The Miami times., 1952-11-22

Judge l.. +. Thomas Munlclpal
Court this Monday morning when
an amazing total of 1877 cases was
listed for trial on the official
docket for the day. 1t was one OF
those days, the like of which has
not been witnessed in quite some
time, and one that will long be
remembered in the minds of these
who attended the session.
Court was called to order
promptly at $50 am. by Court
Clerk Forrest Reynolds, and with
the exception of Is minute re-
cess. il was in continuous session
until 2:40 that afternoon, when the
final case was disposed of for the
day.
There were actually so many
cases that warranted special men
ton. that it was difficult to de-
eide which ones should take the
preference. At the close Of the
session. the Bailiff, Officer Clyde
Lee, and his assistant, Ottlcer
James Washington, both showed
signs of tireneSs - Lee from call
ing the cases and bringing up the
defendants for trial, and Wash
ington from eScorting those VINO
have been sentenced to the anter-
room to await transportation 10
jail.
The case of Lemon Harris of
3637 Frow Ave, Coconut Grove,
who was charged with assault
and battery on his wife, Susie, and
with unlawful possession OF lot
terry tickets, came in for consid-
erable attention of the over-ca-
pacity courtroom. According 10
charges made by Mrs. Harris, her
husband. jumped on her and beat
her up severely last Sunday after
noon. at their home, shortly after
she had returned from work. She
told the court that the husband
had no real reason for mainland
ling her, as she had been gooo
wife. She also told the court that
Harris threw their lS-year-old
daushter's clothes out in the yard
during the fracas. She explained
that her greatest regret was the
fact that several of her daughter
friends and classmates saw the
incident and she feared that they
would tease the daughter at
school.
In his defense, Harris told the
court THAI the whole disturbance
came about because he wanted
his wife to cook some biscuits 1oA
him. and she refused TO do SO -
explaining that their daughter
could not cook the biscuits the
way he liked them. He regretted
the fact that he lost his head and
did several things for which ne
was sorry. Mrs. Harris also told
the court. that there was another
woman at the bottom Of the whole
disturbance. but Harris would not
comment on this charge.
After very stern warning
Judge Thomas fined Harris $50 or
20 DAYS on the assault ano oaf-
tery charge, and gave him S1s-
pended sentence on the other
charge,
What was probably the heavl-
es, fine of the day, was that Levi
ed against Charles Bene6y, who
was charged with assault and
battery on Ruth SPAIN. Testimony
in the case presented by Ofticer
Bowen. disclosed that Miss Sphsn
was heard screaming II & very
loud voice about 5 o'clock Sunday
morning at her home 1882 NV
4th court. Bowen said he and his
partner Officer Collie, were IN the
vicinity of the home, heard the
screams and investigated. He eX-
planned further that Miss Sphsn
told them that BeDeby had come
10 her aoar7nent where she was
alone, and demanded that she let
him in. When Sne refused. ne
threatened TO kick the door In
Fearing the worse. she opened the
door and let him II. Once inside,
Beneby proceeded 10 beat her $lp
severely about the head and face
She VS. forced 70 scream for
helm. When the officers arrived
she told them 10 arrest Beneby on
the charges stated, but IL court
Monday morning, she 6id . pref
" good 5ob Of talking him cut
Actually, Miss Sphan appeared sC
not want 10 press any charges.
and If il had not been Tor the OF
ficerS testimony, Beneoy may
have walked out Of court 3 free
man. Benehy and Miss Sphan had
obviously made up by time the
case was tried Monday. But that