The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-01-27
DID CON 7 OS
INTEND TO
SHOOT
DID NICK VAcos KILL HIM IN
SElF-OEFENSE.
Attorney for Defendant Makes scnsa.
tionaI Declarations In the Muir.
der TrIal-Was Vacos lnsane7

Upon the resumption of the Yacos
murder case this morning the state
rested and Attorney S r King, for
Vacos. outlined the defense.
Judging from Mr. Kings outline, It
seems likely that the defense will en-.
denvor to prove either insanity or self
defense. as an attempt was made at
the morning session 10 show that Va
cos was unaccountable for his ac-
tons on the day OF the tragedy, and
that Contos had previously displayed
a weapon with which he had said he
feared being obliged TO use on Vacos
Briefly summarized, Mr.. King s
statement was as follows:
The defendant, Nick Vacos, is thirty
three years oil age, is married man,
having a wife and two children, and
has been In America ten years. Vacos
Is n native of Greece. Since being III
this country he has lived IN Cincin
natl. Chicago, Nashville, Minneapolis.
Salt Lake and Ogden. For two and
one~half years he has been In the re-
tail fruit business. In Salt Lake Vacos
borrowed sufficient money from Tom
Politz with which to open fruit and
confectionery stand on Twenty-ilith
street. this city. The dclense AYERS
that, shortly after VacoS began opera
tlonS here. he was approached by
John Contos. who proposed advancing
sufficient money to pay of the indeoS-
edness 10 Politz. The money, Sl71.50
was accepted without the Iormality of
signing any note. A short time there
after Contos induced VacoS 20 sign a
demand for hn Sharfl,-
following this transaction Contos had
a writ of attachment served on Vacos.
maintaining that the defendant was
secretly disposing of the property.
Vacos consulted George Mccormick,
an Ogden lawyer and found that the
writ hnd been fraudulently secured.
The defendant. on divers occasions.
pleaded with Contos for leniency. beg
cling fifteen days time In which 10
pay the debt. On April 3, 1909, the
two met at a candy store. at which
place 1t is claimed that Contos made
movement as II TO draw gun. The
tragedy followed.
j. r. I.emmc was the first witness
oallod by the defense. lie testified
that Vacos was highly nervous-prac-
tically crazy-on the day OF the shoot
ing; that the defendant had Deen IN
his 0Jemmc's) store on the morning
OF April 3 10 purchase a vest, but. not
appearing TO be suited with the article
proffered, WIS seized with a violent
frenzy and had thrown tho vest lnto
the street
Jim Kolonis stated that ne was
present at the time when Vacos
pleaded with Contos for time TO pay
tho debt, which led 10 the trouble
that the defendant cried pIteousiy and
seemed fairly beside himself.
Constable Rogers, who served tho
writ of attachment, testified that
Vacos was OF highly nervous dispo-
siton
AS tho clock struck IL a recess was
taken until O'Clock
Afternoon Session,
A hnlf-illed court room was the
scene this afternoon of an attempt on
the part of John Pitchos 10 translate.
from Greek into English Chrlsts ser
mon on the Mount Pitchos was en-.
gagged at Vacos' preliminary hearing
TO translate such OF the testimony az
number OF Creek witnesses were
unable to give in English Attorneys
Halverson and Harris, for the state.
are endeavoring to prove that the man
Is incompetent to properly perform
the work entrusted 10 him. At press
time, Pitchos was being closely oucs.
toned
II Is possible that the case Will reach
the jury some time tomorrow.