The New York herald., 1879-09-19
PORCELLO ON TRIAL.

TESTIMONY OF MEN WHO SAW HIM KILL Bo-
LENDER-oPENING FOR THE DEFENCE
francesca Porcello, the Italian who killed Michael
Bolender q foreman in Slausson L. Co.'s candy
store in Dey street. the Gath of july placed
on trial yesterday in the Court of General Sessions
Assistant District Attorney Rollins appearing for the
prosccu ution and Messrs. w. +. KNITTING and James
Mcclelland for the defence. As Mr.. Rollins pro-
ceeded to open the tho prisoner manifested
great uneasiness. The facts of the alleged murder
have already been fully set forth. The first wit
ness called was Theresa Bolender, the widow of
tho deceased. Her testimony unimportant
Austin NJ Slausson then testified that Bolender
in the employ of the firm for thirteen years. His
position was that Of foreman of the gum drop de-
partment Power was given him either to M
ploy to discharge any Of his subordinates.
Porcello was engaged to work in his depart
,nent in the month Of July. 1876 and was
discharged on the 1st Of January, 1877. He
was re-engaged in July. 1878. and retained for
year. He was quiet steady, skilful workman.
After July the ,t OF great many nahas % ARE are
said, re-employ tho old hands in preference
to others. From the testimony of Edward Meeting,
foreman OF the cream candy department 1t appeared
that Bolender was the last man to leave the manu-
factory on the evening in question, walking out
with witness and William Roberts. of the hands,
at six minutes past six O'Clock AS they went up the
west side Church street Bolender in the middle.
When they arrived ut the northwest OF Church
and Fulton streets Porcello jumped from behind
pillar Of the Metropolitan Elevated Railroad seized
Bolender with his left hand. and. hourishing long
knife. swung his victim around. At that instant
the fatal plunge Of the knife made the blade
entering Bolender's heart. The assassin released
his hold and Bolender fell dead the sidewalk.
Porcello did not away but gazed with fixed eyes
on his PROSTATE form Then brandishng tho knife,
which was covered with blood he walked slowly up
Fulton street toward Broadway. In reply to Mr..
Kintzing. cross-exnminaton. the witness stated
that as Bolender reached the northwest corner Of
Church and Fulton streets he looked his
shoulder and laughed and that the attack followed
almost Immediately
Valentine Steitz. the foreman Of the lozenge de-
Porcello say in the Twenty-seventh precinct sta
tion house, me kille him." Deputy Coroner
Cushman testified that examining the deceased
he found that the blade with which the first wound
was made prevented from entering the
body by rib. The second and fatal cut
extended downward to and through the heart.
Officer William Londrigen. Of the Twenty seventh
police precinct stated that he about to arrest
him Porcello mado several lunges with his knife.
He struck by man in the crowd. but still held
on the weapon and inflicted cut tho hand OF
witness before 1t could be taken away. Porcello's
fingers had to be struck severely before he surren-
dered the knife. colored porter. employed at the
testified that Porcello seen in that vicinity some
twenty minutes before six o'clock until Bolender
came in vew He then concealed bimsef.
This was the case for the prosecution. In opening
for the defence Mr.. Knitting said he had perfect
defence namely. that OF insanity. He said that
were starving He claimed that Bolender had wit
tingly refused to give him work when he had OPP
portunity to do so. Further hearing OF the case
was adjourned to this morning.