Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-07-02
FREAKS OF JUSTICE.
One Murderer Goes Free While Another
Is Declared Guilty.

Rozalio Staziola, who killed John Fas-
chilli at Hazleton in March, was on
trial for his crime at Wilkes-Barre last
week The Neaosdeaier gives the result
as follows:
At $50 Saturday night the jury in the
case returned verdict of not guilty.
The verdict came like thunder clap.
1t seemed at first impossible for the
spectators present to believe their ears.
That man who by his own testimony
stabbed another to death without other
provocation than mere drunken brawl,
| should be absolved from all blame SEEM
ed proposition so preposterous as to
pun belief But it was a. fact and is
merely another of those judicial pre-
miums upon murder which the juries of
Luzerne county are frequently guilty of.
1t was learned subsequently that on
the first ballot the vote stood two for
acquittal and ten for conviction of man.
slaughter. Those two men in the time
between 3 in the afternoon and $50
succeeded in bringing the others round
to their side. Those two men, whoever
they are, have on their heads the res
possibility of turning loose a red d-handed
murderer. Their verdict practically SAYS
that any bloody minded ruffian can draw
a weapon whenever he gets in brawl,
and stab or shoot anyone he pleases and
the law will sustain him. No wonder
the records of Luzerne County are stain
ed with atrocious crimes. NJ wonder
the murdered dead cry aloud to heaven
for that justice they cannot obtain here
from men.
How the verdict was brought about is
well illustrated by information learned
as to the position taken by a juror named
Belding. Immediately on reaching the
jury room, he said Gentlemen,
don't know how you stand but I'm for
acquittal. Let us take ballot right
aWav."
A ballot was taken resulting two for
acquittal and ten for manslaughter.
Bedding deliberately took off his coat
and standing up said Gentlemen this
is good enough FOR me. This is all at the
county's expense ana can better afford
10 stay here at 50 day ana + I'd than
work as carpenter. ] don't care hUw
long | stay here, but that man shall be
acquitted" and he was.
The following is the jury who are res
ponsible for the acquittal of Rozaiio
William Brennan, Yatesvile; J. d.
Fortner, Nescopeck; James Kearney,
Pittston; James Space, Wyoming; N. G.
i'OietihS, w ilhCS-DdIIo, JOllH LAW, Eu-
wardsville; II. w. Pringle, Plymouth
townships; f: j. Rutledge, Jenkins
Thomas J.. Kelly, Pittston; Michael
Laphy, Wilkes-B Barre, and Thomas f.
Quigley, Miners Mills
MMILLAN CONVICTED.
Edward Mcmillan was on last Thurs
day convicted at Wilkes-Barre of murder
in the first degree, for killing his wife in
very brutal manner. 1t appeared in
evidence that after they had both filled
themselves with whiskey they quarreled
and that in her rage the woman caught
her husband by the hair. The latter
threw the woman, and then, seizing a
pair of tongs, made them red hot in the
stove. He applied the hot iron to the
woman's body, burning her in horrible
manner. After boring through the flesh
to the bone he would withdraw the iron,
reheat it and make fresh wound. The
thirteen-year-old son of the couple was
the first to discover the crime. He found
his mother on the floor with her wounds
seething, while the father lay on
lounge sleeping off his debauch.