The Portland daily press., 1896-02-04
GEMINO's DEFENCE.
Effort to Show That His Brother Did
the Cutting

the Cutting
of Fazia's Cheek With the r. azor-Rrot or
Jimmie Has Been Absent Ever Since
Louis Held for the Grand Jury.
The hearing Of Louis Gemino. charged
with assault with intent to kill on Ra-
phael Fazia, on May 18th, was held in
the Municipal court yesterday. Gemino
Is the man who escaped to Boston by be-
ing sent by express in box. He didn't
pay the expense incurred by friends here.
and this LED to his recent location and
| arrest.
The assaulted party. Raphael Fazia,
was The first witness. He could sneak
no English, and Frank Cassassa was
sworn as interpreter. Examined by As
sistant County Attorney Webb Fazia
that last May he was fruit seller. On
the 18th OF that month he was at Mrs
Frazier's house, and Louis Gsmino
stepped in and said "Go0d evening. 4"
He replied. and Gemino called him an
insulting name. They clinched, but
were separated. Gemino clinched first
That same night Gemino attacked him
again, and struck him with his fists
he did not strike back. Previous to this
he had had no trouble with Gemlno. His
face was cut with a razor by the respond
ent's brother. The respondent went after
his brother. and then they met the wit
ness and the respondent said to his
brother. "Kill him." and the brother
cut him with the razor. The two assail-
ants ran away. Witness had been drink
ing beer, and was quite intoxicated. He
didn't know whether Gemino was intoxi.
Gated.
Cross examined by Mr.. Floyd, counsel
for Gemino. He had not had previous
trouble With Jimmie or Mike Gemino
He had not said that he would kill one
OF the Geminos. The first scuffle was in
the middle of the room. Louis Gemino
was coming out of Mrs. Frazier's room.
After the first olinch, witness remained
in the entry till the second clinch. Com
inc went away after the first clinoh. Wit
ness vas sure he remembered what took
place. Louis Gemino, the respondent,
was the man that held the witness. His
brother. Jimmie, did the cutting.
Mrs. Frazier told witness to leave the
entry and go up stairs i2to his room. He
did SO, and then came down.
When Louis came out of Mrs Frazier s
room witness grabbed him by the throat,
but Louis caught hold of his coat first.
DIR. Pudor, oity physician, testified that
he was called to treat Fazia on the 18th
of last May. He had cut on his face
from the lobe of the left ear down toward
the mouth, about an inch and half long,
The cut was to the bone. The next day
the witness saw Fazia at his home in
Stafford block. The cut had penetrated
the salivary gland, and the saliva was
oozing out through the wound. He sent
him to the hospital and kept him there
several weeks. The wound finally closed
up, leaving deep scar. 1t was a dan
gerous wound if left alone,
Mrs. Frazier, at whose house the ARRAY
took place, testified that Fazia had a
room at her house. Louis came to her
home that evening and played casino
with her. She told him that it was time
He went out, and the souffie took place.
Fazia went up, to his room and Louis
went away. Then Fazia came down
again and asked witness to excuse him
for the trouble. As he started to go back
Louis came in and seized him. Witness
saw something bright in Louis's hand.
Witness shut the door through fear, and
did not see the cutting. She heard Fazia
scream. She did not see Louis's brother
Jimmie. She saw only Louis and heard
only one step going down the stairs. The
cutting took place just outside her door,
She kept it shut till the officers came
Cross examined. The bright thing in
Louis's hand looked like the end of
razor. Louis had not previously shown
a quarresome disposition, nor had Fazia.
They had both worked for her. If Louis
had gone home when she told him to he'd
have been all right. Louis came to see
her about doing work. She had thought
of discharging Louis in favor of Fazia
since the latter was tenant Of hers.
Deputy Marshal Sterling testified that
he was present at Stafford block, Just af-
ter thu cutting. He was attracted by a
loud outcry. He did not see Louis OF
Jimmie Gemino. He testified as to Lou
ISIS escape and recent capture. He offered
a piece of razor blade that Officer Pills.
bury gave him.
The latter testified MS to hearing the
loud outcry. AS he approached Stafford s
block he saw man bare headed running
up Chatham street. He found Fazia in
the doorway. He exclaimed, give
brothers Cut! Witness saw something
glisten in the cheek of Frazier. He found
it to be the piece of razor blade.
The man he saw running away looked
like Louis Gem;no. When he arrested
Louis in Boston he took his two bro theirs
also.
Cross examined. He wouldn't under
take to identify the man running away
as Louis, but his figure looked natural.
He felt sure after Faz1a said nFiya