A jury of five men and one woman acquitted Jacob Bronstein, proprietor of Jake's Smoke Shop,  35 S. Grouse ave., of the charge of possessing a gambling device before Judge Truman R. Preston in the Court of Special Sessions yesterday afternoon.

Bronstein's was one of several cases resulting from a story in the Summer Orange, Syracuse University paper, charging payoffs on pinall machines and one so-called fishbowl.

Five other cases are scheduled for trial Monday, but in view of he decision in this case, it is not certain that the others will be tried.  Defendants in other cases include Frederick Coon of Geddes R.D. 2; Melvin Lessen ot 239 Felows av.; Thomas Controy of 100 Morningside ter.; Leon Ellis of 943 S. Crouse av, and William Tucker of 136 Ross pk., who was charged with having the fishbowl.

Paul R. Shanahan, attorney for Bronstein, challenged Assistant District Attorney Russell Harringon to play the pinball machine in court.

Paul R. Shanahan, attorney for Bronstein, challenged Assistant District Attorney Russell Harringon to play the pinball machine in court. Shanahan said the defendant would accept a verdict of guilty if Harrington could get a free game on the machine. Harrington said he wouldn't know how to play the machine if he tried.

Harrington attacked Shnnahan's questionlng of George Snyder and Arthur Kranish, student reporters.  He told the jury it is necessary to stamp  out gambling devices that "are plastered over the commuity."  My taking an interest, he said, persons like the members of the Jury "can prevent use of these machines by grammar school kids." Shanahan protested against talk about grammar school children.

from Syracuse Herald-Journal, Thursday, November 11, 1948, page 4

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