Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-30

in Lawrence, Mass, Monday night, fol
Sheriff Wilbur c. Oliver of Sagadahot
county. vas brought to this city. this
noon, a secret indictment having been
reported against him. two weeks ago
charging him, with Resoul Kassem
Laclioli, with the murder of Kassem
Souleyman at Topsham, Sept. 3.
Lariioli was tried in the sagadahoc
county supreme court in this city, last
week, convicted and sentenced to life
Imprisonment at the State prison at
Thomaston, having been committed,
last Friday afternoon.
Today, the county officials stated
that Hiro had made a confession in
the presence of County Attorney Ed
ward w. Brigham. According TO this
confession, Hiro is quoted as saying
that ne left Lewiston. Sept. 3, in the
company of Resoul Kassem otherwise
known as LacliolD and Kassem Sonley-
man and that near the river in Tops
ham he stabbed Kassem Souleyman
once in the back because Resoul kas-
sem threatened to kill him II he didn't
assist him in the killing OF Kassem
Soulcyman.
Irasmueh as Judge Bird, who pre-
sided at the Laclioli trial. has not or
dered final adjournment of the Sag
adahoe county supreme court, although
he dismissed the traverse jury from
further service. last Saturday, but will
return here. Friday for additional
hearings, Hire will be kept at the eoun-
~ building until Friday. when he will
he arraigned. Should he plead guilty
to the murder charge it is likely he
would be sentenced then, but If he
should plead not guilty, it is likely that
he would be committed to Augusta
Jail to await the January term of
court.
Sheriff Oliver is receiving the con-
gratula tons Of numerous citizens of
Sagadahoc county for the speedy man
ner III which he has acted in this case
from the very start. The sheriff. how
ever gives half the credit to the AL
banian interpreter, Constantine Benos
Of Lewiston, who has been Of material
assistance to him, and Coroner n.
Gratz Jackson. especially in interview
ing the Albanians and Greeks, who
were called into the case.
II was on the sixth day of Septem-
her that the murdered body of Seuley-
man was found floating in the Andro-
scoggin river near the Topsham
shore. Sheriff Oliver Immediately went
TO work on the case with the result
that In a few weeks Sheriff oliver
asked Judge Keegan for warrants for
the arrest of Resoul Kassem Laclioli
end Braho Hiro, charging them with
the murder On the morning of Oct. 6,
Laclioli was arrested in Lewiston by
Police Officer Crowley and the same
day turned over to Sheriff oliver. He
was indicted by the grand jury. Oct.
II, and the case went to trial, Oct. 20.
on Oct. %, the special drawn jury adj
Judged him guilty and he was SEN
fenced to life Imprisonment.
A sceret indictment had also been
found against Braho Hiro and when
Judge Bird ordered a recess of court
last Saturday. Sheriff oliver immedi-
ately commenced to get busy in an eff
fort to locate the missing Albanian.
Summoning Benos, the interpreter, the
two went to the State prison at
Thomaston, where they interviewed
I4aclioli. but he would give them no
information about Hiro. Returning.
Sunday morning. they went to Man
sehester. N. H., to run down some clews
and these carried them to Lawrence,
Mass, where Benos enlisted the sup
port OF some Greeks and after setting
them to work to hunt down Hiro. the
sheriff and the interpreter went to
Lowell. Monday night, to make
search In the meantime the Greeks In
Lawrence had proved faithful to their
trust and located Hiro in Room IS, at
No. 5l3 Essex street, and so reported
n the police. The police arrested Hiro
END then notified Sheriff Oliver by tel
ephone and the latter. accompanied by
Renos, Immediately returned to Law
renee by automobile.
Arriving at the police station Benos
was unable To definitely identify Hiro.
The prisoner had evidently been lying
on his face and hands after being
placed in a cell, while his face was
smooth shaven. Added to this Hiro
refused TO talk Albanian, giving Benos
10 understand that he was Bull
garian. Benos then happened to think
about a friend of Hiro's, Arthur Babi-
lous of Manchester, so he was sent for
by telephone. Babilous arrived in
Lawrence, Tuesday noon and when
he arrived at the police station and
saw Hiro there was an immediate eX-
change of greetings between the two
men. Benos, who stood by, interpret
ed the conversation. then put a word
10 the prisoner. who answered 1t in
his native tongue and the next min
ute revealed his identity. Hiro waived
his extradition rights and agreed to
accompany Sheriff Oliver to Bath
without trouble.
The sheriff reports that the trip TO
this city was a sad one for Hiro es-
peciaIly when the train reached Bid
deford and Resonl Barthi of Augusta,
a cousin Of the murdered man, step
ped aboard Barthi at once held an
excited conversation with the prisoner
which the sheriff could not understand
but at the conclusion of which Hiro
broke down and sobbed like a child.
Sheriff Oliver further states that
Hiro talked willingly with him about
the crime, stating that he and Laelloli
induced Souleyman TO leave Lewiston
with them on a trolley car and then
No