New Britain herald., 1929-07-10
GIRL, IA, ATTACKED IN BOOMING HOUSE
"B. R. E." Johnson, Witness
 Against Chapman, Held

Dragging fl years old girl liv- ing on Corbin avenue out of rest room in the so-called "101 Ranch at 90 Arch street and throwing her onto a mattress on the floor of his room, Edward (B. R. F) Johnson, 50, blinded her with a liquid which she said took away my breath, and criminally assaulted her on June 22. according to story un- folded before Judge Stanley J. Traceski in police court today. Johnson. who served a term in states prison at Wethersfield for :. similar offense, according to the po- lice, pleaded guilty to the charge of carnal abuse of female minor and was bound over to the September term of superior court in $2,Oog bonds. He was not represented by counsel and declined to comment or the testimony of Sergeant P. A. Me Away. Dr. John Purney and the girl Because of the seriousness of the charge. Assistant Prosecuting Attor- ney Greenstein ordered plea ol 1 not guilty entered.
 Sergeant McAvay testified that he and Detective Sergeant Ellinger ar rested Johnson yesterday afternoon on information furnished by Miss Ruth E. Bristoll, woman probation ] officer, and in his presence the gir told her story, which Johnson de. nied He admitted, however. tha he was "fooling'' with the girl am she trpped on the mattress an l fell. That he attempted to commi the alleged assault, he admitted. A to the use of the blinding liquid Johnson. according to the sergeant said he had a bottle of cologne Il d breast pocket of his shirt and spilled on the girl during the scuf f1e affecting her eyes. He denie that he had deliberately thrown on her.
 Consideration shown Girl '"
 The girl, who wcpt while await ing the trial. was somewhat com posed when called to witness stand Judge Traceski had ordered tn gallery cleared of spectators am MT. Greenstein made it easy for he by allowing her 10 simply corrobor ate the testimony of Sergeant Nc Away. She said she went to tn place at 90 Arch street. which is cheap rooming house, to see a maj named Miller, who is a friend of he family The day of the assault wa not the first time she had bee there, she said, but Johnson hal never before made any advances t her.
 Dr. Purney testified that Ms Brstoll brought the girl to him fo an examination. He was unable ( state how recently she had been as saulted. It was learned outside 0 court that woman who refused { make known her identity telephon ed 10 the authorities about the case with the result that the girl was in terviewed by Miss Bristoll and tol her story.
 Johnson is a we'll known charaC ter, the nickname B. R. F." bein | When boy in school he is said { have spelled horse" in class on day "B. R. F.-horse." mischiel ous schoolmate sitting nearb prompting him for the entertain ment of the class
 Tipped on Chapman Burglary
 It was Johnson who saw Waite Shean and Gerald Chapman abol the Davidson & Leventhal store 0
 Main street and notified Samuel
 Davidson, one of the owners. Da vidson telephoned 10 the police an few minutes later Officer Jamt
 Skelly was shot. dying at the hosp . tai, while Shean was captured q 7 Church street. Johnson was a wi ness against Chapman at the latter trial for murdering Policema
 Skelly.