The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1913-06-10


preme court OF the United States has
affirmed the decision OF the New Jer-
sey courts dismissing the application
of Porter Charlton for a writ of habeas
corpus to prevent his extradition to
Italy to stand trial for murder Charl-
ton killed his wife, who was formerly
Mary Scott Castle of San Fran
cisco, in Italy, more than three
years ago. This decision comes on
the third anniversary of the finding OF
the murdered wifes body in Lake
Como.
One of the most brutal crimes in
European annals was that of Charl-
toms to which he has confessed. An
inn at an Italian village named Malt
rasio, was it's scene. Hotel employees
heard violent quarreling between Mr..
and Mrs. Charlton on the night of
June Z, 1910. The next day the couple
had disappeared. Three days later,
figured was found in Lake Como. The
head was crushed into a pulp. A
heavy mallet was the instrument of
death.
Charlton, former judge of Porto Rico,
fed from Italy. He was arrested at
Hoboken, N. j., June %, 1910, when
he stepped from the North German
Lloyd liner Princess Irene" He
made no effort to conceal his identity.
Later he confessed Eminent special
lists declare him insane. The young
man was Of prominent and respected
parentage. He was born in Omaha
September 20, 1888. He worked in a
New York bank until April / 1910.
In early childhood he was said to have
been subject to extreme fits of rage.
In later years he became solitary and
morose, locking himself in his room to
read poetry and novels. He developed
tuberculosis in 1910. His father was
arranging to send him to the army
told of secret marriage few weeks
before to Mrs. Castle.
Mrs. Charlton was divorcee, the |
former wife OF prominent San Fran
cisco attorney. She was twice the |
age OF her husband but described as
beautiful and young looking, despite |
dissipation. The two were married in |
New York on March IL, 1910. When |
they told the young mans father of the |
wedding a violent quarrel followed.
On April IS, 1910 Charlton and his
bride sailed from New ork for Genoa.
Charlton's father later received foul
which were rambling and incoherent.
Charlton refused to speak to his ia
ther when the two met after the boys
arrest at Hoboken. The estrangement
has continued although the father has
spent small fortune in attempting to
keep his son from being sent back
to Italy to life sentence in Italys
underground prisons where murderers
longer than few years. Physicians
declare it would mean death to the
boy within six months because of his
weakness.
ing sent to Italy the history of the ,
boys family has been opened and it
has been shown that CharltOns grand
mother died of alcoholism, his great
brother accidentally shot and killed
Mrs Charlton it is con-
tended was victim of erratic insan-
ity. She had been treated for insanity
and people with whom she lived in t
boarding houses on Vermont avenue a
and Fourteenth street in Washington, t
declare she was guilty of alcoholic ex- t.
,esses and ecentricities of temperament s
and action that twice forced her to c
move. Her family was prominent in s
San Francisco society. f
In seeking freedom by habeas corpus g.
Charlton's attorneys al b
eyed that the New Jersey courts in "
.efusing the receive testimony of al a
eyed insanity and for recognizing
taly's demands for his extradition In t.
Jew OF alleged violation of extradi- ri
ion treaty by that country. Since W
passing of new penal code, Italy
las refused to recognize this govern
nent's requests for extradition from "A
tally to the United States of Italian hi
itizens arrested in Italy. The New OF
ersey courts dismissed the habeas p.
orpus petition after former Secretary Ice