The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-03-17
BARASA'S LIFE
Is THREATENED
FORMER HANCOCK MAN is HAv-
ING STRENUOUS TIME IN
CASE IN kALAMA-
y zoo COURT.

According TO the Kalamazoo Evening
Press, some of the Italians of that
city who are not i'm sympathy with
Michael Onofio, charged with the muir
der of Joe Mourello. have threatened
to kill Bernard p. Barasa, Of Chicago
formerly of Hancock, who is defending
the accused man. The Press also says
that others who are identified with the
defense have been threatened.
The Press says that Judge Knappen,
before whom the alleged murder is be-
ing tried, was informed that Italians
had been purchasing automatic re-
volvers and that the threat to kill Mr..
Barasa was made by the relatives of
the slain man.
An exciting scene was enacted in the
court room the day the trial opened.
The widow of the murdered man and
her sister attempted to attack Onofio
The accused man collapsed and stood
behind officer Pikkaart for protection.
Mrs. Mourello and her sister rushed
at Onofio like two maniacs. They
pushed their way through the crowd
until they were within a few feet Of
Onofio. Mrs. Mourello finally succeed
ed in reaching Onofio and she struck
him a blow on the face. An officer
who attempted to pull the widow
away was attacked by her sister, who
also fought furiously in her attempt
to reach Onofio.
Barasa Made Strono Plea
The Press says that Mr.. Barasa made
n powerful plea in behalf of the ac-
cused man. who was the only witness
for the defense. Although practically
no defense for the prisoner was es-
tablished through the evidence add
duced. Attorney Barasa, the Evening
Press states, presented an exceptional
ly strong argument He dwelt upon
the ignorance OF the defendant, urg-
ing ii as an excuse for his inability
to satisfactorily explain his move
ments preceding the Staying of Mou
relic, and set up the claim that the
latter was killed during a brawl.
1.-The brother and wife demand the
conviction of this man." said Attorney
Barasa. mot because they know he
killed .Mourello. but because of the
blind, unreasoning demand for revenge
that permeates them. They possess
that Sicilian feeling that when a mem
Der of family is slain, blood must
atone for the murder. and as long as
blood is spilled in response to this re-
vengeful spirit, IL makes no difference
to them whether the victim who furn
ishes it is guilty or innocent"
The attorney for the prisoner then
proceeded to declare that Mourelo had
died as the result of a general brawl
and by strong innuendo he intimated
that those in the home of the slain
man at the time the officers arrived
took part in the bloody melee
"The sanguinary nature of Mourello
is evidenced by the many weapons
found in his home" declared the law
yer for the defendant. His house
resembled an arsenal. am an Italian.
but ! must say that ii is a disgrace to
the people of my race that they load
up their homes in law abiding Ameri-
can cities with shotguns, rifles, revolv-
ers and other murderous weapons as
though they were living in the jungles
of Africa, instead of in this peaceful
country. / have always raised my
voice in protest against such actions
and will continue to do so until the
day of my DEATH"