The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-10-06
DECISION TODAY
 IN HOLM TRIAL
Judge Hears Final Argue ments Before Crowded
 Court; Defers Opinion

Cpufb Judgo tom A. QuruSll uugik 2 o'clock this afternoon in the case of Edwin Holm, suspended cottage master at the Southl1ury Training school, who is charged with cruelty In connection with an alleged heat- ing of Harold Smith, 16, of Middle bury, an inmate at the institution. The jurist stated at the conclusion of the trial at 12:3O today that the charges require more thought and that he would take the matter lin- der advise1nerlt until the court con- venes after the lunch recess.
 1n a courtroom packed with spectators yesterday afternoon and this morning, Holm described the actions which resulted In his arrest. He admitted skipping" the young boy and locking him in detention room for six days, but denied that he had punched him with his closed fists or that he had fed him only bread and milk during the period of solitary confinement.
 Defense Counsel William B. Han ma, in his closing arguments, stated the case r1arrows down to whether or not reasonable punishment was administered. He stated punishment in an institution should be of great. CT latitude than that adaninistrated by a school teacher because inmates of an institution require the type of supervision they would get in their homes rather than just in school.
 He stated that Holm has an ex- cellent reputation and is held high- ly by trustees and other officials of the school, and that the institution is ready to reinstate him as 8 cot- tage lmaser. Several trustees of the school as well as numerous South bury residents were among those present in the courtroom during the final arguments.
 During one part of the examina- tion of Holm, Judge Cornell inter- rupted to ask whether the discipline inflicted by Holm was his own or the institution's, and Holm replied 1t was his. He also queried him about permission given to other inmates to slap the Smith boy.
 Holm admitted he allowed several other inmates to strike Smith and that he slapped him himself ito show that I was still the boss" He also admitted that he ordered the boy into a shower room and ordered the cold water turned on, but claimed 1t was only for @ few Inin- utes.
 States Attorney William B. FitE- gerald, who prosecuted the charges, stated the corporal punishment was administered after the youth was already taking punishment by con- flnement and termed 1t cruel and brutal. It was pointed out that the institution does not permit corp oral punishment, a fact disclosed yesterday during examination of Ernest Roselle, superintendent.
 The youth was said to have been punished because he ran away from the institution last July. His father complained to authorities that the inside of the boys mouth was bruised and swollen from the heavy blows and that he was bruised from punching. It also was alleged the cold shower was detrimental to the boys health.
 Numerous character witnesses were called to the stand by the defense lawyer today and all testi- fled that Holm is held in high es- teem. During the trial various in- cidents were brought out tending to prove the popularity of the cottage master with other inmates at the institution, and Holm himself des- cribed surprise party the inmates planned on him in appreciation of his service to them.
 Attempts were made yesterday by the defense to have the Smith boy disqualified as witness on the ground he is mentally incapable of answering questions. The jurist or- dered the lawyer to cross-examined him and then ruled that the boy is more qualified to testify than some normal persons"
 Among the states witnesses was William Vendle, former cook at the institution and now with the Mer- chant Marines, who testified he stood outside of the detention room while Holm allegedly beat the Smith boy. He said Holm's knuckles were bleeding when he came out of the room.
 Dr. Herman Yannett, of the in- stitution's medical staff, testified that an examination of Smith sev- eral days after the alleged beating did not disclose any wounds. He stated he was called to examine the youth at the request of vendle and he was concerned mainly with the youths eyes. He was called as a witness by the defense.
 Among the character witnesses were Rev. Duane Wore of South Britain, and Rev. Cornelius Buddy Holm's wife, a matron at the tn- stitution, also took the stand, to testify on her husbands reputation | at the school.