The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-09-05
THE BROOKLYN MURDER.

Conclusion of the Coroner's Inquest in
the Torrina Case-Verdict OF the Jury
San Ftllipo and Mandalla Held rs Ac-
eessories to the Crime.
The inquest, before Coroner L. Augustus White
ill, touching the mysterious murder OF Salvatore
Torrina the Italian who was found dying In
vacant lot on the line OF Bedford avenue, near the
intersection OF Hayward street, on tne night OF
August L. from the effects OF fourteen wounds in
various parts OF the body, was concluded last
evening at the Sixth sub-precinct station house.
There have been seven men in custody, who were
arrested on suspicion OF being implicated in the
murder, all OF whom earnestly protested their
innocence OF the charge, and complained bitterly
Of the injustice Of the authorities in OBTAINING
them 80 long from their families and business.
they are all poor, however, and, being without
lnauence, we're denied the right OF an early exam
nation, and their discharge from custody II shown
- be innocent, as they claimed to be. The evil
dence elected has been far from sustaining iota
Of proof against three OF the prisoners, though
Shere are certain suspicious circumstances which
70 TO show that San Flipo was intimate with
Salvatore Torrina, and that he was one OF the oc-
cupants Of the counterieIters' den, No. 6s Frank
lin avenue. from July up to the day OF the death
Of the victim. When on the witness stand last
week he testified he had never been in Brooklyn
IN his lie, although several witnesses identihed
him one OF the Italians who occupied that
house Brien, the man who kept the oyster
saloon on Flushing avenue, in which deceased
partook OF oysters an hour before his DEATH ident
hes positively HOLLYWOOD and Donohue as the two
men who were with Torrina Witnesses have
clearly proved aliDi in the case OF both OF the
latter famed men. MandalIa swears that he was
not In Brooklyn on the night OF the murder, and
there is no evidence TO show that he was. The
Coroner said that he had become satisfied that
Pasqua Parsaquala, who was arrested by Detec-
tive Van Wagon on Monday last, was OF no use
whatever to the case as witness, and he ordered
that the prisoner De discharged rom custody
forthwith. Peter Quinn, fifteen years age. testi
hed that he had frequently gone on errands for
BOrOnio and Torrina to the house OF the latter IN
Monroe street; there was young man, an Italian,
ut tnat house who acted as a servant Ior deceased:
the last time witness him was about three
months ago; was sure that this man was not Man
daa; this was at No. SO some street, but he did
not remember tue name.
The Coroner remarked that they had n OF known
pf this latter man before and juryman said IL
would be well to have an oticer accompany the
10y to New York 10 have him point out the house.
Witness also said that Torrina lived In James
street; went with Torrina 70 act az interpreter
At this juncture the prisoner Parsaquala was
ushered into the presence Of the jury, handcufed,
and looking careworn and haggard. The Coroner
ordered that the irons be taken on the wrists OF
the prisoner, which done. He then, through
An Interpreter. informed the poor fellow that
HIS ARREST WAS ALL A MISTAKE,
and he was nc longer wanted. The released man
went on his way rejoicing.
Henry Page, recalled, testified that he never
worked at the Raritan Woonen MILLS New Jersey.
nor did he know anybody there TO whom he could
refer to identify his having been there looking for
WORK on the 12tn Of August, when he was IN COM
pany with Felix Hollywood.
lie Coroner said they mad telegraphed to the
roprietor oil the Rar1tan Mil TO ascertain whether
Page and Hollywood had been there looking for
work the day they claim. The proprietors did
not remember their calling at the mills, but as
there were SO many persons constantly looking for
work there, they might be mistaken. The Coro-
ner then proceeded TO review the testimony In
briei, calling attention 10 the more salient points
thereof aud at quarter past nine the Jury re-
ured 10 deliberate upon their verdict With re-
gard TO tue testimony Of OiBrien, who identified
HOilYWOO1 and DOnOnup. he said IL but To
state tnat OBuen had been in the PeDitentiary,
MI alDls mad been proved in their case, II the
tther witnesses were TO be believed.
Inc Jury brought in their verdict at ten O'Clock,
nnulng tnat "salvadore Torrina came to his
neatn AT The hands OF parties unknown, and that
rortunatus Mandalla and Francisco san FillipO
mere accessories Both prisoners were held, and
Whitenlll discharged Donohue, O'Brien and HoIly-
.Wo0d rom custody.