New Britain herald., 1928-08-29
PROTECTS FRIEND
and LANDS IN CELL
Greece RepudiatS Confession
Later and Accuses GRAY

After Prosecuting Attorney J. G.
Woods had nolled the case OF Joseph
Greece, aged %, of $50 Allen street,
in police court today, he handed
Motorcycle Officer Louis E. Harper
a warrant for the arrest of William
Gray on the charge of evading re-
sponsibility. Greece pleaded not
guilty to charges of evading re-
sponsibility and driving without
license. and Judge Henry P. Roche
suggested that he be given a chance
to engage counsel if he wished to do
SO. Mr. Woods asked for a recess
to discuss the case with witnesses
and when court was called to order,
he entered the nolle, as Greece had
repudiated his admission OF guilt
made to the police last night, and
named Gray as the driver OF the car
which figured in an accident result
ing in Greece's arrest.
knocks Auto on Jack
About e:15 O'Clock last night,
lieutenant Samuel Bamforth de-
tailed Officer Harper to investigate
the report of an accident. and on ar
irving at Allen street, about 20 feet
west OF Carlton street, the officer
found Officer John Griffen there. II
vas learned that Frank Malczylsky
of ass Allen street, had been called
to repair a coupe and had the right
rear axle lacked up and the Wheel
off when an automobile sldesWlpeo
the coupe and knocked it off the
lack. Malczyisky barely escaped
serious injury by moving quickly
and Edward Sonnenberg of IS Eas
Broad street, Plainville, who nap
pened along, followed the offendinf
car and caught the registration
which he gave to the police
Learning that the car was regis
tered in the name OF Gray, the OF
hcers. accompanied by SonnenberG
went TO his home but the nous
was in darkness. They then Wen
TO his brothers home on las
street but did not find him. so the
returned TO the Allen street hous
end found Greece. A few minute
later, Mrs. Gray came in the oacl
door and her husband entered b
wav Of the front door. They Ner
questioned and denied that the ca
had been in an accident but the OF
ficers insisted on being allowed I
examine the machine. and found
dent on the left front fender
Greece admits" Driving
GRAY then admitted that the ca
had been in an accident. and MT
Gray said Greece had been at tn
wheel. Greece admitted it, sayln
he was on his way to the home
a. friend who was to instruct hin
in driving. when the accident har
pened. Officer Harper thereupo
arrested him for evading respons
bility and driving without a licens
Being unable to obtain bon
Greece was in cell at midnigl
when Officer Harper, questionir
him a. to his reason for failing
stop after sideswipng the coup
learned that Greece actually had n
been driving. How could ! ste
when l wasn't driving?" Cree
shot back at the officer.
Celebrating his statement,
told O1hCer Harper tnat ne al
Gray had a few drinks before II
accident happened, and he to
Gray to stop Immediately afte
wards, but Gray ignored him ar
drove to Clayton road, where
stopped In secluded spot. n
knowing that Sonnenberg had fo
lowed and caught the registratit
number.
Gray has a wife, and he had h
license suspended once before, SO
thoguht Id take the blame f
him." Greece is reported to ha
told Oficer Harper. When he req
tied, however. the seriousness
the charge of evading responsibility
in addition to driving without ev
having had a license, he chang
his mind.
This afternoon, Gray. accompa
led by a bondsman called at {
police station and surrendered.
was released in $500 bonds for a
raignment In police court tomorro
He gave his age as 81 and his a
dreSa 4Sn Allan street