New Britain herald., 1928-01-19
DRIVER PAYS $lOO
 FOR IN1OX|CA7|0N
Judge Suspends Execution ol 15
 Day Jail Sentence

and costs and given suspended 1all sentence of l5 days on the charge of operating an automobile while un- der the influence of liquor. by Judge Il. P. Roche today. He was repre- sented by Attorney Joseph B. Grlffen of Hartford. and denied having had uuuor, wine or beer to drink on Jan uary II prior 10 q collision between his automobile and a trolley car in charge of Motorman Michael O'Bricn on Stanley street. near St. Mary $ cemetery, about 1850 o'clock in the evening. He had driven through traffic in safety and could have avoided the collision had not one of the wheels of his automobile caught ln tfoi- ley rail, he said. He was alone Tn his car and escaped with slight cut on the forehead and severe shaK- ing up, but the machine was smash ed practically beyond repair. Rela- i've to a bottle of alleged liquor tound In the wreckage. Benson sad le paid Sl5O for it in the south md of New Britain" but he had not sampled it. He admitted that he drinks liquor occasionally. at nome especially, at the end of an eAcep- 'ionally hard day.
 Sergeanrs r. A. McAvay, Officer Michael Massey, Motorman OBrien and Lieutenant Samuel Bamforth testified that Benson was unquestion- ably under the influence Of liquor and unfit to drive. Officer Massey vas on the trolley car and observed Reasons car zig-zagging along the road before the crash. Motorman D'Brien testified that he set the brakes on the trolley car when he sensed the impending crash and had he not done so. fatality would have resulted.
 sanford Edwards. mechanic TOT he Beloin Motor Sales Co.,. testified hat he was driving behind Benson in the direction of Hartford and mo- iced that the latter was not guid- ing his car steadily.
 Attorney Griffen called Judge Roche's attention to Bensons gooo record and the fact that he denied, immediately after his arrest, that ne had been drinking. It was no COCK and bull story manufactured since he accident, and there was no evi- ,lence before the court that Benson had been drinking prior to the col lision.
 pJ,l. n ioubt and Benson. should be gwen the benefit of it. the attorney said.
 Prosecuting Attorney Woods said the evidence in support of the state $ case is strong and convincing. Lieu tenant Bamforth would be the last uerson to come into court and tesu- fy that a man was intoxicated II such was not actually the case. Mir Woods said.
 Judge Roche said the odor or H. uuor was apparent at the scene ol the accident, according to the eVl- ,ience of several witnesses. and inas- much as the bottle was sealed, the odor must have come from Benson
 The only person to suffer as re- suit of the collision was Benson, who was injured and also lost his car Judge Roche said, and he took thls fact into consideration in imposing the penalty.
 ROmani Fined &15
 Anthony Ronani, aged It, ol l2l Whiting street, pleaded guilty to the .harge of unlawful assemhiage ana WAS fined $5 and costs, execution ol the penalty suspended, with propa- ion. He was arrested by Officer Louis F. Harper about s:15 Tuesday evening at Cherry and Whltine streets after he defied the officer and used vile language. He fought against arrest, the officer said, ana be is & source of annoyance Tn the neiphborhood although he has been warned several times and was ar- rested last week by Officer ustach for refusing to move when ordered 10 do so.
 Miss Angela NJ. Lacava. represent ing Romani, asked that the young man be placed in the care Of the
  panion have no club in which to spend their time and 1t was better that they assemble out in the open than to hide away in alleyways and learn bad habits, she said. He told her he had not intended his vile language for Officer Harper but the latter happened 10 pass just as he addressed his remark to com panion.
 Judge Roche said the young mar apparently deserves 10 have impress d upon him the necessity for obed- lence to law and order. He must understand that he cannot do as ht pleases to do and if he gives the authorities further trouble of this nature he will be punished.
 Nearly Runs Down Girls
 Antonio Spino, aged 32. Of 1lf Cleveland street. was fined s1o ant costs for speeding after sergeant Thomas J. Feeney testified that tHt girls were almost run down a Lafayette and Main streets at 4:5f last evening by Spino's car. whici cut sharply into Lafayette iron Main street. The sergeant pullee he girls back just as the car mad. The turn. and when if stopped neal Beaver street the sergeant arrestet s'pino. The speed of the car was be tween o2 and 9 miles an hour an% Spino showed signs of having beeI drinking, according to the sergeant
 Judge Roche remarked that th' actions of Spino almost constitute, reckless driving Spino said h. should not have been arrested an, he had witnesses but they were no in court. He denied that he ha' been drinking yesterday.
 William Montanile. aged 20. Of 1a Gold street pleaded not guilty t' 'he chargc of non support and hi request for q continuance until 10