Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-03-13

BENZ WAS ALIVE
AFTER CONTACT
Took Three Shocks to Put
the Perth Amboy MUIR
derer to Death.
DOCTORS IN DOUBT
Third Unofficial Contact
Turned on to Make Sure
Of the Work.

Walking between guards and two
priests. and appearing as though he
was the most unconcerned man In
all the world, Marino BENZ. who shot
and killed two men In this city last
September, went to his death In the
electric chair at the state prison In
Trenton shortly after 8 O'Clock last
night He was given 1900 volts OF
electricity. There were two official
|shocks and third was given unof-
|flcially because some of the examin-
ing physicians, among whom were
DR.. ]. l.. MacDowell. of this city. be-
lieved he was not dead.
The condemned man entered the
death chair at 8:13.46 o'clock and
was given the first contact minute
later after the straps and electrodes
had been applied to his head and
leg, At 6:14.40 o'clock he was
given the second ofIieial contact and
was pronounced dead six minutes
later after a third and unofficial
contact OF about Ave seconds had
been given.
Thought Him Still Alive.
After the second shock DR.. F. g.
Hammond, official physician at the
execution, made an examination and
Electrician Davis, who applied the
current, pronounced him dead. DR..
Hammond called physicians in the
audience OF about twenty men and
asked them to examine the murder
|er. Some thought there might be q
spark of life left and avoid any diff
ficulty Electrician Davis threw In the
switch that gave contact OF about
five seconds. Some OF the physicians
were of the opinion that Benz might
has pushed his body forward as to
avoid some OF the contact. Others
thought the rainy weather might
have affected the current.
Believed Him bnormal.
A number of the examining phys
icians thought Benz abnormal owing
to the manner In which he acted
prior to his execution. Although
possessed OF full knowledge of what
was coming to him he appeared un-
concerned and walked to the chair,
Sheriff Bo1lschweiler, who was pres
|ent, said today, as though he was
walking into store TO make a puT-
chase. The sheriff and Or. MacDnw-
|eIl were the only witnesses from this
Ecfty.
T3snf retained his nervs all day
yesterday and sang together with
the other condemned men in death
row" Those who Joined him In the
|chorous were Allison MacFarland,
who poisoned his wife In Newark,
and Charles Clayton, who killed 4
policeman In Asbury Park. The lat
ter was also to have met his death
With E.ni last night, put mis- coun-
|sel secured reprieve for him, and
he will live for thirty days at least.
MacFarland Is under sentence to die
next week. but 1t Is believed his
counsel will also secure stay.
Beni Leaves Family.
Beni leaves wife and child living
In Italy. He had no relatives in this
country. His body will be buried
today in the prison cemetery In
Cedar lane.
He had originally been sentenced
to die December 4, but his counsel,
Theodore Strong, made application
before Governor Wilson and the
slayer was granted reprieve In or
der that the case could be brought
before a special session of the Board
of Pardons, at which Communication
OF the death sentence was asked up
on the grounds that Benz was in
sane The original verdict VICE at
firmed.
Think Beni Mentally Unsoum1.
1t was generally believed by some
county and state officials that Beni
was mentally unsound. This belief
was held by Rev. Columbino CALAIS
81. rector of the Church Of Cur Lady
Of the Most Holy Rosary, after BENZ
sobbed and cried and sometimes
joked between cries when
the priest was with him
for several hours Monday morning.
Benz then expressed sorrow for his
crime and was repentant. He blam-
ed his act upon his boarding boss.
score of excuses given by the MUIR
derer the authorities have taken lit
tie stock In 1t. Chief Burke stated
this morning 1t appeared to him as
though Beai was reyengeful fell
low and shot three men because dur
ing jubilee In their boarding house
one OF them had slapped nina In the
face. Detective Sergeant Long ad-
yanced the belief of his that the
shooting was the outcome OF friend
liness between the boarding mistress
and boarders. 1t appeared Benf had
been well liked, but newcomers had
taken his place which he objected to.
aaAc,yyEEn Masked nnHnEEc Efiin