The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-29

~-~ panel.
 Former Police Chief Thayer of Meriden, 73 years old, was excused by the court as the first venireman of yesterdays afternoon session. Be- fore he left the courtroom he shook hands with Mr. Alcorn and Attor- ney Crawford, saying, Thanks for the courtesy"
 The defense accepted Harold c. Fowler of Guilford without question. The state challenged him in similar fashion. Mrs. Katherine V. O'Connell of Ansonia who was subsequently, chal- lenged by the state, said that her husband, a real estate man, had once been represented by Attorney Carl Lundgren of AnSonia, fore man of the extraordinary grand jury.
 State Challenges The state also challenged James Gurinski of Oxford, who was ac- cepted by the defense. Gurinski, a war veteran, said that he sometimes is extremely nervous as result of gas. He draws disability benefits from the government.
 No questions were asked of Mrs. Agnes F. Bowe of Beacon Falls and she was challenged by the state also.
 The court excused Phillip Rubin. Ansonia junk dealer who admitted having an opinion which would re- quire evidence to remove.
 William Ayers of Naugatuck was challenged by the state. The defense did not question him.
 Inability to hear resulted in the excuse of Joseph H. Holmes of Sey- mour by the court.
 Naugatuck Woman Loses
 "Of course you would," remarked Attorney Crawford as the state ac- cepted Mrs. Edna 0. Fenniman, former probation officer of Nauga- tuck, after he sought to have her excused for cause. The defense challenged.
 Mrs. Fenniman serves at present as special probation officer in the borough court, of which Judge John F. McDonough is presiding officer. Judge McDonough is counsel to Timothy Horgan, defendant, who has pleaded nolo contendere to the conspiracy charge.
 Mrs. Fenniman said that she knew Judge McDonough profession ally only, and that she had also served as probation officer under Judges Joseph Talbot and Clare mont Tolles.
 Judge Inglis Refused
 Judge Inglis refused to disquahfy the woman.
 Mrs. Spencer, the 11th juror was the next venireman called to the stand.
 Without being questioned, George L. Hubbel of Woodbridge was chal- lenged by the defense; the court ex- cused Robert Newton Jr., of North Branford because of his fixed opin- ion. The defense challenged David Briggs of Wallingford, who directs school traffic on the post road.
 The state challenged Morris Kent of New Haven, a retired real estate operator, whose son is lawyer in the Elm city.
 In rapid rotation the state then challenged WaNer M. Noonan of Naugatuck; Leonard T. Nolan of West Haven; and Edward T. Braun of Guilford, after the defense had disqualified Phillip Little of West Haven.
 Otto G. Glueck of Cheshire, a carpenter was also challenged by the defense, followed by Fred Cooper of Seymour, and Graham A. Hitchcock
 WOlcott Man Goes
 Because his father has been re- presented by Attorney Patrick Healey, Louis Mccormack of Wolcott was excused by the court; and Charles P. Pope of Oxford, who is related to Attorney Frederick c. Water house, counsel to Daniel J. Leary, was also dismissed by the court.
 Counsel joined in recommending the disqualification of Miss Marion Elizabeth Bristol of Guilford, who testified that she keepsS house for her 81-year-old mother.
 With only one juror needed to complete the panel the defense ac- cepted Walter Murray of New Haven, but the state challenged. The state then accepted Harry D. Platt of Southbury, but the defense challenged.
 Banned By Defense
 A brother of Robert I. Sanford of the grand jury, Sherman Sanford of Oxford was next banned by the defense. He said that the fact his brother was on the grand jury would not influence his judgment on the jury. Burton Hoskins of Hamden was challenged by the state and Bennett H. Atwood of Middlebury was challenged by the court at request of all counsel. Charles T. Looby of South Meriden was disqualified by the state and Fred W. Westwood of Meriden was challenged by the state, completing the 18th day of the trial.