Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-11-19
Pietrantonio Pardon Petition.

A petition has been received at ths
executive department at Augusta for thu
pardon OF Giuseppe Pietrsntonio, ar
italian who has served about two years
OF an eight years' sentence for man
slaughter for killing fellow-Italian al
the Aziscoos dam works in June, 1910
The petition sets forth that the crime
was committed without premeditation
or any evil motive or intent, on the i'm
pulse of the moment and under excite
ment caused by q brutal attack on two
Of his brothers by the person killed and
when IL seemed to him that their livel
were In danger from such an attack.
Among the signers to the petition are
about all the members of the Portland
city government.
While the pardon petition should be
considered strictly on Its merits, 1t may
not be amiss, as this was An Oxford
County case, to review briefly what was
shown regarding the affair In court.
Pietrantonio and two of bis brothers
were running the Italian store at the
works. There was evidently some
trouble at the camp among the Italians
on Sunday, the day before the killing.
Deputy Sheriff A. w. Hart, who was on
duty at the dam, tried to find out some
thing of what it was. but about all the
information he could get was that they
would "flnish tomorrow"
Soon after time for quitting work
Monday night, Gatenacci. the victim OF
the killing, sat on stump In front OF the
store, singing and making dumb show
of playing a violin. Some Of the wit.
nesses said that his singing was merely a
harmless ditty, while others said It was
something calculated to anger the
Pietrantonios. At any rate, there was a
scrimmage between Gatenacoi and the
other two Pietrantonio brothers, In
which clubs we're used. There was q
conflict of testimony with regard to the
circumstances, some of the witnesses
who were all Italians, saying that Gate.
nacci struck the first blow, while Others
we're Just Is positive that one of the
Pietrantonios struck first. 1t did NOT
appear that any one else acted with Ga
tenacci, and the two Pietrantonios were
young and vigorous men, and one oil
them man Of large and very muscular
build.
Giuseppe Pietrantonio then appeared
In the door OF the store, with long
knife In his hand, and running forward
stabbed Gatenacci three times, be
dying about an hour later. The knife
used was said to have been used fol
cutting cheese. It was made from f1le
and there was evidence that 1t was made
the day before the killing.
The three Pietranionio brothers ther
took to the woods, but were stopped BY
q posse Of men . few miles down thu
river.
Evidence was introduced to show thai
Gateuacci had made threats OF killing
tho Pistrantonios and burning theil
store.
At the following October term Of
court, Giuseppe Pietrantonio was To-
dicted for murder. but . plea OF man
slaughter was accepted BY tho state.
The evidence was heard BY Judge
Cornish, who presided at that term oil
court, to assist him 10 determining the
sentence. At the conclusion OF the evil
deuce Judge Cornish said that bis. MIND
was pretty clear ~ to the circums tances
and that the killing was absolutely un
justified" He sentenced Pietrantonit
to eight years In state prison.