Evening journal., 1915-07-17
BROTHER PLEADS
FOR PARDON FOR
NONTVID, Slayer
Tells Connecticut Governor
Condemned Man Is Inno-
cent OF Priests Death
POINTS TO KRAKUS AS
TIE Double MURDERER

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
HARTFORD, Conn, July 17.-An
appeal that he save the life of Ber-
nard Montvid, under sentence to be
hanged on August FOR the murder
of the Rev. Joseph Zebris and his
housekeeper, Miss Eva Gilmanaitis.
in New Britain. February s. was re-
ceived late yesterday by Governor
Marcus H. Holcomb. The letter was
written by Montvids brother, An
thony Montvid, Of Chicago, who was
here during the trial of Montvid and
testified to his brothers previous
good reputation.
II is evident from the letter that
Anthony Montvid had some one write
it for him. The body Of the letter is
in a round hand. such as is taught in
the public schools, and the belief is
that a school child wrote 1t at his die
tation and that he signed it.
Montvid is in the death house in
the State prison, sentenced to die for
the crime committed by himself and
Peter Krakus, who was executed in
Delaware for the murder OF Policeman
Francis X. Tierney, Of Wilmington.
Governor Holcomb has no power to
commute the sentence Of death The
most he can do is TO grant a reprieve
until the next meeting of the board of
pardons. This board has final juris-
diction. It is composed Of FIVE mem
bers, one of whom is the governor,
and his only power Is as one member
OF this board.
The letter in part follows:
To His Excellency Governor of Con-
necticut State
The life Of Bernard Montvid is fully
in the hands Of Your Excellency, Be
ing innocent he will be executed or
August 6, 1915, in States prison,
Wethersheld Conn, unless you pre-
vent his execution. You have the
power to change his death penalty
into the life Imprisonment Even thii
punishment viii be too severe fol
him but I don't dare to ask anything
3mpossible OF course. n you vii
take In consideration that a prizes
has been murdered and for the sym
pathy to the clergy will agree to i'm
pose a death penalty, even on an in
nocent person, then no attention vii
be given to this letter petition. Tn
police officers, jury and States at
torney didn't look much for justic
while trying Bernard MoTtvfd be
cause their intention was TO serv
clergy. was watching all procedur
very closely since the arrest of Ber
nard and the following points viii
give you clearer view of the sub
ject.
"As soon as Bernard had been ar
rested and nothing in reality wa
known about his connection with th'
Rev. Joseph Zebris'. of New Britain
murder. all Lithuanian newspaper
published by the priests and their as
sociates started Bernard and gave va
rious announcement which we're OBJ
tained from police departments. TIL
copies Of my letters found with Ber
nard we're mailed to our clerica
newspapers and published. Thre
persons OF Lithuanian progressiv
press we're involved in Bernard
would-be confession. II you onl
could read articles Of our clerica
press you would positively believ
that police department, including MI
Malinowski. made a conspiracy no
only to take Bernard's life but Z
check progressive movement i
Lithuanian nationality. Lithuania
clergy and certain officials of Con
necticut State prepared first degre
for Bernard long before his trial.
Bernard Montvid didn't have III
means for obtaining a good counse
No selection has been offered and
was compelled to be satisfied with tn
counsel appointed He did not vast
on arguments. He was positive this
fbo iurv will helievo Rernard's stor
and therefore everything was done
abriviate the trial. States Attorne
Alcorn was given all opportunit
to agitate the jury. Being an abl
Continued on Page s.