Evening journal., 1915-05-13
KRAKUS IN TEARS
As END DRAWS NEAR
Spends Last Day on Earth
Reading Prayers; Writes
to Brother
EXPECT STATEMENT
AFTER EXECUTION

With less than twenty hours to
live. Peter Krakus, alias Melba, muir
derer of Patrolman Francis X. Tier
ney who will be hanged tomorrow
morning at the workhouse, appears
to be weakening. For the first time
since his arrest on March 8, when
he killed officer Tierney and serious
ly wounded Patrolmen Willard
Sharpless and Horace Mcdaniel,
Krakus last night showed that his
nerve was breaking. While sitting in
his cell, tears streamed down his
cheeks. This morning the condemned
man arose early and ate a hearty
breakfast, after which he wrote a
letter to his brother, I. Krakus, OF
Cambridge, Mass. Krakus spent the
remainder of the morning reading his
prayer hook and conversing with a
visiting priest
Although Krakus yesterday denied
to his attorney, David ]. ReinhardL
and Sergeants David Wardle and Will
liam f. Schell. that he had any part
in the murder of the Rev. Joseph ze-
brows and Miss Eva Gilman, the
priests housekeeper, in New Britain,
Conn, last February, his denial Is
doubted. According to those who have
talked with him, Krakus most likely
Will issue a statement, which will be
published after the hanging tomorrow
morning. This opinion is shared by
| guards at the workhouse. In fact,
krakus several days ago, expressed a
wish to make a statement and he was
directed to make it in writing.
That either Krakus or Charles p.
Montvid, who was arrested here fol-
lowing the murder of Patrolman
Tierney. are telling falsehood about
the Zebrows murder is declared by the
local authorities, and Michael Malin-
owski of the State Attorneys Office
Of Connecticut, who arrived here TO-
day to interview Krakus this after
noon. Montvid, following his return
to Connecticut, at the close of the
Krakus trial here, was charged with
the murder of the Rev. Father Ze-
brows and his housekeeper. Montvid
It is understood, escorted the New
Britain police to the home of the
murdered priest and there re-enacted
the happenings of the night of Fehru-
airy s, when the crime was committed
Not only this, but Montvid accom-
panied the officers to where he and
Krakus had concealed a pair Of
shears which they had used in forcing
a door in the priests home. These
facts we're, learned by David ]. Rein
hsrdt, the condemned mans attorney
who visited New Britain some time
ago to inquire about Krakus life In
that section.
When spoken to this morning abou
his visit to New Britain, Mr.. Rein
hardt said he had no statements L
make, as he was employed by thu
court to defend Krakus and therefore
was in the same capacity as cour
officer.
While talking to Detective Sergean
Wardle and Sergeant Schell yester
day, Krakus said that Montvid wa
not a friend of his and he and Mont
vid had nothing to do with the muir
der of Father Zebrows. Krakus CAV
the officers the names of three mel
whom he said might know something
of the murder. These were Charles
Casey, Joseph Gilman and William
Ginsburg, and they live in Massachu
sets.
Officer Malinowski today. said h,
did not put much faith in Krakus
statement about these men.
Officer Malinowski today conferred
with Acting Chief of Police Kan,
and Mr.. Reinhsrdt, after which h,
went to the ONCE Of Attorney Gen
eral Wolcott The Connecticut Of
fieer will interview Krakus this after
noon and he may remain here to wit
ness the hanging.
Krakus is occupying cell No 1. il
the west wing of the worlShouse
which is but a few feet from thu
tunnel leading TO the yard where thu
scaffold was erected yesterday an,
! tested