Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-20
VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY
Prisoner Several Times Walks Over
to the Jury Box.
SAYS HE FEARED FOR HIS LIFE
Declares Victim, His Son-in-Law,
Assumed Menacing Attitude
When Refused Money.

In what was regarded as one Of the
most dramatic recitals of a tragedy
ever heard in the local criminal courts.
Frank Mannarino, the Italian fruit
seller charged with the killing of his
son-in-law, Frank Cristaudo, last
Christmas eve. today told Justice
Wright and the jury that he acted in
seif-defense. fearing bodily harm from
Cr1staudo. His statement so impressed
the jury that verdict of not guilty was
returned.
In the course of his narration the de-
fendant arose from the witness stand
several times and approached the jury
box. In his vehemence he lost his
control Of English and had to resort
to his native tongue for the expression
of his thoughts. So frequently did
Mannarino relapse into Italian that it
was found necessary to keep an in
terpreter at his side while he was
testifying.
Charges that Cristaudo had resorted 10
Black Hand letters for the extortion
OF money from Mannarino on former
occasions, and from others, were testified
to by Mrs. Severino Pettinolo. a daugh-
ter or the defendant. She declared she
had seen the letters and told the jury
that Black Hand communications consti-
tuted the principal source OF income Of
Crtstaudo. who, she stated, had been in
trouble therefrom in other sections OF the
country.
Explaining his plea of self-defense. Man
narino stated that on the day OF the homi-
eide Cristaudo entered his store, displaying
ill-temper and demanded 500. The de-
fendant told the jury that he had been
advised several days previously that
Cristaudo was going to make the demand
and If he was refused intended to do
the witness. Cristaudo's wife had also
told him that her husband had threat
ened to kill him. Mannarino stated.
Refuses the Demand.
When the demand was made. Mamma
rino said. he told Cristaudo that he must
be crazy: that he was old and had NO
money. and that It would be impossible
for him to raise the money.
Cristaudo, assuming a threatening At
titude. Mannar1no said. started toward
him. and, blocking the way to the strsst.
put his hand in his pocket. Mannar1no
said he feared for his life. and. reaching
for his pistol, fired at random toward
Christaudo.
The widow OF the man killed and
daughter Of the defendant testified in her
fathers behalf. She told OF threats made
by her husband against her fathers Life,
which she communicated to her father.
Mrs. Cristaudo told of an incident
which happened fifteen days after her
marriage. She said her husband, TAX
ing a sharp knife. cut his finger and.
catching the blood in a glass in which
he poured whisky, drank it in her
presence, with a view, she thought. of
terrorizing her.
The jury. accepting. the plea OF SELF
defense, returned a verdict OF not guilty.
Mannarino was discharged from custody.
The announcement of the verdict
brought the audience in the courtroom
to its feet with an expression of approval.
The Italians in the assembly. relatives
and friends of the accused, crowded
around him. The courtroom resounded
with the kisses showered upon him by his
friends of both sexes.
Attorneys w. E. Ambrose and f. 8.
Paladinf represented the defendant,
and Assistant United States Attorney
Turner conducted the prosecution.