Last week's column featured the tragic story told in a banner headline of the Jan. 18, 1927 edition of the Attleboro Sun concerning an evening of friendly boxing matches in which a group of young area men took part. An unfortunate result was the death of Roy Brady, 22, as a result of a punch thrown by Clarence Doucette, 17, both North Attleboro men.
The district attorney lodged a charge of technical manslaughter against Doucette. Below is the follow-up to that story:
Court Finds Brady Died Amid Friendly Boxing Bout
Clarence Doucette, 17, of 44 River St. North Attleboro, was found not guilty and discharged in District Court this morning on a complaint charging manslaughter as a result of the death of Roy Brady, 22, of 40 Moran St. last Wednesday night following a friendly boxing match in which the two engaged at the Junior Order of Moose headquarters in North Attleboro.
Judge Estes did not require the government represented by Assistant District Attorney Frank E. Smith of Taunton to put in all the testimony which the 13 youthful witnesses of the affair could give. After several had testified, it was agreed by attorney Smith that from his investigation all of the witnesses would be telling practically the same story, and on the face of the evidence it was apparent that the unfortunate affair was purely an accident, with no ill will between the participants.
Doucette was congratulated by a group of friends, including one particular girlfriend who watched the proceedings with grave concern. He was represented by attorneys Joseph E. Gaynor and Frederick E. Bartlett. The first witness, Harry Mullen, 14, of Plainville, told of the group discussing boxing in a pool room last Wednesday night, after which they adjourned to the Moose club where several impromptu matches were arranged. He stated three bouts passed without event, prior to the fourth which proved fatal to Brady. The action was slow with Doucette holding a slight edge in the first round, in which Brady slipped down once from a punch on the jaw, but got up almost immediately. The second round saw Doucette charge Brady, once again connecting with his jaw. Though apparently a light blow, Brady went down and out. Mullen helped pick Brady up and brought him to the office of Dr. Bullard. Mullen stated there was no ill feeling between the youths, and that all the bouts had been on a friendly basis. The bout started when Brady said, "I'll put 'em on with you for a couple of rounds" to Doucette.
Under cross examination, Mullen told Gaynor that James McCloskey was timekeeper and that one of the group acted as referee.
"The two were good friends," witness Mullen said, completing his testimony.
Lester McNulty, 23 of 62 Orne St., said he was playing pool and not closely watching, as nothing seemed out of the ordinary about the bout. He saw Doucette counterpunch Brady after an exchange, and the unfortunate youth went down from a short jab, but rose at the count of four. In the second round, once again Brady took a short jab, and this time stayed there to the count of 10. Getting to his feet, Brady started to walk to his corner and fell again, but was helped to his chair. Doucette approached him to shake hands, but being dazed, Brady failed to see him. McNulty told of putting water on Brady's head and reviving him for a minute, but he soon again lapsed into unconsciousness, at which time he was taken to the office of Dr. Bullard.
Edward McCretton, 18, of 71 Commonwealth Ave., said he boxed two rounds with a youth named Bishop in the evening's third bout, and related his impressions of the Brady-Doucette match. He stated that the third punch in the first round put Brady down, but he got up quickly though apparently dazed. A minute and a half into the second round, Doucette hit Brady on the chin and he was knocked out; he was revived with cold water, but collapsed again and fell off his chair.
Patrolman John Brown of North Attleboro identified the boxing gloves which he said were turned over to him by Clarence Doucette. Detective Lt. Frank Hale of the state police stated he had investigated the matter for the state boxing commission and found that the club had not been conducting any formal exhibitions, but that the boys had met informally and arranged the sparring matches. He advised the youngsters to be careful if they boxed in the future to have a clear space where there would not be danger of them striking against any objects if they fell, and also to closely watch that no one was unevenly matched.
Although a simple night's diversion went horribly wrong, it would seem that at least in this case, Justice certainly did prevail and I have no doubt that Clarence Doucette carried Roy Brady in his heart and mind over the rest of his life.
The entertainment industry lost a pair of giants this past week with the deaths of Robin Williams and Lauren Bacall - may they rest in peace.
Please be good to one another out there, and make the Golden Rule your personal credo. Peace.
