The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-23
Gov. OdeII Refuses 10 Commute
Sentence Of tho Murderer.
WIFE LOYAL TO HER BROTHER.
Opposes Husbana's Effmf 10 Shift Rssrou-
sIhIIIty for the Crime Ready TO Tell Her
StsT 10 GovsTnsr.

Albany, Jan. .3.-The wife of a con-
victed murderer was at the Capitol yes
terday. not 20 plead for his life. but ac-
cordIng TO the prisoners counsel, to de-
clare belief in his guilt
This unusual attitude was due not to
hatred of him but 10 love for her brother.
upon whom the murderer had attempted
20 shift the crime.
In an snte-room sat three women walt
ing to hear the verdict of Gov. odell as
to whether Lorenzo Prior should live or
die
Two were in the black garb Of grief
Mrs. Luna Garagusi. the widow, and
Cornelia Garaglisi. tho daughter OF Vim
cenzo GaragusL for the murder OF whom
Prlori is under sentence OF death. They
were anxious. Il given the opportunity,
10 plead with the Governor for vengeance
upon the murderer. The third woman
was the wife OF Priori.
EVIDENCE GIVEN.
The hearing before the Governor was
on an application for commutation OF
sentence 60 life Imprisonment for Priori
Judge B r. Morgan and Samuel Scar
bury Assistant District-Attorne De-
ianey appeared in opposition.
Garagusi WIS shot on the stoop OF his
home. No. so Broome street, New York
city. Dec. II. 1888. after a game of cards
at which there had been a quarrel.
Judge Morgan stated that since the
conviction OF Prseri Napoleono Medici.
who was passing the stoop. has stated
and fs ready 10 testify that when he
heard the shots fired he turned and saw
Priori standing on the stoop in such
position that Il was impossible for him
10 have fred the shots. He asked the
Governor 10 swear Medici and 10 hear
from him his testimony.
MIR. Delaney said the Court OF Appeals
had passed upon this new evidence and
denied a new trial
"This case Ia not one of circumstantial
evidence" he said. AT the trial three
or four witnesses testified that the shots
were fired by Priori."
s'When this application was made, =
said the Governor, II was laboring under
the Impression that the evidence TO be
presented to me was entirely new.
don't see how can take any action. ="
Mr.. Delaney made an oral argument,
10 which Judge Morgan replied.
II am here" he said. mot as a lawyer,
but as a man. pleading for an innocent
man. This man Is alone I'm the world.
He has no relatives or friends with him
in the hour of his affiction.
without this chamber sits his wife,
who pleaded with me 10 do my best for
him when he was indicted. but xho Is
now ready TO come I'm here and state
that she believes her husband IL guilty
or the crime. And why? Because Prio-
ri I'm his confession said The murderer was
her brother"
WOULD NOT WRONG HER BROTHER
Mrs. Priori." Mr. Delaney interrupted
s'ix not ready TO swear her husband kill
ed the murdered man. She Is ready to
swear, however. that when she visited
her husband at Sing Sing he asked her
10 GO home and state that the murder
was committed by her brother. She re
fused 10 do SO, saying: My brother s.
not guilty Although I love you j viii
not wrong my brother. Priori then told
her she need not come to see him any
more.
IF there was ever cold-blooded muir
dcrer II Is this man Priori We can pro
duce man who saw Priori throw ava,
his revolver"
The hearing was closed without an,
witnesses being called. The Governor
reserved decision, but later decided no
10 interfore. and Priori must die.