Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-05-22


Tn. Murder In sIoIRy-The Corrupt judge.
Toward the middle ofthe last century q
daring murder was committed in coffee
house in valletta, Sicily, by young man,
the son ofpeople In respectable circumstances
who having words with another, on very
slight proYocation, drew out a knife and
st tibbed him mortally; he then made his escape,
but was captured next day by officers of the
police. Notwithstanding the testimony Of
several witnesses to the fact and other con-
vincing circumstantial evidence against him,
the prisoner persisted (indeed his only feasi-
Bile defensel in denying his having been the
person who had inflicted the wound he even
underwent the torture Of the cavalletto,
without coming to a confession. Notwith-
standing this pertiuacity, the presiding judge,
satisfied by the evidence brought forward
condemned him to death. Petitions and sup
plications were made TO no purpose to the
Judge for his intercession with the Grand
Master, and to the Prince himself for pardon.
The time allotted being expired, the criu-
inal as is the custom in Malta, was removed
three days previous to execution intotbe con-
demned chapel, where, with spiritual adviser,
people in that unhappy situation pass the few
sad minutes remaining to them, in the offices
ofpreparing themselves, by compunction and
prayer, for that pardon in the next world,
from which human policy excludes them in
this.
Two ofthcse trying days had passed, when
the father of the criminal, pursuading HIM
self that even yet pardon might be obtained
for his son, could he but succeed in engaging
the influence Of the judge who had con-
rdemned him, in his favor, on the evening
preceding the day on which the sentence was
to be carried into execution, presented him
self, Just as it darkened, at the door of the
functionary. Admittance was at first refused
but a douceur to the servant soon opened
both the door and ear of the Judge to the
supplicant. -.
An abrupt negative had already been given
in terms the most unequivocal, when the dis
tressed parent taking from under his cloak
bag containing one thousand Maltese crowns
"a large sum for the time and place-put it
on the table, giving the judge to understand
that double that amount would be forthcom-
ing in the event of pardon being granted to
his unhappy son. The judge remained for
several minutes silent and absorbed in
thought; at length he told the father in allow
voice. but plain terms, that late as it was, and
difficult from that and other circumstances,
he would still, though the result was far from
certain, do his best to avert the cruel doom
impending over the young man. After lit
tie further consideration he dismissed him
with an order of admission toe the prison,
where, under pretext Of taking last leave o.
his child, he was to devise some plan o.
getting the priest out of the way and detain.
ing him as long as possible, in order to leave
the judge sufficient time TO complete design
which he had already conceived.
Somewhat consoled, and relying on thu
Judges ingenuity, the father retired. Com
plying with the directions given him, he saw
his son, engaged the priest to carry him home
and keep him occupied in discourse until h'
had found time to carry his plan, whatever i
might be into effect.
The Judge, in the meantime, eager to in.
sure the remainder of the sum promised, had
fornnad his nr0aet. annlicafi0n IN late IN the
Prince he knew was not only useless; but
might bring dscredit and suspicion on him.
self, as he had reported the case from the
commencement as one calling for severe
and awful example. Sending for the jailor
who kept watch over the prisoner during
the night, and was considered as sufficien
guard, from the latter being heavily ironed
and the chapel within the prison walls, wher,
single call would Immediately bring effect
ual assistance, he pretended to have still SON,
doubt respecting the guilt of the young man
and feigned himself anxious to know if h
the disclosure made his spiritual adviser
being, as our readers are aware, under tn
sacred seal of confession, never in the mos
distant manner to allude to, much less to
divulged, without mourning the guilt Of sac
rilege. .,.r,4nH r.f.'I.rH
Having heard the mans reply, the jndg,
under pretense Of retiring TO his library
the room, directing him on no account
move from the spot before his return. Th
done, he lost not an instant in proceeding I
the prison. entering the chapel, he told Il
young man, who he found in a state of mel
tai agitation, wavering between the fear
approaching death and the hope, slight as
was, held out to him by his father, that the
was still a chance of safety for him, provide
he complied Immediately and exactly vii
his directions-"I am now about" so he sal
ITO release you from your fetters but yC
must be aware that in an island so limited
extent as that of Malta, there is not Il
slightest chance Of your escaping the Wig
ance and research Of the officers of justiC
alert as they will naturally be the insta
you are found missing from these walls; tax
therefore, this dagger" and he drew one fro
under his vest, proceed instantly to the CT
fee-house in which you committed the mt
der-it is not late and you will certain
find people there at this hour-enter bold
take good care that you are seen and +,
ognized by all present. resolutely plunge I
weapon into the body Of the person near
you, and Immediately escape, leaving I
rest to me; but recollect everything depen
on your dexterity and dispatch"
The criminal, though Just trembling on
verge Of eternity, and fresh from the pic
exhortations of a minister that God who
laws he had already so grossly and heinoui
offended, readily consented, at the suggcsti
Of the willy judge, to cover himself from I
consequences Of one murder by the comm
sion of another still more atrocious. He to-
the knife and left the chapel. His Internal q
wiser remained behind in q state Of ankle
and agitation; few minutes relieved HI
from his suspense; the coffee-house was n
far distant from the quarter in which I
prison was situated The young man
turned confused and trembling, as persons
cent from the commission of any dreadful