The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-12-24
THE MURDER TRIAL.

The Garretto murder trial made
good progress last week and on Friday
the State rested it's case and the testi-
mony for the defense was begun.
There were various exciting incidents
in the development of the prosecution,
one Italian witness announcing that
he would 60 to Jail rather than
answer the questions put to him, but
upon admonition by the court reluct-
antly concluded to give his reply.
The testimony of the chief witnesses
brought out the facts of the shooting
as to time and place, with their posi-
tions, That Garretto had a revolver
which was discharged and that he ran
with it in his hand down the stairs
and on to the streets. A quarrel of
more or less proportions was going on
in the hall at the time of the shoot
ing and III the general melee observa-
tion as to minor points was not clear.
AS to the Socialist ana Anarchist
phase of the question the witnesses
who testified were some of them ad-
mitted Anarchists and some Socialists
Luigi Cassi, Giovanni Comi, and Emili
Vochini, told of the causes of tine
fight in the hall which they said be-
gan when Fernando Comi, an Anar-
chist, joked about the non-arrival Of
the speaker, which reply in earnest
at once precipitated AS to the sup
per at the home of G. Marani to
which some of the witnesses were
invited; and which it was rumored
was for the purpose of talking over
the proposed lecture by Serratti in
the hall where the trouble occurred !;
discussion of the matter beyond the
statement by some of the guests that
they intended going to hear it. On
Friday the most important testimony
was that of Angelo Scampini who
told of dying statement made by
Corti in which Corti said that Gar
retto shot him. The Interpreters are
working hard and one of them says
this is what would be called rapid
transit" trial in Boston. Samuel
Novalli, former parner OF Eli Corti.
thought Corti was neither an Anar-
chist nor a Socialist.
F. r. Dawley Of Montpelier Jesti-
fled as an expert in firearms and am
munition. He identified the bullet
said to have been taken from Oorti s
body as one he had examined previ-
ously. Witness John Comi was re-
called and denied any speech in a
Barre store to Bachletti, to the effect
that if Serrstti lectured that night
he would catch it and his henchmen
would catch it,
At this point the State rested and
the defense begun the production of
its case. The testimony tended to
| show that the Anarchists caused the
trouble in the hall that night. Caesar
Bruzzi first took the stand for the
defence. He said he was at the hall
and saw Garretto enter and take a
chair soon after. Garretto wore cap
and was smoking cigar. Witness
said the Anarchists began soon to in
suit Bernasconi and the witness with
gibes about the orator not coming.
Ferdinando Comi was leading the in
sulting, when William Corti got uI
and told Comi to keep quiet for the
one they wanted was not there.
Rizzi said Whats the use of wait.
ing? They're all fakirs and cow
ards" Somebody hit Bernasconi and
in minute eight or ten men were OF
Bernasconi and the witness. Rizz
drew a knife and cut the witness or
the head. Paul Mariri who gave the
supper before referred to said tina
there was no talk at his house about
the lecture. Said he was an Anar-
chist. A number of witnesses testi
fed to hearing but did not see tn,
shooting.
Garretto disappointed the onlooker
in county court and did not take TIN
stand III his own defence. Joseph Ber
nasconi was the last witness of import
ance for the defence and his story o
the trouble was much like that o
the other witnesses for the same
The evidence was closed on Tuesday
morning and the arguments at ono
begun, r. A. Hoar opening for tn
State. Ha was followed by Fred L
Laird and W. A. Lord for the respon
dent, while States Attorney Sente
closes for the prosecution.
The case was given to the jury Of
Wednesday morning and verdict o
guilty of manslaughter was brough
in ut 3 O'Clock.