New Britain herald., 1930-01-07
Bonds Set at $2,OOO When Schaffer Appeals-Byts.. kis Plead Guilty, Then Appeal - Ballotti Re- gains Possession.
Especial to the Herald)

Special to the Herald)
 Eewington, Jan. 7-Anthony Ballotti of South street, whose home was raided Saturday night by local off cers assisted by the state police, was arraigned in town court before Judge Clinton s. Barrows last night.
 Ballotti was charged with reputa- tion of keeping intoxicating liquor with intent to sell. He was repre- scented by Judge Francis Pallotti of Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty.
 State Policeman Landon testified he went to the home of Ballotti on Saturday night with search war rant and was assisted by State Pc liceman Winninger and Consta bles John Walsh and Arthur Olescn. When Ballotti saw the officers he told them to go ahead and search An assortment of liquors was found and produced in court as evidence, but three large barrels of wine were left in the cellar. The bottled goods were found In the pantry, and closets and in the cellar. Ballotti was then placed under arrest and taken to Hartford, later being released under bonds. Judge Pallotti asked the officer if the house were not more or less upset and If they did not find that a pig had been killed that day. Officer Landon replied that that was so.
 Officer Winninger testified to the finding of the liquors and the bar rels of wine, the barrels having rather large square holes in them so they could not be moved. He also found some cider with raisins in it and several bottles of beer of the home brew quality, he said. He also told of finding one bottle in flour bin, but admitted to Judge Pallotti on cross ss-eXamination that none of the stuff had been covered up.
 Constable Walsh stated he helped search the cellar and as the stuff was brought up stairs he stood guard over what had been found. Asked by Judge Barrows if he had heard of any reputation as to selling of the stuff Constable Walsh stated he heard a good many rumors of various places.
 Officer Winninger stated that Bal lotu followed the officers every where through the house and seem- ed to be afraid they might put poi son in the wine."
 Officer Landon was asked by Grand Juror Harry Webster if he had any knowledge of previous prosecution of Balotti. To this ques- tion Judge Pallotti objected stating that a higher court had ruled such a question out of order until con- viction was made. Constable Allesen corroborated the testimony of the other officers and said he had found a half-gallon jug of alleged liquor under lot of empty bottles in the cellar.
 Judge Pallotti then asked for a discharge of the case and said there was no law in effect that liquor could not be kept in a mans home. No evidence, he said. was presented in court of reputation of selling the liquor. and therefore he asked for dismissal. Judge Barrows, however, decided to go on with the case.
 Thinks Jug Held Poison
 Ballotti. on the stand, stated he was 46 years of age, was married and had three children, and worked for a contractor in Hartford. He has lived in Newington for II years. He denied selling any of the liquor He admitted the liquor was his and also said some was found under a sofa He admitted being arrested before. Asked what was in the half-gallon jug which Constable Olesen had found in the cellar, Ballotti said he thought it was poison.
 Judge Pallotu brought to the at tention of the court a bottle of liquor or wine containing 16 per cent alcohol which was approved by the U. $. treasury department and could be bought at many grocery stores. This particular bottle was purchased in kensngton grocery. he said
 Witnesses were produced by the defense, stating they had called on Ballotti three or four times a week dIu never huc" OI lIQuOE Del1R SOlO or heard of anyone's purchasing any there.
 In summing up the case, Prescott tor Webster recommended the case be nolled upon payment of costs Judge Pallotti said he realized that the state had gone to considera ble expense and advised his client to set tie with the understanding that the confiscated liquor be returned to Ballotti. Judge Barrows then nolled the case upon payment of costs, with return of the goods
 Find Gun in Aliens Home
 Charles Schaffer. also of South street. whose home was raided by