The New York herald., 1878-11-08
WHO KILLED MDERMOTT?

MICHAEL RoFLINo DENIES THE CHARGE OF
MURDER--ANorHER ITALIAN ARRESTED ON
sUsPICIoN--wHAT THE NEIGHBoRs SAY.
Coroner Ellinger notified early yesterday morn
ing of the murder of Thomas McDermott which took
place Wednesday night at No. Is Roosevelt street, and
yesterday at the Fourth precinct station house. where
the body now lies, several witnesses were examined
but the formal investigation Of the took place in
the Coroner's private office. Captain Petty and De-
tective Carr took Michael RoAno, who is suspected Of
the murder. before tho Coroner.
The first witness examined was John Mcdonnell. OF
No. 422 Pearl street. He said that he passing
the aeyway at No. Is Roosevelt street he heard cries
for helps the outer door was locked but was opened
. minute later by Rofino; witness then saw man
lying on the floor and Burke was standing by him he
heard McDermott gasping for breath and discovered
that he was stabbed near the heart. Mcdonnell also
stated that McDermott died before Officer Barrows
arrived but this not he died in the station
house.
BuRKEs STATEMENT.
William Burke, Of No. VI Roosevelt street. who was
with McDermott all the evening and at whose house
deceased lodged was the next witness examined. He
and McDermott. he said. had been drinking together
and NJ they were about to leave the hallway found
the alleyway door locked. It soon opened and
he passed out first. followed by Rohino and McDer-
two men, but heard afterward that McDermott was
stabbed.
Michael Rofno told very plausible story. intimat
ing that it was not he who stabbed McDermott. but
Burke.
Thepoce Of the Fourth precinct were busy yesterday
working up the case. From q statement made by one
Rosy Rocant of No. 16 Roosevelt street. italian rag
picker who boarded there, and whose name Ia Michael
Marmora, was strongly suspected. The woman stated
that she the accused running away from the scene
of the murder. His story accords with one told by
saw tall Italian run out Of the hallway toward the
river. The police traced him to Brooklyn. and about
noon yesterday captured him in O. barn in Adams
street. He and Rofino were committed BY the Coro-
ner await the result Of the inquest and Burke
sent to the House of Detention
Yesterday forenoon italian boy. who lives with
Marmora at No 16 Roosevelt street. caught by the
police and sent to the House Of Detention. He says
that he saw his companion stab McDermott in the
SCENE OF THE MURDER
No. 1S Roosevelt street Is two story brick build.
Gnadegie and Rofino The former makes plaster Of
Paris images and the latter keeps grocery store The
sas beer vendsrs IKE hallway in which the murder
was committed leads from the street to the yard in
the rear and is dark even in. the daytime About
twenty feet from the hall door is rickety pair Of
stairs, down which Burke and McDermott walked arm
In arm. They left Burkes house ut about eight
O'Clock and half hour later entered the hallway
and went up stairs to the front room. An Italian
named Casse, who sells stale beer in this room says
that when the two men came In they were intoxicated
two cents After drinking both went down stairs and
Casse says that he heard no
The Italian who works the plaster OF Paris images
stated to HERALD reporter that at about nine o'clock
on Wednesday night two men staggered down stairs
and minute or 80 later he heard row in the hall
way He did not 90 out, as fights were of frequent
occurrence in the building. few minutes later
boy whom he employed said that he heard somo one
groaning and crying for help. but even then he did
not go out. as he thought 1t must be some drunken
row.
"a STRAIGHTFORWARD FELLOW"
Jryrl xvifo ~ t,o maj RurE vnn Ia oil m
a Witness stated that she knew McDermott to be
straightforward fellow, and that he had three little
children, two Of thon living with the Sisters Of
Mercy and the other in house on Lexington avenue
She said that he used to visit his children once
month"; and would always take them some little pres
ent McDermott came in with Burke at about six p
M. Wednesday and sat down in chair. Mrs.
Burke not in the at the time. but she said
her little boy told her about McDermott's talking
strange and imagining that he saw man outside the
door" Mrs. Burke had interview with her hus-
band yesterday.
The inquest win be held next Saturday at two P. NJ