Daily Kennebec Journal

Anson Man Sentenced To Jail on Charge Of Drunken Driving

Harry Leighton of Anson was before Judge Maurice P. Merrill at a hearing held in Anson while under the influence of intoxicating liquor to which charge the respondent pleaded guilty.

Deputy Sheriff Elmer Adams of Madison, who made the arrest was asked to tell his story and stated that he endeavored to assist the respondent all he could and took him to Madison to get bonds there, that Leighton went into one place and came back to the machine alright, and that he took him to another place and let him go in to ascertain if he could get bonds there, and that after waiting a long time he went in and found that Leighton had skipped him. Mr. Adams said he then went to their home and saw Mrs. Leighton who seemed to be honest and said when Mr. Leighton came home she would have him go to Adams' house and give himself up which he did Sunday morning. Mr. Edgerly was questioned about the accident that led up to the arrest of Mr. Leighton. Mr. Edgerly said he was run into at about 7.30 Saturday night by Mr. Leighton who came onto Edgerly's right hand side of the road, and both were driving Ford cars and that his (Edgerly's) car was all smashed up. Deputy sheriff Ira Durgin of Anson who saw the arrest was questioned and told of the evidence of Leighton being under the influence of intoxicants and said that at first Leighton said he was on his right side of the road which was wide but afterward Leighton said he guessed he was on the left hand side. Judge Merrill questioned Leighton about his family who said besides his wife there were five and that he cared for his wife's father who is helpless. Judge Merrill pronounced the following sentence, a fine of $200 and cost of $31.57 and 30 days in the county jail and in default of payment of fine and cost 60 days additional in jail, and if appeal was taken the bond was set at $500. Mr. Leighton pleaded with Judge Merrill to remove jail sentence so he could continue working, but Judge Merrill said he could not do it but told Leighton he had a right to appeal to supreme court at January term and see what action a supreme judge would take, but after considering for a brief time Leighton decided to abide by the sentence pronounced by Judge Merrill and was committed.