New-York tribune., 1868-04-18
THE DIAMOND MURDER.

We give elsewhere an extended examination
of the case of Ratsky, now in State Prison for
life on conviction of the murder of Sigismund
Fellner, in Brooklyn, in 1861. laudable effort
is in progress to procure Ratsky's pardon; ana
a thorough review Of the documents induces
lis to join in the recommendation. There are
many very strong points in favor OF the lnno-
cence of Ratsky. He was slight young man,
weak from disabled arm; the man killed
was stout and hearty, and of unusual strength.
The two were fast friends, and no sign
of ill-feeling ever was shown by either.
The murder is said to have been done
under circumstances of time and place
not only preposterous, but impossible
we mean that the job could never have
been done within the time sworn to after the
two left No. 45 East Broadway. and Ratsky's
appearance at No. 8 Carroll-st in Brooklyn.
The wounds could not possibly have been
made as alleged by the prosecution. No man ever
stabbed victim twenty-five times when two or
three blows would have done the work. Ratsky
could have had no motive save robbery, and
vet he leaves S11O, in gold, in the victims
pocket and takes home bundle and cane that
are hardly worth carrying No particle OF
Fellners property save the bundle and cane
was ever traced to Ratsky. He had no defense
mot witness was called in his behalf !;
the men 0hey do not deserve the name
of lawyers) who appeared for him,
after some unimportant cross-questioning
raised as their defense" the question of
jurisdiction. They were Overruled, and the
verdict amounted pretty nearly to judgment
by default. Even the Judge did not know the
.IzI nat md
Ratsky to death when he could only send him
to State Prison, there to await for one year
the decision of the Governor whether he should
be executed or locked up for life. Had the
will of the Court been carried out we should
have had no occasion to intercede for Ratsky
While this victim goes to the State Prison,
those who doubtless did the deed Except the
one who committed suicide in the station
house,, go free. 1t is possible that Mrs Marks
and her dead sister did not actually do the
work but there are ten reasons against them
where one points to Ratsky. If Ratsky's
flight indicates guilt what is to be inferred
from Miss Phaum's suicide If his poverty is
against him, no dollar of Fellners property
having been traced to him, what of Mrs. Marks's
sudden change from abject indulgence to gaudy
extravaganza and dress, just as she was start
ing for California; 1t Is not for us to say that
these women were the murderers. They. were
Fellner's intimate friends; he had made
one his favorite mistress, and she
said promised to marry her. He had said
that he was going West, and naturally their
fine times with his money were drawing to a
close. When the body was found they did all
they could, by bribery and otherwise, to keep
other parties from going to identify It, show
ing that they at least suspected it might be
him. They went to Brooklyn and took what
they pleased from his trunks, and when finally
arrested, one-as we have said-killcd herself,
the other affected to be crazy, and is now
Haunting as the keeper of a house of ill-fame
in California
We trust that Gov. FentOn will give this
case an early and careful study, and we shall
feel disappointed if he does not conclude that
Justice demands the immediate release of Ignatz
Ratsky.