The herald., 1898-11-10
WHY HE MURDERED HER
ASSASSIN VALERGA SAYS HE
WAS DRUNK AND CRAZY
SHOT TO KILL MRS. FRUMENTO
The Prisoner Makes a Statement at
the Coroner's Inquest-Will Be
Examined Saturday

Eranchl Nalerga tried 10 tell tne coroner S
Jury yesterday why he had murdered Mrs.
Benedetta Frumento in cold blood, but
after his explanation the jury was more con-
vinced than ever Of the sheer wantonness
of the crime With absolutely no cause what
ever, Valerga assassinated the woman on
tuesday afternoon after they had Quarreled
over the alleged loss of three of his shirts.
The murderer did not, however, make much
of an attempt to extenuate his crime. He
evidently realized the enormity of his act
and the hopelessness of his position, as the
best that he can say for himself is that he
was drunk and crazy.
The inquest was held at the undertaking
rooms of Bresee Brothers yesterday after
noon. DR.. Paul Bresee testified regarding
the fatal wound, which had been inflicted
with charge of No. shot in the right
side of the woman's face. The shot had
shattered the bones and fractured the skull
at the base of the brain. The most astonish-
ing feature of the wound was the fact that it
did not cause instant DEATH Augustine
Frumento, the husband of the deceased, tes-
titled regarding the events leading up to the
crime, but his testimony was corroborative
OF the facts as published yesterday.
One new feature, however, was the cause
for a scratch on the left side of the forehead
of the murderer. This had been inflicted,
Frumento said, by Giuseppe Guise, the
partner OF Valerga, during the course of a
quarrel Detective Bradish related the con-
dition of affairs at the ranch when he and
other officers arrived at the scene Of the
murder. Officer Rico, who captured the
murderer, detailed the circumstances of the
arrest, and said that Valerga had made no
attempt to resist him. He had asked Valerga
in the Spanish language why he had killed
the woman, and the murderer had! replied
that she had whipped him when they quar-
relied in the house and he wanted to take re-
venge. While the prisoner had been drink
ing, the officer did not think that he was in
toxicated, and, on the contrary, appeared
to fully realize what he had done. Jimmy,
the son Of the deceased, related the circum
stances of the murder of his mother by the
prisoner.
After Frumento, the elder, had been exam
ined, Coroner Campbell inquired of Valerga,
through Deputy Constable Joe Mugnemi,
who acted as interpreter, if he desired to
make any statement regarding the case. 1t
was explained to the prisoner that whatever
he said must be made voluntarily, as it would
be used against him at his trial. The pris-
pner trembled violently and so rapidly did
his hands move that it seemed as if he would
rattle the chains of the handouts which Sc
cured him.
Il do not know what to say" replied the
prisoner helplessly. He was then asked why
he had killed the woman.
ooh, l was drunk" he answered. Then
the details of the murder, as he
remembered them. He claimed that he had
accused the woman of stealing three of his
shirts. She had denied this, and they got
in the face and mouth with her fist. The
woman's husband and son ran in and the
husband caught hold Of Valerga and the
son grabbed Mrs. Frumento. The prisoner
claimed that his lip had been cut by the
blows of the woman, and he had put his
hand back to his hip pocket to get his hand
kerchief and not to draw his revolver, as
Frumento had testified. In any event, Fru-
mento grappled with him and took his re-
volver away. Continuing, Valerga explained
that he had aimed at the woman's head
with the shotgun because he had wanted to
kill her. When asked again why he wanted
to take the life of the woman, the murderer
replied, with shrug of the shoulders, 81
was drunk and crazy"
Coroner Campbell then inquired whether
Valerga would have killed Frumento and
any of the others if they had gone to the
aid of the woman. He replied that he in
tended to kill them if they had done so. 1t
was sort of notion that he got into his
head that he would allow nobody to come
into the house, and for this reason he had
secured the guns and stood ready to re-
sist any entrance. Valerga laid particular
stress on his condition. He claimed that
he had been drunk, and in reply to certain
questions, which were not material, however,
said that he could not remember. He had
forgotten how he came to fire the rifle after
shooting Mrs. Frumento. The case was given
to the jury and verdict was soon returned
to the effect that the deceased had come to
her death from the effect of gunshot wound
at the hands of Franchi Valerga, inflicted
with intent to commit murder. The pris-
oner was taken in the patrol wagon to the
police station, but made no attempt to es-
cape. His spirit is apparently broken, and
though dazed naturally, he is beginning to
realize the probable outcome of his act. Be-
fore the inquest the prisoner was arraigned
before Justice Owens on a charge of murder
and his preliminary examination set for
Saturday, the 18th, at 9:30 IN. He was told
about his rights and said that he had
friend with whom he would like to consult.
This person will be sent for.