Evening journal., 1910-02-17
RUSSO PLEADS
SELF DEFENSE
Counsel Says Accused Man
Shot After Other Revolver
Was Drawn
JURORS WALK ON
SECOND DAY OF TRIAL

After having a brisk walk along the
Brandywine Creek this morning the jurors
in the Csrmine Russo case looked bright
and fresh this morning. Banins Fleming
and Manlove took them for walk last
evening in Delaware avenue The trip this
morning was along the Brsndywine and
the jurors were pleased with the outing.
Russo, who is being tried on a charge OF
tho murder OF William Kidd appeared de-
spondent to-day. He has been suffering
from malaria and refuses to eat. While in
his cell this morning he is said TO have
remarked: This is no good, no good
and at the same time drew his finger
around his neck The first witness called
this morning was Joseph Forrest. who
testified that he arrived at Sixth and
Adams streets about the time Russo
caught Kidd By the coat and drew him to-
wards him and then pulled his revolver
and shot. After the italian shot Kidd wit
ness said he borrowed a revolver and
went in pursuit OF the man and followed
him to No. 1924 West Seventh street where
he waited until Russo was arrested. While
going out Sixth street witness said he call
ed on Russo TO halt but Russo drew his
revolver shook his head and commenced
10 run. Witness said the little Italian"
who was with Russo had a knife in his
right hand. Witness said he heard the 'lit-
tie man. say something TO Russo and they
ran and at Stoeckle street the little man.
went back of the church near that corner.
Witness said he first tried to borrow the
revolver from a young man but later got
one in the store. He admitted that he was
not a police officer but he considered It
his duty to carry the revolver and try
and capture the Italian.
Officer Carmin Di Mare testified that
he interpreted the statement made by
Russo at the coroner's inquest.
Defends Testimony Before Coroner.
Clarence NJ. Dillon. a newspaper man,
| testified that he had acted as secretary
Of the coroner's jury, which held Russo.
Mr.. Dillon said he took every word
as translated by Di Mare. According
TO Mr.. Dillon, Russo on that occasion
said:
These boys who have testified are
all false witnesses. None Of them
was there. Their statemnts are false
Four of the boys threw snoVballs al
me, and I say to them: Stop, stop
stop. stop. but they did not stop. Their
several Of them tried 70 strike me, and
one hoy pulled a revolver on me. Their
drew my revolver and shot TO scare
them. / had no intention Of shooting
anyone. Three OF them had revolvers
in their hands"
(which Of these young men was Il
that had the revolver and pulled it on
you2"
"That one. And that. And that
And that one" pointing to four Of the
witnesses who came forward).
At this point further statements from
Russo we're stopped by the Attorney
? General.
Fred Morrison, David Mitchell. Char
les T. Knots and Joseph Mammele
4, testified they were pointed out by Rus.
so at the inquest as having drawn re.
volvers at Sixth and Adams streets
; They denied they had revolvers ol
made a motion to draw revolvers
Russo picked them out from a mum
ber Of others in the City Court room
The State then rested.
Self Defence Plea Set Up.
Leonard f. Wales in opening for tn
charged with the most serious offens
except treason to his country.
, Continuing Mr.. Wales said: 9TH
, defence does not deny that william
j. Kidd was shot by this prisoner. Kid
met his death as an accident; he wa
9 shot in obedience and this prisone
/ if guilty at all is guilty of manslaugh
ter alone. though the defence does no
admit he is guilty of any offence.
The defence, as then outlined by MI
Wales is that the Italians we're as
saulted by the crowd Of small boy
l. at Third and Madison streets. TIL
l. italians followed the boys TO SiNt
g and Adams. Mr.. Wales said Josep
Forrest was one of the crowd an
that Joseph Mammele cried TO hin
Co ahead Joe, we'll stand by you
70 According TO Mr.. Wales Russo saw on
of the young men pointing revolve
u at him and in self-defence he fire
his revolver and the bullet intende
* for the other youth pierced Willal
l. Continued on Page ?.