Gilpin observer., 1908-03-19
DESPERATE ACT OF CONDEMNED
MURDERER OF FATHER
WIELDS RAZOR BLADE
CLASHES THROAT OF MAN CLEAN.
ING HIS CELL AND FIGHTS
TILL ovERPOWERED.

Denver.-1n a murderous attack Sat
urday morning. either for the purpose
of making the taking of his own life
as dear as possible. or with the mis-
taken hope that freedom lay on the
other side of the open cell door, Gus
eppe Ala. awaiting sentence OF death
for the murder of Father Leo Helm
rich. nearly caused the death of Guy
Sexton. who at the time of the attack
had his back turned to the prisoner
engaged in sweeping out the cell.
Deputy Jail Warden Karpen with
Sexton went to the condemned cell at
o'clock. where Ala was being con-
fned awaiting sentence to death by
Judge Whitford. The visit to the cell
was for the purpose of sweeping out.
No thought of an attack was in the
mind OF either the deputy warden or
Guy Sexton. q trusted prisoner held
for a minor offense. There was moth
Ing In the appearance Of the Italian
to cause suspicion. and the work was
commenced. Karpen had stepped out
OF the cell for moment and Sexton
was left alone with Ala. He was in
dustriously sweeping with his back to
the prisoner. when Ala sneaked up be-
hind him and with the razor blade in
his left hand. made slash at his
throat. A cash was cut from the point
Of the Jaw downward and across the
neck. Sexton turned and clutching the
Italian around the body forced him
against the wall. at the same time cry
ing out for help. Karpen rushed to
the cell and seeing the blood flowing
from Sexton's wounds, grabbed ALA
and using all OF his strength, threw
him upon the floor. He then jumped
with both feet upon the left arm of
Ala. but still the Italian held to the
razor. Then the warden and Sexton
exerted themselves to the utmost in
trying to get possession OF the sharp
blade. 1t was over thirty seconds be-
fore they were successful in their eff
forts.
After the razor had been taken away
from ALA he was thrown back in his
cell and aid was given to Sexton. 1t
was at first thought that the wound
was serious one, and the Jail physi-
clan. DR.. John Lotus. was telephoned
for but he could not be found. Then
messenger was dispatched to DIR. Will
liam NJ. Robertson, 94G Eleventh street.
He responded at once and dressed the
wound. 1t was found not to be serious.
and Sexton was not removed from the
jail. The wound was not deep and was
about two inches and a half In length.
The man who had previously occu-
pied the cell where Ala was confined
was Vincent Jachota, held for a short
time as a witness against Ala. When
the change was made Jachota was led
out OF the cell and ALA taken in and
as the two passed words in Italian
were exchanged. but no one there I'M
derstanding the language. no attention
was paid to the short conversation.
Saturday morning Jachota was dis
missed from Jail shortly before the
murderous attack was made. 1t is now
thought possible by the sheriff and
Warden Durfield that the few words
exchanged between the two men gave
the secret OF the hidden blade. 1t may
be that the weapon was left there for
ALA for him to use upon himself and
not in an attempt to gain liberty. Even
though he had been fully armed he
could not have made his escape from
the jail as there were many locked
doors between him and freedom.