The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-16
Lawyers Ask the Board
of Pardons to Change
the Sentences to I'M
prisonment
FIFTY CASES
ON THE DOCKET
Number Is So Unusually Large That It
Is Decided to Hear Half of Them at
an Adjourned Session to Be Held
Next Tuesday

The list of eases for argument be-
fore the Board of Pardons here to-day
was SO large that the Board decided
to hear half to-day and the other half
next Tuesday. There are fifty all told.
Lieutenant Governor Reynolds made
the announcement, saying that the list
was the largest since the organization
OF the present Board and it would be
impossible to hear all of them at one
days session.
Two of the cases were continued,
leaving "a to be heard on each dav.
On announcing this Lieutenant Govern
'or Reynolds said that if any of the
attorneys desired to exchange days for
hearing of their cases the Board would
permit it, but would hear no more than
half to-day.
The case of John Vane Tempest, of
Berks county, embezzlement, was with
drawn, as the plaintiff is said to be on
parole. The case of Vineente Figeuero,
Lebanon, was stricken from the list, no
one appearing for him.
The only Dauphin county case, that
OF Luka Zareovic murder, second de-
gree, was continued until next Tuesday.
AS were also those of Samuel Basso.
Luzerne, statutory rape, and John De-
Lorenzo, Fayette, murder, second de-
gree.
Interest in Murderers' Gases
Interest centered in the hearing of
the three men condemned for murder
who desire their death sentences com
mn tal IN MI.
first was that of Rocco Tassone, under
sentence of death III Lancaster county
for the killing of fruit dealer named
Collatl. The case was presented by
Benjamin c. Atlee, who said that Tas-
some, weak minded Italian, had been
compelled by two brothers named vi
tall, fruit dealers in Lancaster, to kill
Goliath, their rival. The Vitali broth
ers have both been convicted and are
under sentence of death. District At
torney John C. Roth said that, while he
did not appear to oppose the pardon,
yet there was nothing by which lenien-
cy could be extended, although the man
is weak mentally
The case of Germenia Acitellio, of
Clearfeld, murder in first degree, who
killed a man who was intimate with
his alleged wife, was presented by A.
l.. Cole, who insisted that the murder
was not premeditated and that there
was nothing in the evidence to show
that it was anything but a killing un-
der severe provoeation, as Weedo. the
murdered man, had stolen Acitellio s
common law wife. At best, he held,
it was only murder in the second
degree.
Judge Pleads for Slayer
Alfred 4. Jones presented the case
Of Isaiah Croson, of Fayette, a colored
man, who killed one of his guests dur
ing fight at a celebration of his wed
ding ar II arsary. This occurred in
January, 1913, and twice was Croson s
case taken to the Supreme Court. The
verdict was reversed once, after which
there was a second conviction and a
refusal to- reverse the second time.
The man killed, Mr.. Jones held, went to
the anniversary celebration drunk and
raised fight, and Croson killed him in
self-defense. A letter was read from
Judge Umbnl asking Communication for
"this most unfortunate man. Phe
District Attorney made no opposition,
except to write that he thought the
man was rightfuliv convicted.
The Board will announce its action
on the various cases this evening.