Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-20

p. Frank of Portland appeared as
counsel for the petitioner He stated
that Pietrantonio was but % years of
age when the crime for which he is
serving the sentence was committed.
Piotrantonio was assisting his brother,
Rinaido Pietrantonio, now of Portland,
in keeping a camp store at the head
waters of the Androscoggin, when his
brother was attacked with club and
knocked down by another Italian from
Berlin. Giuseppe, who was in the store
cutting cheese, came to the rescue of
his brother and wounded the assail-
ant with a cheese knife, so that he
died within a few hours.
The respondent by advice of coun-
gel pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but
received a sentence of eight years. A
petition in favor of the pardon was
presented by Hon. Nathan Clifford.
president of the Maine Senate, Mayor
Oakley c. Curtis and members of the
Portland city council. Letters were
read from Warden Fred b. Wiggin of
the Maine State prison, who testified to
the good behavior Of the respondent;
and from the mayor of the city in
Italy of which Giuseppe Pietrantonio
from eye witnesses of the affair to the
effect that the deed was done wholly
to prevent his brother from further at
tack by his assailant. The wife of
Guiseppi is at present in Italy, an in
valid with a crippled child, now about
five years of age, and the respondent
came to this country to earn money
to procure the comforts Of life for his
NJ 20 col rod hot ha hn.
lev. d the respondent to be warranted
in making the attack upon the man, as
he believed he was saving his brother
from being killed.
County Attorney r. #. Parker of
oxford county appeared in opposition,
claiming that the homicide was of an
entirely different nature from what
was claimed by the counsel for the pc
titioner and that the case was one of
wilful homicide. the respondent chas-
ing the Italian who was killed. stab
bling him twice in the back and dis
emboweling him. The sentence was
very light in view of the facts in the
case. Mr.. Frank in rebuttal stated
that he had heard that at the time OF
the trial the brothers of the
dead man were willing to sell out their
side of the case for $500 and that i'm
mediately after the trial they departed
for Spain.
Hon. NJ. T. ORrien of Portland ap-
peared as counsel for the Paulo Ceres
to, who is serving a sentence of eight
years for manslaughter, in connection
with the killing of a fellow Italian, An
tonic Jimino, in a quarrel in a club
room on Hampshire street. Portland.
Mr.. O'Brien claimed that the affair was
entirely accidental and presented let
tiers from the pastor of the Italian
church and from members of the Port
land Italian colony as 10 the young
mans good character. He said that
Ceresto now had en- opportunity To
take up employment in his fathers
vineyard in Italy His good record in
prison was certified to by Warden
Wiggin of the State prison. No one
appeared in opposition.
John 3. kehoe of Portland appeared
in favor of the petition for pardon of
Roy Cowan of Portland, who is serv
in. seVen-year sentence in State
prison at Fhomaston on two counts
for robbery. Counsel claimed that the
respondent had come 10 Portland from
the West, was hungry and without
funds when he held up two boys at
North Deering and took from one $3.50
and $1.75. and was arrested while eat
ing his luncheon at a lunch cart at
Morrills Corner. The severity of the
sentence was explained from the fact
that it was believed at the time that
Cowan was connected with series
of holdups, but il was afterwards
shown that he was not. A letter was
presented from Judge Connolly of the
Cumberland superior court stating that
if he was not connected with other
holdups the sentence was excessive, A
letter from County Attorney Samuel
l.. Bates was read in favor Of the par
don.
Police Inspector Thomas f.. Quinn of
Portland corroborated the statement
that Cowan was in no way connected
with other holdups. Mr.. Keh0e stated
that il Cowan was liberated 1T would
proceed at once to his home in Kansas.
No one appeared in opposition.
The next petition for pardon taken
up was that of Frank p. Kane of Port
land. who is serving four years In the
State prison for breaking. entering and
larceny of bed clothing and lead pipe
from the dwelling house of Margaret
Mccormick.
Harry e. Nixon appeared as counsel
for the petitioner and stated that Kane
was intoxicated when he stole the ar
ticles and that he stole them TO secure
money to buy liquor. He asked for
Communication of sentence to two years
The aged parents of Kane We're pres
ent IN the council chamber and We're
very much n.oved at Atty. Nixon was
arguing the case. Il hope you will be
willing to make happy Christmas for
the aged parents of Frank Kane said
the counsel. No one appeared in oppo-
sition.
The next case was that of Wallace
e. Everett of Paris, who is serving a
12years sentence in the State prison
for manslauehter. Merton l.. Kimball
Benefited Manv Who Had Iunu