The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-01-29
GREEK TELLS STORY OF
MURDER OF C0UATRYMAN
VacOs Puts in Trying Day on
Stand; Testimony AL
most All In.
Special TO The Tribune.

Special to The Tribune.
OGDEN, Jan. 2S.-For practically the
entire day Nick Vacos, charged with mur-
der In the first degree. occupied the wit
ness stand in the district court today
and time and again was required to re-
view the tragedy in which John Contos,
a fellow countryman, came to his death
at the hands Of the prisoner.
At frequent times in his examinatio ton
the prisoner exhibited extreme nervous
ness. Many times he took his handker-
chief and mopped the perspiration in
streams from his brow. Again, when he
point for which he could not remember
the correct word in the English language,
the prisoner would rise to his feet and
gesticulate excitedly.
Despite his nervousness, the prisoner
showed wonderful degree OF caution in
framing his replies. He refused to an
swer any question until he thoroughly un-
derstood It.
Attorney Sam King, Vacos's counsel.
carried him over the transactions which
led TO Contos's death step by step The
witness declared that Contos was trying
to get his fruit stand away from him,
and had stated that he didn't care SO
much for the small sum he owed him, but
wanted his business Vacos said that
he went to Contos a number of times and
begged him for more time The prisoner
said he literally got down on his knees
to Contos and took his hand and kissed
II, and then implored him not to take
away his only means OF livelihood. but
that Contos turned deaf ear to his
pleadings.
The afternoon OF the killing Vacos said
ne saw Contos in Carr's drug store, with
his hands behind his back, and with the
butt Of revolver plainly visible be-
meath his coat Later on he went to
his business. declared the prisoner, AS
he walked in the front OF the confec-
tionery store. Contos was selling Jap
a small package of candy. The defendant
Contos and asked him to be more lenient
and give him few more days tc pay
the Indebtedness. For a reply, Con tos
called the defendant a vile name and
a weapon, when, the defendant declared,
he fired one shot and then left the
building. At the time Contos was killed,
Vacos swore, he was wearing white
apron which reached almost to his col
lar. and he was trying to get his re-
yolver from under this apron when the
defendant fired.
The defendant explained his actions af
ter the killing, when he remained at
large for several days. as having been due
to his excited condition. which, he said,
caused him 10 temporarily lose his mind
But for the examination OF several 9TH
er witnesses on immatcrlal matters con-
nected with the case, nothing additional
was brought out at today's rial. When
the hour OF adjournment arrived the court
declared that ne would take the matter
OF allowing evidence as to the reputation
OF the dead man under advisement until
tomorrow morning. The defense now
closed It's case, and with the examination
of one or two more witnesses for the
state In rebuttal the trial. which has been
on for over week. Will come 10 close:
IT Is probable that all the testimony VIII
be in by the noon hour tomorrow, when
the arguments of the attorneys engaged
In the trial will begin.