Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-10-08
THE LENTINI CASE.
WHO KILLED MRS. FRoAI AS MUCH
A MYSTERY as EVER.
The Testimony Of VIM. RaffetY Assailed
all Along the Line-case to be
Argued To-day.

Lentini murder case was resumed before Judge NC
Farland in Department Two of the Superior Court
Antonio Ardezzi, brother of the murdered wom-
an, said he was well acquainted with Salvatore
Troai Visited at his place quite frequently during
the life of Mrs. Troa, and SO far as he knew they
lived together quite happily. Never knew OF their
having any family auarrels.
Mrs. White recaIled-she could not gay that any
thing was said in her presence, on the way to
Troais house, the evening of the murder, concern
ing the guilty party.
Miss scanlan recalled-Witness stated that there
was nothing said as TO who committed the murder
that is, that she could remember. To the defense
she stated that something might have been said at
that time.
Mrs. J. c. Giovanessi-Live in Stockton; knew
Mr.. and Mrs. Troai. Whenever they came to Stock
ton they visited me. Don't know exactly how Troai
treated his wife.
x. w. Robb ns-This witness was called to tes.
tfy as TO the effects of charges of shot fired at diff
ferent distances. Made experiments at the sugges-
ton Of counsel for the prosecution Witness showed
two targets made BY his gun at feet distance, two
at Is feet and two at 60 feet The patterns showed
that the gun used remarkable for its scattering
powers.
To juror-Do not knew what effect q shot from
a bored-out rife would have.
Cross-examined- Have purchased two breech and
several muzzle leaders within the past two years
The charge fred at eight feet consisted of Il
drachms OF powder, and what supposed to be half
an ounce Of shot did not measure it. Never knew
a gun TO be tested with such a charge never used
q concentration; there are certain average charges
for guns for ordinary shooting make my gun shoot
close for quails and have s scatter much pos
sibe foI duck shooting; do not know what would
be the effect Of dividing the shot charge with one
or mora wads; never heard the subject discussed;
the targets shown were made with unusual charges
OF ammunition.
A. HeiIbron-Saw Raffety near Lentinis house and
at his own cabin the evening after the murder of
Mrs. Troai RafTety never said to him or intimated
in any way that Lenni was innocent and that Troai
was the murderer. Did not tell RafetY that he was
a id fool There were no unpleasant words spoken
and there was no occasion for them. Went to Raj
fety's and had supper. Informed Raffety that he
vas looking for Pete. Told several men, Raffety
among The rest, that he requested them, Sheriff
OF the county, TO assist in the capture OF Lentini He
told them to capture him if possible without hurting
him He believed from the first that Lentini the
murderer, and still holds the same opinion. He had
no feeling in the matter except that he believed men
had come on the stand and sworn to falsehoods He
swore positively that he never asked Rafety about
Lentin and had occasion to do so, for he had
certained all thefacts about the murder and Lentns
flight before he saw Raffety.
A. j. Vermilya said he ate supper at Raffetys
cabin the same night that the inquest was held.
Rsffety stated to witness that he sorry
that they had not called for him before
tDey pursued ln3L ne WOULD nave
pursued and lassooed him; a'so, that he would give
$50 for shot at Lentini. Raffety never said to
witness to the other officers in his presence that
Lentini was innocent and Troai the murderer. Wit
ness said he quite positive that no intimatou Of
any such state OF facts was made by Raffety
o. c. Jackson related the conversation that occurred
between himself and Rafety. Raffety said he would
give $50 for q shot at Lentin None Of the officers
said an unpleasant word to Raffety. He stayed
with them most of the evening" and seemed to be as
anxious any to capture Lentlni. Witness re-
lated the same conversation held with Lentini that
was related by Vermya. Raffety did not say to
witness in his presence that Lentni innocent
and Troai the murderer.
Mr.. Ho offered to prove by witness that Raffety
did all he could TO secure the capture of Lentini,
and went back to Lentini'5 place with a pair of
shackles to put Lentini if he could be cap
tured.
Objected to, and objection sustained.
Witness said Raffety in all his words and acts, in.
Dictated firm belief in the guilt OF Lentini.
AFTERooN SESSION.
Charles Quiggle said that on the night that Jack
con and himself were pursuing Lentni Raffsty rode
I'D to them on horseback Did not hear Sheriff
Hebron or Jackson tell Raffety that he id
fool. Did not hear an unkind or unpleasant word
spoken during the evening. When Raffety was
cooking some eggs for their supper some of the
officers questioned whether he had put any salt in
them or not Some cooks are very sensitive, but
don't think RaHety took umbrage al what was said
about sailing the eggs With that exception, there
was question between the officers and Raffety.
Mrs. Robinson said she was related to Troai and
his deceased wife. Had known them for years
had seen them frequently, and never knew Of their
having any family difficulty,
Thomas Cunningham said he Sheriff OF San
JOAQUIN county, and in February 1882 was in
formed of murder committed near Gait. Went to
Raffety'5 cabin to get information regarding the
murder. The object Of his visiting Rsffety's cabin
get information that would assist in the cap
ture OF Lentini. Learned nothing from Mr. Raffety
p
but LentiRi committed the murder. RifTety said
nothing to him about Troai being the murderer
Raffety showed him some tracks made by persons to
him unknown. Witness asked Raffety il he could
90 with him into Amador county and assist in
searching for Lentini. Rafety said he could not CO.
but, referring to a by the name OF Ireland who
was in his employ said that he could go. Ireland
accompanied the Sheriff.
e. Ireland, the gentlemen referred to by Mr..
Cunningham, took the stand, and corroborated the
statement made by the latter.
Mrs Catharine Lentini said she was the wife Of
John Lentini, the defendant. NJ. Edgerton objected
to the witness testifying on the grounds that she
was the wife OF the prisoner. Objection sustained.
DR.. Alex. Montague said he recollected the time
OF the murder of Mrs Troai On the 9Th and 18th Of
March called at Frank Tro2is to see sick child
Found no external injuries or gunshot wounds, and
extracted no shot from her arm Treated the child
for no external injuries. His attention was never
called to any wounds on the chilo's arms. He did
no: examine the arm.
Frank Troai said the child referred to by DR..
Montague was the. little daughter OF John Lentini
He saw the child undressed and given a warm bath.
There were no wounds on the childs arms.
John T. Carey said he had several interviews with
Pete Corroa, in all of which he had stated to wit
ness that Raffety " not at his cabin" at the
time Corrolla went there, early in the evening on
the day Of the murder.
Robert Craig testified to the fact that cabin was
moved onto Lentini's land on certain date.
John Mills was put on the stand to prove that,
although his name appeared as one Of the Coroners
jury, he was not sworn in such. He did not con.
slider himself as Of the jury, and signed it only
at the Urgent request of the Coroner, who assured
him that there was nothing wrong in his doing So.
john White said he had signed the verdict also,
but had done so at the request Of Vermilya. he
was not sworn in as juryman.
Seymour Carr was put on the stand by Mr.. Edger-
ton TO testify TO the honesty truthfulness and in
tegrity Of VIM. Raffety.
Judge Holl objected, on the ground that Mr.. Raj.
fetys character mad not been assailed.
Objection sustained. Exceptions taken
Mr.. Edgerton offered to prove the same fact by a
large number of we-known citizens.
Same objection raised, sustained and exception
noted.
At O'Clock, counsel on both sides held a few mo-
ments' consultation, and then informed the Court
that all the testimony was in.
After admonishing the jury not to converse with
any regarding the case and observe all the in
structiops that had been given them from time to
time by the Court, they were told to be on hand
this morning at O'Clock.
1t is thought thst the arguments will be concluded
to-day and the case go to the jury some time this
evening.
All the witnesses in the Lentini case were in
formed to be present without further notice at the
trial of Salvatore Trcsi which will be commenced
on Tuesday, November 10th, at 10 A.. N.
PARK IMPRovENENTs.-The committee Of the