Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-08
DEL RAY CASHIER
GIVEN SIX YEARS.
Clay T. Brittle Pleads Guilty.
to Charges of Larceny
of SOL 900.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, July e.-Clay T.
Brittle, 81, former cashier Of the Bank
of Del Ray, which closed its doors
January 81, last, and is now In the
guilty to charges of larceny Of approx
mately SCI 900 of the banks funds in
Corporation Court here today and was
sentenced to serve six years in the
State Penisentiary, with the option Of
serving mis- time on the State roads.
The sentence was announced by
Judge Frederick w. Coleman Of Fred
ericksburg, appointed to sit on the
case by Gov Pollard. In presenting
the case, Commemorative Attorney
Albert v. Bryan stated that Brittle had
made restitution to the full extent Of
his ability and that he recommended
g sentence Of six years be gisen. Twelve
other indictments, found by a special
grand jury a few weeks ago, will be
nolle pressed, Bryan announced.
Entitled to Consideration.
In passing the sentence, Judge Cole
man said: The stealing of funds from
a bank is a bad crime, but making
restitution to the full extent of ones
ability and pleading guilty u the best
q man can do. To be brave enough
to come to court and admit it, man
is entitled to consideration"
Brittle was neatly dressed in q light
blue linen suit, blue shirt and dark
blue tie. When called to the bar ne
entered his plea of guilty with o smile
on his face. After being sentenced he
was taken to the local jail to await
removal to the penitentiary ct Rich
mond.
Clerk Becomes Nervous.
The indictment, charging the larceny
Of more than SOL 900, had to be read
to the court and this was started by
Earl Sullivan, deputy clerk of the court
When about halfway through, Sullivan
faltered, became extremely nervous and
had to leave the court room, ana the
rest of the paper was read by Judge
Coleman.
Brittle will be eligible to receive 10
days each month on his sentence for
good behavior and will be eligible to
pardon after serving Oneshaf of his
allotted time. He is married and has
two children. His home is &C War.
renton, Va, where his parents now
live.
only a small audience was present
and consisted principally Of the 20
veniremen summoned for jury duty and
. number of witnesses, besides the
lawyers and court attaches.
- Thirteen Indictments Returned.
Brittle was arrested January 30 past,
following the closing Of the bank by
action of the board of directors eight
days before. When arrested 1t was
on a warrant charging that he had
defrauded the bank Of q sum in excess
of 100000. After one night in a cell
at local headquarters he was released
on $4,000 bond, furnished by friends,
which bond was renewed following his
indictment by special grand Jury last
month.
Thirteen indictments, totaling in all
approximately 30 counts, were returned
against Brittle, all charging larceny, by
the special grand jury few weeks ago.
One indictment alone charged him with
larceny Of about SCI 900. Many Of the
indictments were on the testimony OF
depositors, large number Of whom
were called before the jury.
Receiver Appointed.
Following the closing of the bank
and the subsequent arrest Of its cashier,
The State banking authorities then
stepped In, as the institution was a
State bank, and had CORTLAND H. Davis
of this city appointed receiver for the
bank. Some time later b one-third dtyi-
dend was declared, but no indication as
TO further dividends has been forthcom-
ing. except the statement by the re-
ceiver that only few thousand dollars
are on hand a. this time and that what
assets the bank has are tied up in real
estate.
Judge Coleman was appointed to Try
the case by Gov. Pollrrd, following re-
quest Of Judge william p. Woolls Of the
local corporation court that ne be re-
leved as he was connected with the
bank. The closing of the bank, which
was the only one located in Del Ray,
formerly in the town of Potomac, out
now a part of Alexandria, affected a
large number of small depositOrs, chiefly
railroad employees and operators Of small
business establishments. The audit re-
vealed that the banks deposits at the
time Of closing were approximately
800 900.