The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-02-09
Alleged Motive of Accused Man,
Who Was Placed on
Trial Today.
GIRL DEAD, HE WIRED SHE
WAS ILL, SAYS WITNESS
Damaging Evidence by Mrs.
Le0's Cousin-Defendant
Dresses Up for Ordeal.

When Michael Leo. Charged with tbs
murder Of his ls-year-oId bride. An
gelina. by burning her 10 death IN
their NOME, 375 Norris avenue. on
March 10 last n order to get the In
srrance on her life. faced the struck
jury before Judgs Ten EycIx in the
Court Of Oyer ana Terminer today, hs
appeared only 20 take a casual interest
ia his fate. He was seated lsetween
two sturdy constables. behind his coun-
sci. former Judge Thomas s Henry
and Judge Simon Hahn. who was In the
case before he was appointed to the
bench in the police court
Leo, dressed in his hest clothes, did
not appear to haye suffered from his
confinement in Jail for nearly a year
The jury in his case was drawn yester-
Cay. but owing to the temporary indix-
position OF Prosecutor Mott the taking
of the testimony was postponed until
today.
after ths jury. Ii iaea by. As.-<ure-
man, Moses Plaut. had taken its scat
in the box. Prosecutor Mott opened
the case for the State and demanded
conviction in these words:
Tells states side Of case.
The girl. Angelina. had jnsf come
to this country from Italy and the de-
fendant went to an employment agency
and induced her to come TO this city
TO act as his servant. On December n
lie took her to the City Hall. and there
was married to her by the mayor.
Shortly after that he went to the Prli-
Dental Insurance Company and asked
for policy of 5000 on her life. He IN
sisted strongly on the amount. repre-
senting himself TO be man of means
and standing in the community. The
company refused 70 issue a 5000
policy. but finally one for $500 was
issued.
''On March 10 last tine defendant and
the girl We're alone in their room. She
was apparently lying on couch. when,
in some mysterious manner, she got
ON fire. Several dozen traces of the
burning were found in the rooms
through which the girl ran and then
finally fell in the rear yard
Edward G. Kempf. surveyor, first ex-
planned the diagram of the premises
where the tragedy occurred. 1t was
tackled up alongside of the jury yester-
day and the men in the box watched
the movements Of the surveyor closely
as he told all about the place.
Dead Wonan's Cousin Is Heard.
He was followed by Mrs. Marie Gal
hno, cousin of the dead girl, who
bore the same last name, and she gave
her testimony through Court Interpre
Ter Joseph Federico. Mrs. Gallino said
that she came to this country with the
unfortunate girl, who went to an EN-
Payment agency. and that when Leo
came there he said that he did not want
a girl like he had before who had made
too much love- So he was shown An
gelna, and got her. One day she re-
ceiyed 4 telegram from Leo, she testi-
fed, saving that her cousin was sick,
but sfterward learned that she was
dead, although told BY Leo that she
was in a hospital, as 'she got burned"
John Gallino swore that he received a
telegram from Leo asking him to come
10 Newark. When he got TO this city
he met man who he thought, would
take him 10 a hospital, but instead of
that lie took him to the cemetery.
'.Then / fell to the ground" he said.
with some pathos, and did not know
what became of me- but got into a
coach and went 70 Michael Leos
house"
Saw No Burns On Leo's Hands.
He added that when he arrived at
Leo's house after the funeral he asked
Leo how il happened and he said that
she was in the kitchen and got burned.
Then he asked Leo if he wasn't in the
house, = the time. said this witness,
and ne said he was and he helped her
did what he could
why. ne said.'' so this witness tes-
tilted. "that his hands were burned.
looked at them and they were not. Not
even the hair on his hands were
burned
Did you know Angelina was mar
ried to him?" asked Prosecutor Mott.
4 did not; never heard Of it,
In the sharp cross examination BY
Mr.. Henry the witnegs admitted that
he (the witness) -st fhat time was out
of his mind" and f.ence recollection OF
events somewhat lazy. He denied that
he knew that t., girl was insured and
that he knew anything about the in
people being interested in the
outcome Of the case
nf,4o~ff<,x, s.-< al. 49,