Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • 22

THE HARTFORD COURANT: Wxlimday, Octobar 12, 1983 Ex-Football Star at Weaver Helps Rescue Three in Fire By THEODORE A. DRISCOLL Courant Staff Writer leaving a bedroom window as the only exit He said the fire was being investigated as a possible arson. The smoke alarm that Middleton heard melted on the hallway ceiling. Middleton said she leaned her full weight into the bedroom window, popped the storm window, and then passed her two sons down to the wide receiver Tullis and two neighbors who helped him. "I had to get up partially on the window and she dropped the younger boy to me," Tullis said, adding he was then able to reach the leg of the older boy as Middleton lowered him.

Middleton, however, said she was too afraid to jump. 'She was literally stuck inside the window with the smoke pouring out around Tullis said. "The fire was so hot she thought her legs were on fire, she couldn't bear it any longer." Tullis said he ran up to a fire truck as it arrived and grabbed a small ladder and put it up against the building. His first attempt to get the stranded woman failed because the ladder wasn't tall enough, so he, helped firefighters raise a larger ladder. Tullis wasn't at the Dillon Road site Tuesday afternoon.

Instead he was helping coach the football team at Weaver High School where he was graduated in 1972. He also is a substitute teacher at Quirk Middle School. Weaver High School football star Walter Tullis, who now plays professionally for the newly formed UJS. Football League, helped rescue two youngsters and their mother from a smoke-filled apartment early Tues- CTullis, who was visiting his mother on the ground floor of the two-story Hartford Housing Authority apartment at 89 Dillon caught Elmore Middleton, 8, and Edward Haslem, 15, when their mother, Mary Middle-tDn, 33, dropped them from their second-floor bedroom window. The three other families in the two-story building, including the 30-year-old Tullis and his mother, ran outside immediately after the fire was discovered in the basement stairwell shortly before 2 a.m.

But Middleton and her two sons were trapped inside. "I stayed up watching Archie Bunker, Hawaii Five-O, and hemming a pair of Elmore's corduroy Middleton said. "About 10 minutes into Sanford and Son, the alarm went off," she said as she moved things dht of her smoke- and water-stained apartment Tuesday afternoon. "I yelled to the kids and I ran to the door," Middleton said. "Then I say, 'Oh my God, I look out the window and all I cduld see was a.

ball of fire. Everyone else ran out the back way and we were left." Fire Marshal Carl G. Booker said Middleton opened the door to her apartment and fresh air rushed in, spreading the fire and 7" i John Long Ttle Hartford Courant WALTER TULLIS Tullis first saw. action as a professional the Green Bay Packers, for whom he played every game during the 1978 and 1979 seasons. Last year, he played for the New Jersey Generals in the USFL and last month he was signed by the Pittsburgh Maulers in the USFL's expansion draft.

Panel Weighs Limits on Malpractice cap (on judgments), it certainly would have an effect on rates and, therefore, on medical costs." The plan being discussed would put a cap on the amount courts could award in malpractice: Noonan said the idea of a cap on judgments is not new. He pointed to the state's "dram shop act," which places a limit of $20,000 on the liability of a bar owner who serves liquor to someone who is intoxicated and later injures or kills someone. The study committee plans to hold a hearing in November at which lawyers, doctors and insurance company officials will comment on the idea. "You will see an interesting professional confrontation" between doctors and lawyers, Rep. Felix J.

Karsky, D-Hartford, committee co-chairman, "Attorneys will say, 'How can you Eilace limits on an injury if a doc-or fouls up and leaves someone permanently maimed'?" Karsky said the committee decided to study malpractice insurance because of complaints from doctors. "Complaints were expressed by a number of doctors that it was becoming increasingly difficult to get malpractice insurance and if you could get it, it was prohibitively expensive," Karsky said. He said the average malpractice premium is about $30,000 a year. On Oct. 1 malpractice insurance rates went up 15 percent or more for many doctors in the state.

Malpractice rates are most expensive in Fairfield County, with specialists in high-risk areas, such as neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery, paying up. to $41,000 a year in premiums. Home firebombed in Ellington ELLINGTON A Hoffman Road home formerly occupied by a man who had served as a Luftwaffe pilot was firebombed early Tuesday, and Jewish symbols were painted on the house. No one was injured in the fire at the three-story yellow colonial house at 116 Hoffman Road, although four people were in the house when the fire was discovered at 4 am Painted on the house were two Stars of David and the words "Never Again," the slogan of the militant Jewish Defense League, whose founder, Rabbi Meir Kahane, spoke in Hartford Monday night The JDL denied involvement In the attack Tuesday. Dr.

Harold A. Kadish, leader of Ellington's Orthodox Jewish community, said Tuesday he would ask for increased state police patrols of the town's only synagogue as a result of the arson. Police said the fire caused minimal damage to the aluminum-sided house owned by Diane and William M. Hyde. Police said the fire started when two glass bottles, apparently filled with gasoline, were placed alongside the house and ignited by a fuse attached to an unknown charge.

One Star of David, a symbol of the Jewish faith, was painted to the right of the front door. On the left were the words "Never Again." Another Star of David was painted on the right side of the house. Police sources said the telephone line to the home had been cut. Hyde said one of his two daughters had to run to a neighbor's house to report the fire. Ellington Center Fire Chief Jerry B.Connors said Hyde put the fire out with a fire extinguisher.

State police Lt. James W. Shay said during an impromptu news conference Tuesday afternoon his barracks is working with the state Police Major Crimes Squad, the state fire marshal's office and the West Hartford Arson Squad in the investigation. Shay declined to say if police believe the attack might be related to four recent arson attacks on synagogues and Jewish homes in West Hartford or to the Monday speech by Kahane. Speaking at the Hartford Holiday Inn, Kahane criticized the investigations of the West Hartford arsons and advocated creation of a JDL chapter in Connecticut.

Police sources speculated the previous owner of the house, Walter Emmelmann, who moved out in June, was the target of the attack. Shay said police were trying to find Emmelmann. Emmelmann, former president of Plastif oam Corp. of Vernon, served as a Luftwaffe pilot during World War II. A police source said a swastika was painted on Emmelmann's house two years "'-V Emmelmann, a native of Germany who came to the United States in 1957, was a lieutenant in the German air force during World War II, said Sidney Shane, president of Plastif oam, which Emmelmann started 23 years ago.

Kadish said the irebbmbing was committed by someone "to incite anti-Semitic feeling in the community." He said the incident probably was timed to coincide with Kahane's talk. Two Charged in 'Coy dog' Killing MANSFIELD Two University of Connecticut sophomores were arrested Tuesday and charged with killing a dog-coyote crossbreed that was important to complicated genetic experiments at the university. University police said Steven S. McEnerney, 19, of 2 Wilkins Lane, Prospect, and David G. Pervier, 20, of 210 Parkwood Road, Stratford, turned themselves in Tuesday afternoon after police told them warrants had been issued for their arrest.

McEnerney was charged-with first-degree larceny, third-degree criminal trespass, cruelty to animals and unlawful killing of a dog. Pervier was charged with accessory to third-degree criminal trespass and accessory to first-degree larceny, police said. Each was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond and scheduled to appear in Vernon Superior Court Oct. 18. They are charged in last month's killing of a coyote-beagle crossbreed named Julie who was an essential part of a "coydog" genetic chain being studied by graduate student Alice Moon.

University police said McEnerney had told them he went to the coydog kennel to get one of the exotic-looking dogs to bring back to his dormitory, Ellsworth Hall. He climbed a tree near the kennel and hopped over the barbed-wire-topped fence into the enclosure, police said, but when he lifted the top of the animal's cage, she bit him. McEnerney told police he hit the dog on the head with his fist, but an autopsy showed the coydog was choked and killed by a blow to the head, probably caused by a hammer or similar weapon. Police refused to describe Pervier's involvement in the inci-. dent.

Benson Ginsburg, chairman of the biobehavioral sciences department, said Tuesday that he was relieved that suspects in the incident had been He said the department had re-, ceived many telephone calls from people protesting the coydog killing. He has referred the calls to the dean of students office, which is responsible for disciplinary action. If the students are convicted, they will be subject to discipline by a board administering the university's Student Conduct Code, university spokesman Walter S. McGowan said. George Bush To Visit Bridgeport Vice President George Bush will be in Bridgeport Thursday to -attend a fund-raiser for Republican Mayor Leonard S.

Paoletta's re-election campaign. Bush is scheduled to hold a hews conference, at' 4 p.m. at the Bridgeport Sheraton and to address a $125-a-person fund-raising dinner at the hotel at 5 p.m. He also will attend a private $500-a-person cocktail party before the dinner. Bush grew up in Greenwich.

Paoletta, who is seeking a second term, is being challenged by Democrat Charles B. Tisdale; Woman Sentenced in Welfare Fraud A Hartford Superior Court judge Tuesday sentenced a Hartford woman convicted of welfare fraud to five years in prison, suspended after 30 months. Saying, "Welfare-cheats are leeches on the backs of taxpayers," Judge Morgan M. Kline imposed the sentence on Cynthia Josephs, 31, of 197 Collins Hartford. Josephs pleaded guilty Aug.

2 to fraudulently obtaining $16,535 in state aid from 1977 to 1981 for support for her son, -Tyrone Parks, 12. Josephs had told the welfare pffice her son was living with her and attending Vine Street School, Assistant State's Attorney John Malone said. Acting on an anonymous complaint, welfare investigators found that her son was living with relatives in New Jersey, Malone said. Kline ignored the request of Josephs' public defender, Michael Conner, that Josephs be given a suspended sentence and allowed to attempt to make restitution to the state. "It doesn't make the welfare system any better when these welfare cheats take money and walk away," Kline said.

"She's never going to make restitution; her work record is minimal. "She sat for five years and took over $16,000 she wasn't entitled to. I know of very few cases where restitution is Kline said people who defraud the state of welfare money, take from the truly needy. "There areelderly persons who can barely subsist, young children unable to provide for themseves," he said. The maximum prison sentence for fraud in obtaining state aid is 10 years.

Court officials say those convicted of welfare fraud seldom serve time in jail. ers To Aid in Homeless Shelter Rep. John T. Savage, R-Put-nam, said he is glad the committee is looking into the malpractice-insurance issue. Savage, who is on the board of directors of Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, said that about a year ago, five doctors at the hospital were concerned that they would be unable to practice because pending malpractice suits prevented them from obtaining insurance.

While the doctors were later able to get coverage, premiums were high, he said. "There is a lot of power in the hands of insurance companies," he said. "It not just a cost to doctors," Noonan said. "They pass it along (to patients). I don't known of any who swallow it." Any legislation arising from the study would be introduced at the 1984.

session that starts in February. would depend on shelter size. The coalition received $10,000 from developer David Chase. Bronson Hutensky was recruited by Brad, Davis, co-chairman of the Governor's Feed a Friend Operation and a longtime acquaintance of Bronson. Davis, a WDRC-AM radio personality, met with Bronson and Hutensky Monday to discuss the possibility of their involvement in the project.

"We were prepared to be underwhelmed," said Bronson, whose CityPlace tower is the tallest building in the state. The developers said, however, they found themselves getting excited about the idea of setting up a shelter. "Brad made us believers," said Bronson. "He walked us through the concept." Michael Lennahan The Hartford Courant 1 By TOM BARNES Courant Staff Writer "Aa an attempt to control the rising cost of medical care, a General: Assembly panel is considering drafting legislation to limit court judgments in malpractice cases. Because plaintiffs are winning higher malpractice awards, the cost of malpractice insurance is going up sharply, and that cost is being passed on to consumers, members of an Insurance and Real Estate study committee said -aCtheir first meeting Tuesday.

We should address the judg-nfents in malpractice cases. They seem to be astronomical and -climbing higher and higher. May-bet we should have a limit on the judgments," Rep. Gerald M. D-Naugatuck, said.

IJThis is a medical cost containment issue," he said. "If there is a By VIVIAN B. MARTIN Courant Staff Writer fironson Hutensky, developer othe CityPlace office tower in Hertford's downtown, has offered convert the former South Pa(k Methodist Church into a sWHter for homeless people. Although the company has not determined the extent of its involvement with the project, Richard: Bronson said Tuesday he and fartner Allan Hutensky to get involved" with plans for the shelter. UThe city has been good to us," new buildings up, but there are also a lot of destitute people around and it's important not.

to forget them." Bronson said his architectural and construction specialists will go4o the church to assess the best way to go about the project. pother Says )h Innocent In Arson Try i. By JAN TOMAS Courant Correspondent WEST HARTFORD An East Hartford woman testified in court Tuesday that she believes her 27-year-old son is innocent in a scheme to start a fire in her house while five family members were sleeping Feb. 26. She believes another son is guilty, Harriet Sheehan testified.

Tuesday was the first day of in the jury trial of Christopher Sheehan, who is charged with first-degree arson andjive counts of attempted Harriet Sheehan nearly broke dowi when asked by defense attorney Gerald M. Klein of Hart-fo(3 if she had any personal knowledge of who had wired shut doors to the house before pouring gasoline into the basement of her Brjtt Road house. Attempts to ignite: the gasoline failed for unknown reasons, police have said. After groping for the right words, Harriet Sheehan blurted ouf believed her other son, Vincent, had planned the fire. Do I have to go on and testify agSrjnst my son (Christopher) wrfert I know he's innocent?" she Bevelop Bronson Hutensky's involvement, coupled with backing from other prominent businessmen, could allow Hartford Coalition for Emergency Shelters Inc.

to open its shelter before the end of the year. "We're really pleased that Bronson Hutensky are coming on board with us," said coalition president Marea DePinto. DePinto said the group has not begun negotiating with Bronson Hutensky as yet. She said the final project may include a number of partnerships and other individuals. The coalition has an option to Eurchase the former South Park lethodist Church in the South Green neighborhood for $150,000.

The church became vacant three years ago when the congregation merged with another group in Hartford. Today, six different congregations rent church 'UK. space for their services; the coalition would continue to allow them to use the chapel portion of the building. The structure sits in the midst of an area that has attracted a number of speculators and condominium and office developers. Some investors had even tried to buy the church for offices.

The church can hold more than 300 beds, but the coalition had planned to start with a 75-bed shelter for men and women, eventually readying itself to accommodate families. In addition to financing a mortgage, the group, which has raised about $41,000, needs money for staffing and rehabilitation costs. The amount of money needed for rehabilitation will depend on how much work the group decides to do in the building and whether it would be done in phases. Staffing would be an ongoing expense and with his brother in his father's van in the parking lot of Fox Run Mall in Glastonbury Monday. "He told me if I came in and confessed I did it, he could get off and I'd be let loose with a lecture," Vincent Sheehan testified.

Christopher Sheehan is on probation for second-degree larceny in a car theft for which he received an 18-month suspended sentence. "I said I'm not taking the rap for nobody," Vincent Sheehan told the court. Under questioning by State's Attorney James Thomas, Shee- han's father, C. Vincent Sheehan, 1 counts of attempted family's house were sleeping murder in a scheme to set his on fire while five family members Feb. 26.

Vincent Sheehan points out his brother, Christopher, in Superior Court Tuesday. Christopher Sheehan is charged with first-degree arson and five testified that he was awakened about 4:20 a.m. Feb. 26 by his wife, who smelled gasoline: The father said he found the front and rear doors of the house wired shut and eventually forced open the front door. The state believes Christopher Sheehan, who was living in Lebanon at the time of the arson attempt, poured gasoline into the cellar of the house and wired the doors shut to imprison those sleeping insider his parents, his brother, his sister, Linda Poor, and her husband, Daniel Poor.

asked Superior Court Judge Morgan Kline. The judge told her she must testify to the facts as she knows them. The family has insisted since Christopher Sheehan's arrest that he is innocent. They have said the suspect has restricted use of his fingers because of a 1981 kidnapping attempt in which his assail-tants hacked at his hands with an Vincent Sheehan testified Tuesday that Christopher had asked him Monday to confess to the crime. Vincent Sheehan said he met.