New Britain herald., 1927-12-07
KEOUGH GETS ONE
 YEARS PROBATION
Lawyers Plea of Self Sacrifice by Accused Wins CleTnenCy

The sympathy of a whole com 1nunity was manifested in behalf ot l young man whose family respon- abilities strained him beyond the breaking point, when James l.. keough, sormer parcel post carrier was given a hearing in the United states district court at Hartford yes terday on a charge of embedding post office funds.
 Keough was presented to United states District Judge Edwin $. Thomas by Assistant |. $. District Attorney George H. Cohen. He was harged with embedding from the government C. o. D. collections to he amount of S990.S2.
 He was represented by Judge Will am F. Mangan and pleaded guilty.
 Charge Is Explained.
 Tn explaining the charge 10 the court, Attorney Cohen explained the system of checking on C. c. D, pack ages. Each package has a perforat d tag in two parts. One part is kept in the post office when the parcel is turned over to the car rler. The stub is returned with the money collected. Postal officials then check up. Keough, he said, 'ook parcels which were not handed over to him. and kept both parts of he tag, also keeping the money col lected. Thus it was impossible to eheck up on packages until suspl- cion was aroused and an investiga- ion started.
 A total of T packages represent ing collections of S990,S2 were in- tolved, he said.
 Accused Breaks Down.
 Keough maintained his composure throughout the hearing, answering questions in clear voice and with out hesitating, and 1t was not until the hearing was over and he realized that he was a free man, did he break down and cry.
 In making a statement on behalf of the accused, Judge Mangan brought out facts on conditions which he said surpassed anything he ever before encountered in his IS years in law practice. It was story of pathos. loyalty and heroic self-sacrifice.
 He is young man S1 years old,' Judge Mangan explained. "who has Ia Erit air oil hig life He Is known In the community as a model young man. Nothing in the IS years that ] have been practicing law has ever made such an impress sion on the community of New Britain.
 Three years ago his father died. The widowed mother has been i'll during the entire three years and doctor bills have been heavy. A sis ter, who married unfortunately and who is divorced, is ill mentally and physically and bills for hospital and medical attendance have piled up. She has an eight year old son. There also is a brother, who is ill, has had three operations and now is a patient in the hospital. The entire load of keeping this family of three invalids, q child and himself, feed ing, clothing and providing medical attention has fallen upon the shoui- ders of this young man. He shonl- Iered the whole burden and refused 10 seek aid from others.
 Tt has been impossible within the past few days to walk the streets of New Britain without meeting peo- pie on all sides who expressed their sympathy continued Judge Mangan. The attorney pointed out that at least one other lawyer in New Brit ain had volunteered to help defend keough, that it seemed as though the entire community had rallied to his aid.
 Friends had collected more than $500 to help him make restitution, scores of people had offered bail. which keough declined to accept, aud bis fiancee did what she could towards supplying information " ilO NdS IObtu W NOulil anu 'iill Il'Il him.
 He had st75 coming in back sal 1ry, $500 refund from a pension fund and friends have collected S515 10 help him make restitution" the attorney continued. This money was raised without his knowledge, given by his friends in five and ten dollar contributions, money which hey needed themselves just to show their confidence in the accused"
 Fully 40 people have approached me and have offered to go his bond, turing the week he spent in jail but he refused to accept it. and re- mained in jail.
 Served In France.
 During the World War he tried 70 enlist in Troop B. He was turn d down because ol weak eyes. He pcrsevered and finally enlisted serV- lng IS months, Of which one year vas In France. He received an ey- aellent discharge from the army, and have letter here, given me by he young mans fianCce and with out his knowledge showing that h" vas cited for bravery in action. She brought 1t to my office and asked me 10 show it 70 the court.
 He has no bad habits, IIc Is q .otal abstainer and does not gamble. He has not received q cents worth