New Britain herald., 1927-02-26
AXE WIELDER HELD
FOR Higher Court
Witnesses Describe Near Double
Murder in Broad St. House
WOMAN AND GIRL STRUCK
John Buda, In Frenzy, Brings Down
Blade on Wife and Neighbor
While Under Influence of Drink
Before Police Rush In.

A bloody ARRAY that almost be-
came a double murder in a tenement
at SO Broad street in the middle Of
the night of February IL, was de-
scribed in police court this morn
ing, when John Buda, "a, was put
to trial on the charge Of assault:
with deadly and dangerous weapon.
His wife, from whom he has been
estranged for some time; his step
daughter. Mary Bizis, aged u years
members of the police department
and hospital physicians were heard
before Buda was called to the wit
ness stand and warned that he need
not make statement unless he
chose to, as whatever he might say
could be used again him in superior
court. He had little to say, and
was ound over to the March term
of superior court in $1,000 bonds.
Police Attracted by Screams
Officers William Grabeck and Will
liam J. Mccarthy testified to hear
ing women's screams after midnight
as they were near the Broad street
house where Mrs. Buda lives, and
rushing in, they met Florence Pc
trowski, aged 16, who was bleeding
from an ugly cash in the right fore
arm and a wound in the forefinger
of the right hand. the result of blows
from a Ratchet welded by Buda.
Mrs. Buda was in the house bleeding
from a scalp wound and Buda was
about to leave when he was caught.
According to Officer Grabeck. Buda
said he had intended 10 kill his
the hospital.
Mary Bizis, who proved to be one
OF the brightest children to appear
in court in a long time, graphically
described the struggle in which she
played, an important part. Buda
came to the tenement at about 1890
o'clock and demanded drink. Mrs.
Buda would not get it for him, and
he said he would go out and get it,
whereupon his wife told him not to
return as she could not have him
causing a disturbance about the
house. At this point, the little girl
said. Florence Petrowski a boarder,
came home and told Buda to be
| quiet as the family downstairs OBJ
jected to being annoyed by noise so
late at night.
Flies Into Rage
He few into a rage" Mary testi-
fed, land going into the bathroom
he seized q Ratchet, which was
standing behind a pipe. Rushing
at Florence he raised the Ratchet
over his head and as it came down,
she put her arm up to protect her
self. The Ratchet hit her on the arm
and she began to bleed. Then he
struck her again. My mother was
over in a corner, hoping to get a
chance to run out, but he ran over
to her and hit her on the head and
she began to bleed. Then he hit her
again and he took hold of her and
started to drag her all over the
house. ran over and tried to pro-
tect my mother. He still had the
Ratchet and my mother was on the
floor and ] tried to get the Ratchet
away from him. In the struggle |
pushed him over a chair and he
dropped the Ratchet and started to
run out. Then Grabeck and Nc
earthly came in and GRABBED him."
Mrs. Buda testified that she has
had trouble with her husband for a
long time and on the night Of the
assault conditions were as the little
girl described. Sergeant P. ]. O'Mara
testified to interviews with Buda, his
wife and Miss Petrowski, and DR..
Fromen, DR.. Doolittle and DR.. Gar
Gin testified to the injuries. A ten
don was severed in Miss Petrow-
skis arm and an infection developed
in the cut on the finger, according
to the testimony of the physicians.
Says Mind Was Blank
Buda, who has long police court
record caused principally by drink
an marital difficulties. testified that
his wife sent for him and he called.
She gave him drink and after that