The Washington herald., 1913-09-21
TELLS
Different STORY
New Version Of Murder Given
By Slayer to Italian
Authorities.
HE MAY BE ACQUITTED
Unidentified American Comes to Aid
of Young Uxoreide; Prisoner
Is Cheerful.
He MAY BE ACQUITTED
lecial Cahl. % The Mashinrtnn H.rnld

SPECIAL Gable TO The Washington Herald
Rome, Sept. 20.-After = fortnight of in
/ tense mental anguish. during which a
| thirty-year sentence stared him in ths
face day and night. Porter Charlton now
breathes little more freely.
He has received letter stating that
through the intervention of some sympa-
thetic friends. who want to give him
tevery possible chance, Judge Palmieri had
reconsidered his decision pot to defend
him and had retained as associate Signor
Giovanni PorZio. a deputy in the Italian
Parliament and one of Italy's most fam
Gus criminal lawyers.
Until a few days ago Charlton's chance
of having even a fair trial was slim.
and the young man brooded over it.
Has No Financial Resources.
He informed Judge Rognoni. who con-
Quoted the preliminary investigation. ths I
his fathers financial resources had been
completely exhausted during the long
legal battle fought in the United States
10 wrest him from the Italian court, and
he had now no alternative but to avail
himself of they free legal assistance TO
which, under the Italian law. a destitute
defendant Is entitled. NJ
The answer was anything but reas-
suring. as Charlton was unable to submit
TO the proper authorities a certificate
proving he was not a property owner,
nor could he assert he came from a fam
lily of paupers.
Besides, the Judge told him that while
at the trial a lawyer would be assigned
TO defend him, stiIl his chance of get
ting a short sentence rested wholly with
his lawyers ability in conducting the
case and preparing the defense and in the
alienists' opinions.
The ind Al ptrf haf ha a a
lawyer who would take more than formal
interest in the case.
Help from an American.
Then Charlton asked for list of Italy $
weH-known lawyers and asked them 10
come to his aid The replies were ut
terly discouraging: they showed him that
Italian criminal lawyers are nearly as
expensive as their American brothers.
Is despair, Charlton wrote to an Amer
ican here whose name hld been suggested
TO him. The final result was that Judge
Palmieri consented to induce Deputy Por-
zio to look after Charltons interests
while the financial question was being
discussed.
Deputy Porzio's first step was to ac-
quaint Charlton with the Italian penal pro-
cedure under which witnesses for both
the defendant and the prosecution Iesid-
Italy 10 testify. but may be heard either
before the Italian consul or a United
States Commissioner in the district where
they reside, their deposition being read at
the trial
News Cheers Charlton.
This was the FIRST cheering piece of
news which had reached the prison for
days. He Immediately sent to Deputy
pOrzin af NJ nf friend 9
who will testify in his favor about
his past behavior and reputation. and
also of. two family physicians who will
make affidavits to the effect that at diff
ferent periods OF his life he suffered from
nervous disorders.
It-is now clear that the first fight over
Charlton is to be fought in New York,
where former Judge Palmieri will con-
duct an examination of witnesses before
the Italian Consul
This, however. will cause considerable
delay. the matter must be conducted
through diplomatic channels
Present IRquIry secret.
These examinations over. the pre-
liminary investigation will be closed and
dictment section Of the court. which Is
equivalent TO the American grand jury.
1t is only after this verdict has been re-
turned that the date OF the trial can be
fixed.
Copies of all the proceedings. compris-
ing the dispositions Of all witnesses for
the prosecution and defense. as well as
the examination of the prisoner, with
copies or descriptions Of the exhibits, are
turned over to the lawyers and to the
Kings Prosecutor"
Although during these stages the in
vestigation is strictly secret and the
prisoner is not allowed. to communicate
with the lawyers. yet il is known
that Porter Charlton has substantially