New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-22
Wilmington Police Guard Court
House During His Trial.
SCORES ARE REFUSED ADN|TTANCE
Bernard Montvid Tells Police That
Murderer's Friends Are Present.
Governor Signs Rcquisition Papers
for Connecticut Authorities.
Especial to the Herald.)

Wilmington, Del, March %. Per-
sistent rumors to the effect that
friends Of Peter Krakas, one Of the
alleged murderers Of Rev. Joseph
Zebris and Miss Eva Gilmanaitis in
New Britain, Conn.,, on the night of
February 8 and whose trial for the
murder of Policeman Tierney of the
local police department, opened to-
day, are present in the city and are
determined to make q desperate at
tempt to release him, are causing the
local police to take every possible
precaution to prevent such possi-
bility. Bernard Montvid, Krakas's
accompice, according to his own con-
fession, and who will be turned over
to the Connecticut authorities as soon
as this trial is concluded, in genuine
terror insists that Krakas' friends are
near and will attempt to free him.
Police Guard Every Door.
The special term of the court, called
to try krakas on the murder charge,
convened early this forenoon. The
court room was taxed to it's capacity
with witnesses and curious spectators
and the building was surrounded on
the outside with a couple of thousand
Strong police guards stood before
every door leading into the court
house and everybody entering the
building was closely questioned. Scores
of would-be spectators were turned
away and in the street rumors were
heard on every side concerning a pos
sible attempt to liberate the prisoner
Local Men Witnesses.
Bernard Montvid is a witness
against his one time friend and ac-
complete in crime as are Otto Brief
Their Of $50 Arch street, and Stanley
Ninciniti, of No. 33 Spring street,
with whom the accused men boarded
while in New Britain. Court Inter
prefer Matthew Malinowski, of New
and interpreter
Is Kral<as Using Code:
The state proceeded with it's case
in a business like way and in short
time had impanelled a complete jury.
All during the courr procedure
K~akas manifested absolute indiffer--
ence and set mutely in his chair, his
eyes constantly rowing about the
room and at times his lips muttering
SISTER will be here The police now
suspect that the constant REPETITION
Of SISTER" by the accused has some
special significance since the New
Britain police assert that he received
numerous letters and kilograms while
there in which messages concerning
sister were prominent It is thought
possible that the word is some code
known to other members Of the MUIR
derous gang.
Connected With Other Crimes.
Today both krakas and Montvid
were positively identified as the two
robbers who entered the Brool1Iine,
Mass drug store last November and
murdered the young clerk because he
refused to open the safe for them.
They have also been identified as the
two men who pulled off the daring
$1,000 jewelry, robbery in Baltimore
last fall.
Governor Signs Papers.
All doubt as to the extradition of
Montvid to Connecticut has been set
at rest by Governor Millers signing
the requisition papers. 1t is thought
the Krakas' trial will end sometime
next week, or maybe sooner, and then
Montvid, in custody of State Police
man Hurley and Detective Bamforth,
will leave for the Nutmeg state.
Yesterday both Krakas and Mont
vid were given another dose of the
third degree" at the work house.
Montvid declined to make any further
admissions and the "sweating' had
absolutely no effect on krakas. lie
sat solidly during the proceeding and
continued to feign insanity.