Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-30
How SlavOnic Societies Will Try to
Save the Necks of Three
Hungarian MurdererS.
RUSNOK THINKS HE HAS A DOUBLE.
Sixteen Couples Who Are Weary Of Matri-
monial Bliss Want the Court
to Cut the Bonds.
MRS. REESE SECURES HER LITTLE BOY
Matters Which Occupied the Attention Of the Court and
Bar Yesterday.

Andrew Todt, Michael Sabol and George
Rusnak, Slavs, but natives of Hungary,
have attracted more of the world 'sattention
than they expected when they left Hun
gary. They were convicted last February
OF the murder of Michael Quinn on New
Years Day at the Edgar Thomson Steel
Works in Braddock. They were defended
by Attorney Archibald Blakeley. After
Judge Stowe sentenced them to hang mo-
ton for new trial was made and over
ruled. Mr.. Biakely then appealed to the
Supreme Court and the case was argued in
June, District Attorney Johnston's argu-
ment on the occasion being his last. The
Supreme Court affirmed the proceedings
and then notice was given of an appeal to
be taken 10 the Pardon Board. The Gov
ernor was notified of this step ard so no
death warrant issued, and the case will be
heard by the board on the 22d of next
month.
The points that will be submitted to the
board are: First, that Andrew Todt was so
drunk at the time of the riot that he knew
nothing of it at the time. Being without
money and ignorant of the English
language, he was at the time of the trial IN
able to make his defense clear. The fact of
Todt's intoxication at the time is said to
have been abundantly proven since by
number of witnesses A Communication to
life imprisonment will be asked in Todt's
case, as drunkenness reduces the grade of
the crime.
GEORGE RUSNAK HAS A DOUBLE.
In the case of George Rusnak, but one
witness identified him as having been on
the ground and striking the man killed
Ten witnesses swore that Rusnak was three
miles away at the time of the murder,
visiting a friend at the Carrie furnace.
The jury, however, refused to give credence
70 the testimony. Since sentence was pro-
nrunced, the defense has learned that there
q Bohemian at work at the Edgar
Thomson Steel Works at the time of the
riot who resembled Rusnak so closely that
each was frequently mistaken for the other.
Il is alleged that the Bohemian was in the
fight up 10 his ewes, and when it was over
went to his boarding house and said:
4 laid one man out, and when he was
knocked down he rolled over like a rabbit -
When the Bohemian heard that the mur-
derers were being sought he skipped and is
testimony of many witnesses who knew
both Rusnak and the Bohemian, and
they swear they could scarce distin-
guish them when not together. About
IL Braddock people, who knew the Bohem-
ian well, but did not know Rusnak, were
taken into the area of the county jail and
the three prisoners were brought out. The
Braddock people at once and simultaneously
pointed out RuSnack and said there was no
doubt to the very close resemblance he
bore to the missing Bohemian. 1t is be- |
lieved accordingly that the man who swore
he saw Rusnak strike the fatal blow was
honestly mistaken and that the ten who
swore to support an alibi told the truth.
BUILDING UP AN ALIBL
The defense also has the testimony of
little bov, Michael Giba whose mother
lives at the Carrie furnace. The bov saws
he knows Rusnak and that he was at wit
ness mothers house for some time on New
Years Dav, talked for some time and then
went up on the hill This is after-discov- |
cred evidence, and Mr.. Biakely expects to |
obtain an absolute pardon for Rusnak.
Michael Sabol admits that he was engaged |
in the riot hut denies that he struck the |
man who was killed, and as the only wit |
ness against Sabol is the one who testified |
to Rusnak having struck the fatal blow, it |
is argued that the force of his evidence is /
brckeu- SO it is hoped that SaboPs SEN
tence will be commuted.
1t has already been noted the Slavonian
societies of this country are taking a lively
interest in the matter and 30 also are the
Hungarian societies in New York They
are said 10 be composed of highly intelli-
gent people and some of them not only
stand well in business and social circles,
but have abundant means. These societies |
propose TO spend money to see the trio get
a square show, and they have issued petit
tious printed both in Slavonian and En-
-lisA, asking for leniency to the convicted