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DEL RAY CASHIER GIVEN SIX YEARS Clay T. Brittle Pleads Guilty to Charges of Larceny of $61,000. Special Dispatch to The Star. ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 8.-Clay T. Brittle, 32, former cashier of the Bank of Del Ray, which closed its doors January 21, last, and is now in the hands of a receiver, entered a plea of guilty to charges of larceny of approximately $61,000 of the bank's funds in Corporation Court here today and was sentenced to serve six years in the State Penitentiary, with the option of serving his time on the State roads. The sentence was announced by Judge Frederick W. Coleman of Fredericksburg. appointed to sit on the case by Gov. Pollard. In presenting the case, Commonwealth's Attorney Albert V. Bryan stated that Brittle had made restitution to the full extent of his ability and that he recommended a sentence of six years be given. Twelve other indictments, found by a special grand jury a few weeks ago, will be nolle prossed, Bryan announced. Entitled to Consideration. In passing the sentence, Judge Coleman said: "The stealing of funds from a bank is a bad crime, but making restitution to the full extent of one's ability and pleading guilty is the best a man can do. To be brave enough to come to court and admit it, a man is entitled to consideration." Brittle was neatly dressed in a light blue linen "suit, blue shirt and dark blue tie. When called to the bar he entered his plea of guilty with a smile on his face. After being sentenced he was taken to the local jail to await removal to the penitentiary at Richmond. Clerk Becomes Nervous. The indictment, charging the larceny of more than $61,000, had to be read to the court and this was started by Earl Sullivan, deputy clerk of the court. When about half-way through, Sullivan faltered, became extremely nervous and had to leave the court room, and the rest of the paper was read by Judge Coleman. Brittle will be eligible to receive 10 days each month off his sentence for good behavior and will be eligible to a pardon after serving one-half of his alloted time. He is married and has two children. His home is at Warrenton, Va., where his parents now live. Only a small audience was present and consisted principally of the 20 veniremen summoned for jury duty and a number of witnesses, besides the lawyers and court attaches. Thirteen Indictments Returned. Brittle was arrested January 29 past, following the closing of the bank by action of the board of directors eight days before. When arrested it was on a warrant charging that he had defrauded the bank of a sum in excess of $60,000. After one night in a cell at local headquarters he was released on $25,000 bond, furnished by friends, which bond was renewed following his indictment by a special grand jury last month. Thirteen indictments, totaling in all approximately 40 counts, were returned against Brittle, all charging larceny, by the special grand-jury a few weeks ago. One indictment alone charged him with larceny of about $61,000. Many of the indictments were on the testimony 01 depositors, a large number of whom were called before the jury. Receiver Appointed. Following the closing of the bank and the subsequent arrest of its cashier, an audit was underway for some time, The State banking authorities then stepped in, as the institution was a State bank, and had Courtland H. Davis of this city appointed receiver for the bank. Some time later à one-third dividend was declared, but no indication as to further dividends has been forthcoming, except the statement by the receiver that only a few thousand dollars are on hand at this time and that what assets the bank has are tied up in real estate. Judge Coleman was appointed to try the case by Gov. Pollard, following a request of Judge William P. Woolls of the local corporation court that he be relieved as he was connected with the bank. The closing of the bank, which was the only one located in Del Ray, formerly in the town of Potomac, out now a part of Alexandria, affected a large number of small depositors, chiefly railroad employes and operators of small business establishments. The audit revealed that the bank's deposits at the time of closing were approximately $100,000.
