The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-14
HELD IN
$1,000 FOR
GRAND JURY.
GIafrancisco is Charged with
Having ImpsTsOnatsd a
Deputy Sheriff.

Little Italy was interested In a trial
held in the Sixth district court today, for
IL involved the liberty OF one OF it's deni-
zens as well as the payment OF sundry
sums OF money alleged to have been ex-
torted from several sons and daughters
Of the sunny CLINE.
Constantine Giafrancisco was the de-
fendant. the charge against him being
that of impersonating deputy sheriff.
Sershno Pelozzi testified that the de-
fendant came to his house. IL Sutton
street. claimed TO be "the chief of police,
and everything else" This was two
weeks ago last Thursday. The next day
the defendant saw PeloZZZi again. told
him not to make any fuss and he would
settle a case in which Pelozzi was accused
of having something to do with wo-
man, so the defendant averred. What
the charge was Pelozzi couldn't tell.
These visits were continued by Gia-
francisco until Sunday, che threats TO
prosecute being repeated, and to con-
vince Pelozzi that he had authority TO
act, Giafrancisco produced police con-
stables badge and paper which pur-
ported 10 be his commission as deputy
sheriff, but which proved 10 be a certified
of a piece OF property.
These tangible evidences of authority
served 10 coerce Pelozzi into a settle
ment OF the mysterious case, for 20 scudi
was handed over TO Giafrancisco, who
pocketed the cash and went away.
Carmine Vitale, who overheard the con-
versation between Giafrancisco and Pei
ozzi testified that the alleged deputy
sheriff augmented his claim OF authority
by asserting that he was chief of police
and milk inspector, and could settle any
kind OF case" Also, that he had a
telephone al the city hall. When asked
to produce his key 10 the police signal
box he claimed 10 have left IL at home.
The payment OF 500 demanded by Gia-
francisco was deferred until the latter
guaranteed that he was an officer and
that he was duly authorized to act as
such.
Angelina Paris testified that she had
brought a suit for slander against Sera-
fino PetoZzi. Giafrancisco came TO her,
urged her TO settle the case rather than
have a scandal spread broadcast I'm the
newspapers, and agreeing to get enough
money 10 pay her lawyer. the costs OF
court and the fees of the interpreter.
She asked Giafrancisco for his authority.
He showed his badge. his commission,
and said that he was from the city hall
These articles convinced her and he was
told 10 go ahead and effect settlement
Angelina Stella varied the story by tes-
tifying that prior to March I'd Giafran-
cisco called at her house and wanted to
know II her daughter intended TO get a
divorce She said that such was the case.
whereupon Giafrancisco said that he
would procure her lawyer and divorce
for s.. Mrs. Stella paid him that amount
and Giafrancisco, promising TO bring a
paper which the daughter was to sign,
left the house.
Capt. Parker testified that he searched
Glafrancisoo when the latter was bought
into detective headquarters. In Giafran-
ciscos pocket was found police consta-
ble's badge, a copy OF the official docket
OF the supreme court, such as is prepared
and printed for the use OF attorneys, an
old sherif's sale warrant, and a lot OF
cards. bearing his name and the informa-
tion that he, Giafrancisco, was chief of
police. etc. The defendant told Capt.
Parker that he got his constable's badge
when acting as an assistant to the in
spector OF milk. The latter-named officer
was sent for and denied that he had ever
employed the defendant, although he rec
ogniZed him as a man whom he saw I'm a
store on Atwells avenue, and who there
and then volunteered 10 pilot the inspect
or TO several stores where he could get
evidence relative 90 tho sale or milk OF an
impure character.
No evidence was offered I'm defense and
Giafranclsco was adjudged probably
guilty and was held for the grand jury
in $1,000
An inspection OF the paper Giafrancisco
made use OF disclosed that IL was a certi-
fed COPY OF a document which Deputy
Sheriff Dyer had. as by law required.
posted at the city hall. Gafrancisco had
attached his own name after the words
deputy sheriff." at the bottom of the
document.