Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-10-19
the county attorney of Penobscot

ne NoCeili Vase
Hon. Frank A. Morey of Lewiston
appeared as counsel for Angelo
Nocelli, who was serving a sentence OF
eight years for assault with intent to
kill. Michael Ross. Aug. %, 1911, the
crime being committed in Jay, Frank
lin county, and the trial taking place
at term of court when five murder
cases We're on trial
Nocelli peladed guilty with the un-
derstanding that he would be let off
with a fine, according 10 a statement
in letter from Hon. Sumner p. Mills
of Pennington, read by the petition
er's counsel.
Nocelli is a young man 80 years of
age and has a wife 20 years of age.
He has never violated any law pre-
vious to the sentence and was at work
at jay for the paper company and had
been in charge of a. machine for some
time when the assault occurred
Michael Rossi, an older and heavier
Italian was at the machine one morn
ing when Nocelli went to work. Ae
cording to Nocelli's story Rossi made
slurring, remark about his wife and
afterwards struck him in the eye and
with a stick upon the shoulder. He
admitted striking Nocelli in the left
side with knife. Nocelli's injury
was only sufficient, however, to keep
him in the hospital for a few days.
A petition signed by ITO citizens of
Jay. including deputy sheriffs and Sc
leetmen of the town, was filed by Atty
Morey The town was now obliged to
contribute to the support of Noceli's
family, said he, and added there Fhad
been no previous trouble between
Ross and Noceli. The sentence was
unjust and unequal, for at the same
term of court man was indicted for
murder, tried and convicted of man
slaughter and given only a fyey years
sentence.
The wife and six children, the
youngest born since Nocelli was in
council chamber.
Hon. Cyrus \. Blanchard of Wilton,
county attorney of Franklin county,
appeared in opposition te the pardon.
He contended that Rossi was driven
from the machine and hit in the back
by Nocelli, who fled to Portland. and
on his apprehension told the officer
that he intended to kill Rossi. He
knew of no understanding that Nocelli
was to be let off with fine.
The county attorney declared that he
had but little respect for the deputy
sheriff and the selectmen of the viii
lage of Riley, who had signed the par
don petition and declared that their
family was supported by the town OF
Jay. Il for one do not believe in the
recall of judicial decisions said the
county attorney.
1T might not be safe for you TO say
it," remarked Councillor Kimball with
a droll smile.
I dare to speak my feelings. | am
not ashamed to say it, replied the
county attorney with emphasis.
Atty. Morey doubted that Nocelli
would shave said to the officer that he
intended to kill Rossi and thought the
officer misunderstood him.
Did you state that if Noeelli hat
served three years you would hav,
made no opposition to his pardon2 p
asked Atty. Morey of the county attor-
ney.
I made similar statement" adj
mitted Mr.. Blanchard.
Atty. Morey said that he would bt
satisfied with the Communication of the
sentence to three years.
The county attorney quoted al
Italian who came to him with the par
don petition as saying that the select
men were anxious to have Nocelli par
dened that he might support his fam
lily. He had told the man who
brought the petition that he thought
that three years was soon enough fol
a petition for executive clemency il
any case.
Sheriff w Burton Small of King
field testified that Nocelli had knocked
down a deputy sheriff during a liquor
raid at the Italians house. Some
beer was found at the raid but the
man was not held and the charge OF
assaulting the officer was not pressed
you didn't think the assault was
serious enough to press the case;
haven't you colored the story bit?'
asked Atty. Morey.
I'VE thought as we couldn't hold him
on the liquor we wouldn't press ths
assault cha ROE - ranIied tho sheriff