New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-08-19
O'NEIL bound over
TO SUPERIOR Court
Man Who Leapd Three Stories
held in $1,000 Bonds

II had been drinking heavily that
night and didn't know what l was
doing. l want to throw myself at
the mercy OF the court and I'd like
TO be given chance on probation,
I've been In the hospital several
weeks and I'm practically a Grip
pie" was the plea may by Henry
O'Neil, aged Al. of IT'S Arch street
after pleading guilty in police
court this morning to charges or
driving an automobile while under
the influence of liquor, driving while
his license was under suspension
and taking an automobile without
permission OF the owner. He was
not represented by counsel and
Judge M. D. SAKE accepted the rec
ommendation of Prosecuting Attor-
ney J. G. Woods. binding ONeil
over to the September term Of su-
perior court in $500 bonds. Judge
SAKE remarked that there were no
extenuating circumstances in the
case and he saw no reason why ne
should take jurisdiction as one OF
the charges is bind over offence.
O'Neil will be in the hospital at
Hartford county jail pending the
opening of superior court, as 1t ap-
peared today that he could not raise
the bond for his release, and he was
discharged from New Britain Gen
eral hospital yesterday with the up
per part of his body in cast, due
to the fracture OF his spine suffered
when he jumped out of third story
window at his home on July 2.
Sergeant Thomas J. Feeney re-
lated the circumstances of O'Nelis
escapade. Investigating complaint
that an automobile had been driven
through hedge at the Benoit prop
erty on Andrews street, the ser
geant learned that O'Neil had been
at the wheel and the car was owned
by Mrs. George Engel OF us Arch
street. The car was damaged and
the Benoit lawn and hedge were run
down, Accompanied by Mr.. Benolt,
the sergeant went to the Engel
home, where O'Neil roomed, and
while the sergeant was interview
ing O'Neil in the dining room, the
latter suddenly went into a bedroom
and took the leap. Before the ser
seant reached him on the ground
below, O'Neil ha( scrambled to his
feet and was captured only after a
chase back to Andrews street. The
sergeant testified that O'Neil was in
1irpn
was under suspension because OF a
conviction on the charge Of driving
while under the influence Of liquor.
Mr.. Engel testified that the car
was owned by his wife and she had
not given O'Neil permission to take
it. Mr.. iBenoit testified that be
heard the engine of car racing IN
the yard, the Engels having kept
their car in the garage on the Be-
mott property. A short time later
the car was heard leaving the yard
and about IS minutes later it re-
turned.
Had No Windshield Wipers
Judge SAKE suspended judgment
in the cases of automobile drivers
who were charged with violating
the new state law which compels
the owners Of automobiles to equip
them with windshield wipers. Judge
SAKE said the publicity attendant
upon the first cases will probably
serve as a warning to the motoring
public.
George Trotto. aged %. OF 46l
Myrtle street, pleaded guilty to the
charges of driving an automobile
without proper brakes, without a
proper signal device and without a
windshield cleaner. Traffic Officer
Delbert Veley testified that he ar
rested him at $50 last evening at
the Franklin Square traffic post
after Trotto had driven against the
stop" signal. The brakes would
not function and there was no wind
shield cleaner or horn on the car.
Officer w. P. Hayes testified to test