drunk wine. The
lieutenant remarked that Mandl's
appearance this morning was in
such contrast to that of last Mon
day night that he was more than
ever convinced he was under the in
fluence of liquor when arrested.
Drank Wine. He Admits.
Mand, in his own defense, test-
fled haa he had one drink of elder
berry wine after returning home
from his days work and then he
went to Shuttle Meadow avenue
where he worked for two hours and
did not have anything to drink.
The reason he appeared intoxicated
was that he was frightened at be-
ing arrested. There wouJ have
been no collision but for the excess
sive speed Of the other car, he said.
After Officer David Doty and
Lieutenant Bamforth had testified,
the defense produced witnesses who
testified that Nrandl was sober up
to 9 o'clock. From 7 to 9 o'clock
he worked with Joseph Mund of
297 Myrtle street and others clear
ing the brush off Mund's lot on
Shuttle Meadow avenue.
Prosecuting Attorney Woods
claimed a conviction, saying there
was no doubt but that Mandl vas
under the influence of liquor. Lieu
tenant Bamforth would not have
charged him had he not been in that
condition. he said. Mandl not only
refused to show Officer Doty his Ii
cense and registration but he at
tempted tempted to punch the OFFICER Woods
Levitt Asks Ienicncy
Attorney Levitt said the testi-
mony relative to Mandrs condition
was so conflicting he would not
dwell on it, but he called attention
to the fact that Mandl had worked
all day and again in the evening.
He Is a middle aged man and has o
large family, The attorney asked that
he be given the benefit OF the doubt
that existed as to his condition.
Judge Roche said the testimony
Of Stricken, Officer Doty and Lieu