The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-19
LIVELY TILTS IN
 COMMON PLEAS
Suit of Sheriff Gray Against Thomas COogan Being
 Heard To-day
ASKS $5,OOO

s Deputy Sheriff John L..Gray's as- sault and battery suit against Fran-' cis Brice was started in common pleas court this morning before Judge Harry J. Beardsley. Sheriff Gray occupied the stand practical ly the whole morning in describing the incidents connected with the al- legged assault made upon him when he went to attach car in @Hahnden last November 7th. He fyvzs i5 jected to severe cross examination by Attorney Joseph Bergin, coun- sel for the defendant.
 The original suit was brought against Thomas Coogan, ST, Thomas Coogan, Jr. Francis Coughlin and Mrs Mary Collins. all of Hamden. When trial started this morning At torney Andrew Dawson requested that all defendants, excepting Fran cis Brice, be stricken out as party defendants. This request was grant ed and trial proceeded with Mir Brice as the sole defendant. The first question Attorney Ser gin asked Sheriff Gray after the latter had completed his direct ex- animation was, And you want $5,- 000?" Sheriff Gray answered "yes". Sheriff Gray had said he was laid up for several days because of the discolored eye and bruises about the face he suffered in the alleged as sault.
 How many days were you away from work?" asked Attorney Ser gin.
 1.-TWO"
 And you paid $13 for doctors bills, and medicines?"
 Yes"
 How much do you figure you lost in wages by being laid up?" Between $35 and $50" *
 And you want $5,O00?'
 "Yes."
 "Do you average SIS day with fees you collect?"
 Sometimes more, and sometimes not as much.'
 commented, Maybe we members of the bar should give up the practice and become sheriffs."
 Attorney Bergin then read from the complaint the paragraph alleg- ing that the Coogans, Brice, Cough lin and Mrs. Collins had assaulted the sheriff Did Mrs. Collins assault you" asked Attorney Bersin.
 "Yes."
 Attorney Bergin asked Mrs. Col lins who was in the court room to stand up. She stood up, q short elderly woman of about 50 or 60 years of age.
 How did Mrs. Collins assault you?"
 With words"
 "oh. she assaulted you with words
 "Yes-she said it was her car and instructed the men not to let me touch it."
 A good many of these questions were objected to by defense counsel but were overruled by the court.
 Attorney Bergin continued with his cross examination and brought the situation to the point where Sheriff Gray alleged he was assaulted At torney Bergin asked him if he had struck Coogan, to which the reply was in the negative. Sheriff Gray said he was struck by Brice. Attorney Bergin asked him whether he had argued with Brice or told Brice he was deputy sheriff. The answer was likewise in the negative.
 "So Brice simply walked into the garage and gave you puck in the eye?" asked Attorney Bergin.
 Judge Beardsley interrupted al this point to state he was unfamiliar with the phrase just used by Attor- ney Bergin. He asked Attorney Der gin to explain what he meant by puck" Attorney Bergin said it was just another expression for strike VI
 Sheriff Gray answered in the affir- mative. The case was expected to be completed this afternoon. with Judge Beardsley reserving decision.