The Brockport Murder Dog Trial

In the summer of 1936, fourteen-year-old Maxwell Breeze was playing in the waters of the Erie Canal in Brockport when a dog jumped into the canal and climbed his back, and the boy drowned. The owner of the dog was served notice to appear at a hearing, at which time a trial was set to determine if the dog should be put down. The unusual case captivated the nation as newspapers from coast to coast covered the story, Paramount Pictures dispatched The Eyes and Ears of the World to film the events and a media circus descended on the quiet village. During the trial, more than thirty witnesses were called, including a national expert brought in to evaluate the canine defendant, which journalists referred to as the most talked-of dog on earth. Authors Bill Hullfish and Laurie Fortune Verbridge reveal the bizarre incident, trial and spectacle that came to Brockport.

In the summer of 1936, fourteen-year-old Maxwell Breeze was playing in the waters of the Erie Canal in Brockport when a dog jumped into the canal and climbed his back, and the boy drowned. The owner of the dog was served notice to appear at a hearing, at which time a trial was set to determine if the dog should be put down. The unusual case captivated the nation as newspapers from coast to coast covered the story, Paramount Pictures dispatched "The Eyes and Ears of the World" to film the events and a media circus descended on the quiet village. During the trial, more than thirty witnesses were called, including a national expert brought in to evaluate the canine defendant, which journalists referred to as "the most talked-of dog on earth." Authors Bill Hullfish and Laurie Fortune Verbridge reveal the bizarre incident, trial and spectacle that came to Brockport.

A dog is on trial for murder. After hearing the evidence, the audience is asked to vote. Appendix includes discussion questions and glossary.

Can a dog be convicted of murder? Twelve-year old Peter demands justice after a huge dog attacks his best friend, who was swimming in the canal. Though he couldn't save him, Peter vows to get even in the courtroom. After conflicting testimony and surprise evidence, his doubts mount. Justice is served, but not the way Peter expects. The fictional chapter book is inspired by a 1936 landmark court case in upstate New York. Geared to readers eight to twelve.

Consists of court records, proceedings, and transcripts of testimony of the trial of Crow Dog for murdering Chief Spotted Tail.

A fascinating addition to any criminal law history library or collection, this book will likely be perused often. With a new introduction by Bryan A. Garner, President, LawProse, Inc. [1-2 new introduction], 292 pp. Originally published: Boston: The Christopher Publishing House, 1949. Monteleone was a police officer with thirty-two years of service throughout the United States. He compiled this collection of words and phrases used by the "gangster, tramp or hobo" over the course of a career that spanned the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Both instructive and amusing, it contains hundreds of entries relating to criminal matters of the time, such as "Academy" (a jail), "Across the River" (dead), "Grease the Track" (to fall under a moving train), "Looseners" (prunes), "Sprinkle the Flowers" (to distribute bribes), "Suey Bowel" (A Chinese opium den), "Write Short Stories" (to forge checks) and "Zib" (an easy victim). Also includes a table of hobo code symbols.