New Britain herald., 1929-07-03
KNIFER IS HELD FOR HIGH COURT
McGoWan to Be Tried in Septem- Der for Crap Game FracaS


 street, waived examination in po- lice court today and was bound over to the September term of superior court in s1 coo bonds on the charge of assaulting Luellen Burks. 25, of Bristol, with a deadly and danger ous weapon on the night of June p. Cephus McGowan, 37, of 14 Willow street, brother of Henry and broth er-in-law Of Burks. was fined Sl0 and costs on the charge of breach s.of the peace to which he pleaded rnolo contendere, while John Baker, 31. of 312 Elm street, in whose home the affray took place, was fined s1O and costs for breach of the peace after entering the same plea. Clinton Woolfolt, 29 of "A James street, Bristol, charged with breach of the peace, was freed on nolle. All are negroes.
 Dr. Raymond S. Holtz of Hartford who was an interne at New Britain General hospital when Burks was brought there for treatment, testified that there were deep abrasions in the right and left arms and under the left ribs almost entering .he abdominal cavity. In reply to Prose- cutting Attorney Woods, Dr. HoItz said a major operation would have been necessary had the wound pene- trated the cavity. Burks, who was in court, is making satisfactory re- covery, according to the witness.
 Attorney Monroe S. Gordon ard Attorney w. B. Slonim of Hartford appeared for the quartet and the former asked that Baker and Cephus McGowan be discharged after Pros s- cutting Attorney Woods said he wantad them held as material wit. nesses. We don't know where they will be on the third Tuesday of Sep tember," he said. Judge Traceski remarked as he imposed the fines that he was taking into Considera- tion the fact that the men had been in jail since their arrest the night Of the stabbing.
 Mr. Woods told the court that Henry McGowan lost all the money he had in his possession in a dice game at Bakers home. and nobody in the game would make him a loan. so he held the dice and would not allow the game to proceed. Burks berated him and a fight en- sued, during which McGowan cut Burks with pocket knife which was found in his possession when Officer John Kennedy arrested him. There was blood stains on the blaIe. Burks was taken to the hospital by Sergeant Stadler and the arrests were made by Officers Harper. Cos grove and Grabeck. Officer Liebler also took part in the investiga ton, responding to a call from headquar- ters
 Going into the details of the game which led up to the stabbing, MT. Woods said one of the players had "a ten-a six and four 1 suppose. come seven, come eleven; I don't know anything about this dice or crap game.' Baker, he said. was slightly cut in the fracas and claimed to have been endeavoring to stop the use of the knife. There were two witnesses ready to testify how ever. that before the police arrived. there was a general disturbance in which all present participated. Chairs and tables were thrown about, he said. AS to Woolfolt, MT. Woods said he was satisfied he had no part in the fracas.
 Lawyers Plead For Others
 Attorney Gordon told the court that Baker and Cephus McGowan had endeavored to prevent Henry IcGoWan from cutting Burks. Cephus had left the house a short time after the dice game became a roughhouse and when the principals came outside and fought. he seized his brother by the arm and tried to hold him back. If Cephus and Baker were discharged, they certain ly would have no reason for leaving the Jurisdiction of superior court. tie attorney asserted, and they would make themselves available for tho trial of Henry McGowan in superior court. As 10 d money penalty. At torney Gordon said it would amount to a jail sentence because the men would be unable to pay They did not even have money to pay counsel. he said and he and Attorney Slonim were defending them ''on promises
 After court Prosecuting Attorney Woods communicated with the offica of States Attorney Alcorn and was assured that deputy sheriff would be sent to this city 10 formally sub poena Baker and Ccphus McGowan as witnesses against Henry MCGowan in superior court.