New Britain herald., 1929-12-27
Accident at Main and Chestnut Streets Early This Morning Results in Arrest and Appearance of Man in Role of Coun- sel for Defense.

street, charged with evading respon- sibility, acted as his own attorney in police court today, submitting Off, cer William Politis to a cross exam- -1natlon with the permission of Judge NJ. D. Saxe. He failed. however, to convince the court that he was not guilty as charged, but Judge Sake made the fine $50 with s35 remitted on account of the fact that the cir cumstances were not especially ag- gravating.
 Officer Politis testified that he was standing at the South church corner at 1905 o'clock this morn- ing and heard a crash on Chestnut street. Hurrying to investigate, he saw Mitchell getting out Of light truck and going into lunch cart about 100 feet or more east of Main street. Marks on the truck showed that it had struck an electric light standard and the glass from the light atop the standard was on top of the truck.
 Denies Knowledge of Collision
 Mitchell, when questioned by Of ficer Politis, denied knowing that the truck had struck the standard. He had been drinking but not sufficient ly to charge him on this count, the officer said.
 Could I ask the officer some questions?" Mitchell asked, and Judge Sake allowed him to do so.
 Did I not offer you my ruler and offer to help you to take the mea- surements?" he inquired.
 No, l had my own tape" Officer Poltis answered.
 Was it light or dark there?" Mitchell continued and the officer said it was light.
 Was that electric light pole bolt , cd down?' was the next question, | and the officer could not say.
 'ls it not an exceptionally heavy cbject?" Mitchell wanted to know, i and the officer could not say what | the weight was
 Well, can't you give an approx- | mate estimate?" Mitchell asked and | the officer replied that he could not ! give an estimate and he had never , seen light standard weighed.
 Officer Daniel J. Cosgrove testi- fled that he assisted Officer Politis in taking the measurements and | Mitchell offered him his ruler but Officer Politis had a tape. The rule |, and the tape were used and a slight discrepancy in the measure ments resulted.
 Denies Trying to Escape
 Mitchell did not question Officer Cosgrove but took the witness stand and said he did not know the truck had struck the light standard and he did not try to escape or evade responsibility in any way. The com pany employing him would gladly pay for whatever damage was done if the truck had struck the stand ard. he asserted.
 Explaining why he was out at 1 o'clock in the morning, Mitchell said he was employed as service man for an oil heating concern on call at all hours.
 Judge Saxe told Mitchell he was satisfied that the elements of eva sion of responsibility were present 10 a certain degree and he made finding of guilty.
 Admits Overlooking Truck
 Thomas Jassogna. 34 of 3$ Hill house avenue, Bridgeport pleaded guilty to the charge of overlooking an automobile truck. Officer David Doty testified that he made the ar rest on December 19. the truck hay ing been found carrying about 5000 pounds of paper more than the law allowed. Attorney Albert A. Green berg appeared for Jassogna and Judge SaXe imposed a fine of s15 and costs.
 Dumps Paper on Road
 Edward Lally, 19, of 3S1 Prospect avenue, Hartford, pleaded guilty to the charge of violating the city ordinance by dumping waste papers on the roadside in front of the Sedg- wick property on West Hartford { road. Judgment was suspended on recommendation Of Prosecuting At torney Woods after Lally told the court he was not aware that it { was a violation to dump the papers ; and he has removed them since yes- terday. |
 Disturbance in Restaurant John Y. Wilks, 22, of 2O3 Maple ( street, pleaded guilty to the charge of breach of the peace and was fined So and costs. He was arrested by l Officers Daniel J. Cosgrove and Ed ward Muszynski in the Central II o'clock last night, and Officer ] Lunch on Main street shortly after { Cosgrove testified that Wilks was using bad language in the place A week or so ago, Officer Cos i. grove said, he was called in by the proprietor of the restaurant who : wanted Wilks arrested but then changed his mind and gave him an T other chance.
 INDEPENDENCE PLAN GAINS Calcutta, India, Dec 27 UP)-