Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-18
SCATIEA'S SLAYER.
FREDIANI, THE LIME PEDDLER, IN
THE POLICE C0URy.
Examination on the Charge of Murder
Trouble with the Interpreters-A
Vigorous Cross Examination.

The preliminary examination of Odvardo
Frediani, the aged Italian lime peddler,
who on the 4th instant stabbed and killed
Giuseppe Scatina at the corner of Second
and L streets, was commenced before
Police Judge Buckley yesterday.
Frediani occupied seat beside his attor-
ney, Grove L. Johnson, and did not appear
to be much interested in the proceedings.
He speaks very poor English and appears
to be quite feeble.
City Attorney E. G. Hart conducted the
prosecution.
Police officers Arl in gton and Wagner
were first put on the stand, to give the de-
tsils of Frediani's capture and arrest, two
days after the cutting. The testimony of
each was identical. After searching vainly
for two days, they were informed by an
Italian, named Paladini, that Frediani
was hiding in a house on Second street,
between O and R. Summoning special
officer Mclaughlin to their assistance,
the officers surrounded the house. Airing
ton, accompanied by Paladini, went inside
and inquired for Frediani, but the parties
living in the house stated that he was not
there They went out the bachelor and
Joined Mclaughlin and Wagner in the
yard They stood there conversing for a
moment, when suddenly they heard some
one drop TO the ground from enc of the
frst-story windows. Running to the spot,
the officers found that Frediani was the
person who had left the house by the win
dow route. He submitted quietly to the
arrest.
Police Captain Lee was next called. He
testified that he interviewed Frediani at the
police station after he had been brought in.
The prisoner admitted that he had done the
cutting, but claimed that Scstina had struck
and kicked him first. The prisoner also
said that he had lost the knife with which
the cutting was done, but described it as an
ordinary pocket-knife.
The prosecution now wanted to put some
Italian witnesses to the killing on the
stand, but it was found that an Interpreter
was necessary, and there was none avail
able. After a consultation both sides
agreed on Mr.. Rafetto, and an officer was
sent after that gentleman. 1t was nearly
half an hour before Mr.. Refetto arrived.
and when he did, he declared his inability
to serve.
A recess was then taken until 1:30 o'clock
in order that another Interpreter might be
secured.
In the afternoon an interpreter named
Grondona was on hand. He is a native
son it appears, but of Italian parents He
talks English huently, but according to the
statements of prominent Italians present,
was not bowling success in the Italian
tongue.
However, he was the best that could be
obtained, and the case proceeded.
Louis CALI, an Italian who works at the
freight sheds, and who could not speak
English, was called to the witness stand.
After being sworn he stated that he was an
eye witness to the killing of Scatina.
u know the defendant" he said, land l
knew the deceased. l saw them both
twice on election day-the first time about
noon, and again in the evening. l was
making wine in the cellar of the Garibaldi
House about noon, when Scatina passed
through the alley and FredIanl met him,
but there was no trouble then. In the
evening, however, l saw them again, in
front of the saloon on the corner of Second
and l. streets. / was conversing with
Scatina and a man named Bianchini at
that corner, when Frediani walked up, and,
addressing Scatina, said, I want you to
pay me that money Scatins replied that
he did not owe him any money, and told
him to go away. Frediani persisted, and
Scatina said 1t has been over year aud
half since | sold out, and | don't want to
be bothered any more about it. Go to my
old partner and ask him for the money
Frediani said: No, won't; l want the
money from you Scatina told him to 90
away, and waved his hand at him. Ere
DIAM then began to abuse the deceased,
saying that he came from bad family, and
such things. Scatina said, Don't you talk
about my family, or I'll break your face
Frediani said in reply, You gave me kick
to-day but you'll give me no more
linn ediately after saying this | sew the
defendant strike Scatina twice on the left
side. did not see any knife in Frediani's
hand, but knew right away that Scatina
had been cut. Frediani walked up 10 the
Garibaldi after doing the cutting and BIZ
anchini and Icalled to Mr. Gabrielle to help
US take Scatina to a doctors Office. After
we had taken Scatina to the doctors l went
back TO the Garibaldi House, and meeting
Frediana, said, Old man, amt you
ashamed to strike an old man in that
way?' He said quietly. 1 ale my bread,
and there's more for you if you wish it.
Mr.. Hart wanted the witness to state
what he believed Frediani meant by that
remark, but attorney Johnson objected
oh chuOdsly. aitc4 1SAlBtuy ucDdtei y uuSc
Buckley finally allowed the question.
II supposed" said the witness, that he
meant that he would also stab me-"
The cross examination of this witness by
Mr.. Johnson occupied the remainder of the
afternoon session. The attorney went over
the entire life of the witness with him, and
compelled him torelate where he had spent
every year of his life up to the present
time. Coming down TO the story of the
witness, with reference to the killing, Mr..
johnson chung to the details of time, place,
position, etc, with a ienacity that ratified
the witness considerably. CALI had stated
in his direct examination that there were
no others in the immediate vicinity OF the
killing besides himself aud Bianchini.
Mr.. Johnson adroitly made him repeat this
over and over so as to make sure thing of
it, and, then, producing the transcript of
Calls testimony taken at the Coroner's in
quest, pointed therein to where Cali had
swore that another man named Augustin-
ELI also stood near and witnessed the kill
ing of Scstina.
Mr.. Johnson asked the witness how he
could reconcile these two statements, and
he declared that he had never made such
a statement at the Coroner's inquest. He
clung to his subsequent statement that
Augustinelli was not witness to the kill
ing.
The case will be resumed to. day.
ROCK FOR THE LEVEE.
The Trustees A gree that the Front Street